Baltimore Innovation Week, the annual celebration of tech and entrepreneurship, is returning for its 8th year

It’s time to get ready to shine an IRL spotlight on Baltimore’s entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators.

The eighth annual Baltimore Innovation Week (BIW), a celebration of technology, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation communities in and around Baltimore, is taking place from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, 2019.

Since debuting in 2012, BIW has served to gather and promote the city’s tech and entrepreneurship communities.

For the second year, ETC (Emerging Technology Centers) is serving as BIW’s lead organizer after Technical.ly launched it seven years ago. The tech and innovation hub is coordinating various community groups, government partners, and educational institutions to create events that raise awareness of Baltimore’s innovation community.

“ETC has been an active participant in BIW since it’s 2012 inception. ETC has led sessions, planned events, partnered with other ecosystem organizations and been fully supportive of Technical.ly as it highlights the vibrancy and innovation that is and always has been Baltimore,” said ETC President and Executive Director Deborah Tillet. “As one of the forerunners in the City in these areas for over 20 years, ETC is proud to take the lead for the second year in a row as we move this asset forward.”

Each day of BIW will have a distinct lineup of programming. According to ETC, the days will feature official, partner-produced #BIW19 events highlighting local establishments, community groups and startups. Categorized into Track Days​, these are centered around the following categories: Civic, Explore, Science & Education, Creative & Media, Dev, Business and Access.

There’s also a chance to work at one of Baltimore’s blossoming variety of shared spaces. For the third year in a row, local coworking and makerspaces in the city are opening their doors for free drop-in day passes, tours and a caffeine boost as part of Coworking & Coffee​.

BIW officially closes on Friday night at the Innovation Celebration​. The largest party of the week will showcase the city’s forward-focused people, products and organizations. The celebration also serves as a kickoff for the National Society of Black Engineers’ Baltimore Metropolitan Area Chapter’s Minority Innovation Weekend with its own speakers and sessions, culminating in a pitch competition where the top two winners will receive a complimentary six-month membership in the ETC’s IncubateBaltimore ​program.

Last year, over 2,000 attendees participated in 32 events throughout the week including networking, workshops, educational seminars and more.

According to ETC, BIW receives donation and support from sponsors such as the Maryland Department of Commerce. Events are produced by official partners including Baltimore Tree Trust, Break a Difference, University of Baltimore, Startup Maryland, Enradius, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network (BCAN), Harbor Designs and Manufacturing, U.S. Commercial Service, Startup Grind, Innovation Works and Baltimore Development Corporation.

For more information, check out the Baltimore Innovation Week website.