Baltimore daily roundup: Leadership changes down I-95; the meetup’s comeback; Johns Hopkins APL’s $12B of Pentagon funds

Naval innovation gets a new captain

Our latest DC Power Moves highlights recent personnel changes in the DMV area, ranging from government appointments to private sector hires. Among the notable transitions are the US Navy’s new innovation director and NextNav’s COO.

These and other shifts reflect a trend of expanding leadership teams and strategic hires across various regional sectors in the region.

➡️ Read more about the latest Power Moves from my DC colleague Kaela Roeder.

Don’t call it a comeback (or do)

Tech meetups are gradually coming back from the pandemic, with organizers eager to reconnect and foster community. Events like the recent Super Meetup during Philly Tech Week 2024, sponsored by Comcast, attracted dozens of attendees seeking networking opportunities and skill development. Organizers emphasized the value of these gatherings not just for networking, but also for acquiring new skills.

➡️ Learn about the return of meetups from my Philly colleague Sarah Huffman.

News Incubator: What else to know today

• Baltimore’s partnership between the public, private and nonprofit sectors is paving the way for tackling the digital divide and bringing those solutions nationwide, according to a new op-ed. [Baltimore Sun]

• Pro-Palestine demonstrators at Johns Hopkins University are calling for the school to sever ties with the Department of Defense, which has allocated $12 billion to a university research lab over the past decade. [Baltimore Banner]

• Fearless welcomed former Catalyte CEO Jacob Hsu and ex-Salesforce VP Joe Paiva as executive board chair and COO, respectively. [Fearless]

• The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is inviting applications for its next dockless vehicle permit, allowing a new scooter company to operate in the city starting in July. The sudden closure of Superpedestrian, which provided yellow Link scooters, presents an opportunity for another company to fill the gap. [Baltimore Banner]

• The University of Maryland Medical System has introduced new signage atop the former Pandora office tower on West Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore.  [Baltimore Sun]

🗓️ On the Calendar

Welcome to the daily roundup of the latest from Baltimore's tech and entrepreneurship scene. Want this in your inbox? Subscribe for free.