Baltimore weekly roundup: 15 technologists to track; Venture for America shutters; EDA Tech Hub funds revisited

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Meet Baltimore’s top technologists

The latest edition of this annual honorific series features 15 local leaders making a difference in the Baltimore region beyond their everyday work, from serving on nonprofit boards to organizing meetups. 

We put this list together with the help of readers’ nominations, as well as our own research and past reporting. You’ll see technologists hailing from NASA, Johns Hopkins and Fearless in this year’s installation. 

➡️ Meet Baltimore’s 2024 RealLIST Engineers here

Venture for America suddenly closes

Since Andrew Yang created the organization nearly 13 years ago, Venture for America has placed over a thousand aspiring entrepreneurs in positions with startups across the country. Many of those college grads, as we’ve reported before, worked in Baltimore. You might be one of them. 

Now, the Detroit-based organization has shuttered its operations and laid off 15 staffers as its board looks at potential restructuring. 

“Due to the challenging economic environment, there has been a decline in venture funding for company partners, impacting both revenue and fellow placements,” CEO Carrie Murphy said. “Together with economic headwinds and shifting priorities, this has led to ongoing fundraising challenges.”

➡️ Learn more about VFA’s past issues and present closure here. 

It’s inaugural Baltimore Coworking Week

If you’re looking to explore the coworking opportunities available in Baltimore, now’s your chance. Four locations are offering deals all week long — including free day passes at ImpactHub, The Cube (use code COWEEK) or Co_Lab (say BCW at the desk). Spark is doing a $10 day pass all week plus a freebie on Friday.

There’s also several special events, including tonight’s Queering Coworking and Thursday’s thought leaders panel looking at how the city’s coworking culture evolved.

➡️ From single desk rentals to private offices

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News Incubator: What else to know

• Want to score some of the $700 billion federal government contracting pie? Build a mission-first mindset, writes the CEO of a Baltimore County-based federal services provider. [Technical.ly]

• The Greater Baltimore Committee is gearing up for the next round of bidding in the federal Tech Hubs Program after the region wasn’t granted funding in the previous round. [Baltimore Sun/Technical.ly]

• The Fulton-based startup foundry DataTribe is accepting applications for its 2024 Cybersecurity Startup Challenge. Five startups will work with cyber entrepreneurs to hone pitches, and then present to potential investors in November. [DataTribe]

• After a public works employee collapsed and died from heatstroke last week in northeast Baltimore, union leaders and city officials are calling for safer working conditions in the summer heat. [The AP]

• Cambium, a Baltimore County firm that uses fallen and old trees for construction projects and furniture, acquired an arborist company to expand its lumber supply. [Baltimore Biz Journal]

• The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s headquarters will be in West Baltimore as part of the proposed Reservoir Square redevelopment project. It’ll feature a career center with classrooms and upgraded technology learning labs. [Mayor Scott]

• Maryland Democrats have praise for Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. [Baltimore Sun]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Aug 8: The nonprofit Dent Education is hosting its 8th annual youth innovation showcase. [Details here]

• Aug. 9: Get the details about Maryland’s Online Data Privacy Act and new protections for residents. [Details here]

• Aug. 10: Baltimore Code & Coffee is holding a workshop for developers about how to communicate and advocate for yourself and your work. [Details here]

• Aug. 14: Baltimore Climate Tech Meetup is hosting lightning talks and a dinner at Morgan State University. [Details here]