Civic News
Advanced Manufacturing Month

Despite EDA decision, the Baltimore Tech Hub is still possible: Kory Bailey

One of the ecosystem’s biggest boosters says the government’s Phase 2 funding snub is only a temporary setback.

UpSurge Baltimore CEO Kory Bailey speaks with attendees at the Equitech Tuesday gathering on July 2, 2024 (Ian Harpool/Harpool Media)

In early July, the US Economic Development Administration announced 12 federally designated Tech Hubs will receive a total of $504 million in implementation funding for their Phase 2 proposals, part of the multi-phase Tech Hubs program that aims to spread $10 billion in federal funding across the 31 Phase 1 awardees (including Baltimore) with the goal of accelerating U.S. innovation and global competitiveness.

The Baltimore Tech Hub was not selected for Phase 2 funding.

As one of the biggest champions for entrepreneurs, startups and tech as the people, companies and instrument for equitable economic growth, I was disappointed by the decision. 

But then something happened — a moment of critical hope that proved we are indeed living the “equitech” vision

The day we found out, we did what we always do in Baltimore. We came together! Over 60 tech founders, leaders and community members gathered at Equitech Tuesday to lessen the blow, to lift each other up, to talk about the path forward and to collectively get back to work.

A group of people socializing outdoors in an alleyway with benches and tables, some holding drinks.

The crowd at Equitech Tuesday on July 2, 2024 (Ian Harpool/Harpool Media)

Ask Gov. Wes Moore. Partnership is not a buzzword in Maryland. It is a way of life. No one can solve centuries-long problems and capitalize on generational opportunities alone. 

Ask Mark Anthony Thomas. Collaboration is no longer fleeting in Baltimore. We embrace it. Rallying communities, including diverse voices, capturing data and shifting narratives is hard. It takes time. 

Ask any of our brilliant startup founders, especially those that identify as women, as people of color or who find themselves anywhere outside an established tech hub. Building teams, creating culture and nurturing transformational change takes a village.

As the ecosystem builder for the Baltimore Tech Hub, UpSurge Baltimore is proud to partner with the Greater Baltimore Committee to support the Tech Hubs program. 

The time to step up, take big swings and contribute to collective impact is NOW!

We’re proud of the proposal put forth by our consortium. 48+ organizations and institutions across the region came together to craft four ambitious and interconnected projects leveraging physical space, regional networks and partnerships to produce the world’s most advanced technologies at the intersection of biotech, AI and predictive healthcare, along with a diverse and dynamic set of entrepreneurs, innovative startups and highly-prepared workforce of the future unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

In order to sustain the momentum we’ve created in the three years since UpSurge’s launch, continue the progress we have made together in the past year and give the Baltimore Tech Hub the best possible chance to win a share of the estimated $4 billion in federal funding scheduled to be awarded in 2025, we need all of our public and private sector leaders to be ALL IN.

Let’s unleash every form of capital we have at our disposal, most importantly, active participation and significant funding. In-kind resources and short-sighted philanthropic support is not enough. 

The time to step up, take big swings and contribute to collective impact is NOW!

Who’s in?

This is a guest post by Kory Bailey, the CEO of UpSurge Baltimore. It originated as a post on his LinkedIn page and is republished with permission.
Companies: UpSurge Baltimore / Economic Development Administration

Before you go...

Please consider supporting Technical.ly to keep our independent journalism strong. Unlike most business-focused media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational support.

3 ways to support our work:
  • Contribute to the Journalism Fund. Charitable giving ensures our information remains free and accessible for residents to discover workforce programs and entrepreneurship pathways. This includes philanthropic grants and individual tax-deductible donations from readers like you.
  • Use our Preferred Partners. Our directory of vetted providers offers high-quality recommendations for services our readers need, and each referral supports our journalism.
  • Use our services. If you need entrepreneurs and tech leaders to buy your services, are seeking technologists to hire or want more professionals to know about your ecosystem, Technical.ly has the biggest and most engaged audience in the mid-Atlantic. We help companies tell their stories and answer big questions to meet and serve our community.
The journalism fund Preferred partners Our services
Engagement

Join our growing Slack community

Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

Trending

Interactive timeline: top moments from Baltimore’s challenging yet inspiring year in tech

Baltimore is setting a national standard for diversifying its economy

19 tech and entrepreneurship events to check out before the holidays

Tech lab space opening in new 4MLK building, thanks to $2M in public funds

Technically Media