Baltimore weekly roundup: CareFirst accelerator rebrands; $100M wishlist for Johns Hopkins; EDA bid reflections

From video games to the C-suite

When Eliot Pearson was a kid, he had two central passions: Legos and video games. Those two pastimes paved a path for his tech career, he told Technical.ly.

“That did set me up for having this kind of analytical approach to, ‘Hey, how does this really work?’” said Pearson.

The technologist, who was born in Towson and grew up in the Baltimore area, has worked at prominent companies like AOL and Verizon, as well as technical training firm Catalyte and advertising tech company Enradius. Now, he’s working for the government of Baltimore County’s Office of Information Technology, where he oversees various applications used by staff and residents.

His main piece of advice for those interested in a similar path? Communication, he told Technical.ly editor Sameer Rao for our How I Got Here series.

➡️ Learn more about Eliot Pearson’s career in Sameer’s Q&A.

A healthtech accelerator rebrands

The innovation division of mid-Atlantic insurance provider CareFirst is switching up its signature health tech entrepreneurship program with a new name and new programming.

The Healthworx Accelerator, a rebranded version of the former 1501 Health, now operates as a three-month program instead of the previous year-long format. Applications for the cohort will open in late July, and pre-seed and seed firms are encouraged to apply.

Leaders are working on finalizing the curriculum, but plan for cohort members to learn about pricing strategy, contracting models and compliance requirements.

“Healthcare is a field that is unbelievably complicated — especially when it comes to startups working with large payers and large health systems,” said Soo Jeon, who runs the accelerator. “There are so many pieces involved. We purposely focus on the nitty-gritty pieces that aren’t sexy and don’t necessarily relate to growing your business because they are fundamental to working in healthcare.”

➡️ Check out the plans for the new accelerator in my latest report.

Banking the innovation economy

Managing cash flow and understanding financials can make or break a business. By leveraging smart tech and decades of expertise, J.P. Morgan gives early-stage startups (pre-Series A) and venture-backed and high-growth companies (Series A+) the agility needed to make secure, real-time efficient decisions. Whatever stage you’re at, these professionals can find solutions that fit your scale and need.

With offices around the globe, this is banking that understands the startup mindset, and helps your business thrive.

➡️ Learn more about what J.P. Morgan offers

This sponsored blurb supports our journalism. Want to see your message here? Contact sales@technical.ly

News Incubator: What else to know today

• The Baltimore Tech Hub was not selected for Phase 2 of the US Economic Development Administration’s program to boost innovation in cities. But this is only a temporary setback, writes the CEO of UpSurge Baltimore. [Technical.ly]

• A Baltimore City Council member sent a $100 million wishlist to Johns Hopkins University during negotiations for its new AI center. It included contributions to improve nearby neighborhoods and an affordable housing trust fund. An advocacy group says this kind of deal-making is common, but not ideal. [Baltimore Banner]

• Hellenic Cables, the American subsidiary of a Belgian industrial investment firm, announced it will build a $300 million cable manufacturing plant to develop offshore wind developments. [Baltimore Biz Journal]

• The Maryland Department of Commerce appointed Delegate Carl Anderton its new director of rural economic strategy. [Maryland Department of Commerce]

• The AI company Rekor Systems Inc., based in Columbia, is the fastest-growing company in the region. Its revenue jumped from $19.9 million in 2022 to $34.9 million in 2023. [Baltimore Biz Journal]

• On Johns Hopkins’ Homewood campus, about 40 people operate a key telescope as part of the Space Telescope Science Institute. [Baltimore Banner]

🗓️ On the Calendar