Baltimore weekly roundup: Pava LaPere’s student innovation legacy; ‘Cyber ranges’ at college; BDEC director departs

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A cybersecurity training center’s $3.6M project

BCR Cyber is partnering with the Maryland Association of Community Colleges to provide technology and to train students, with a goal to roll out programming in the spring. The training center has already been doing this work: It’s trained about 1,000 students over the last five years using what it calls “cyber ranges” — inspired by the Israel Defense Force, the tech was developed by a private Israeli company. 

“The Israelis were at the forefront of this technology,” BCR Cyber President Michael Spector told me. “The range that they utilize is incredibly advanced. It’s very sophisticated.” 

➡️ Learn more about the multi-million dollar program and how it’ll work

Digital equity org’s leader departs

The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition former executive director, Cody Dorsey, announced his departure earlier this month. In an email to BDEC members, he noted several accomplishments such as advocating digital equity plans with Gov. Moore’s administration and working with local partners on device distribution and WiFi hotspot projects. 

“Our coalition has had an exceptional journey, evolving intentionally from a ‘rapid response’ initiative to a formidable influence in advocacy and education,” Dorsey wrote. “Now the time has come for me to write the next chapter of my own journey.”

In other Baltimore leadership news, EcoMap Technologies announced former UpSurge Baltimore CEO Jamie McDonald is joining its board of directors, and TEDCO has a new vice president of Innovation Connections. 

➡️ Get all the details on recent local Power Moves here

Social media as news platform

More people than ever are getting local news from social media. About 23% of Americans say it’s their primary source, per the latest Pew survey, up from 15% half a decade ago — and the younger you are, the more likely that is. That’s one reason Technical.ly is on these platforms. At least some of them.

Our latest move is to start posting regularly on Threads — follow us at @technical_ly — but we’re also heavily active on LinkedIn, which makes sense as the innovation ecosystem’s platform of choice, since it’s so heavily business-focused. We’re rethinking our strategy for Instagram (if you have suggestions, let us know) and are also still posting on Facebook. Last note: As of this week, we’re moving all X posts to our main account instead of market-specific feeds, so if you’re still there, give that a follow.

➡️ Thanks for reading — see you on LinkedIn?

News Incubator: What else to know

• A longtime colleague and friend of Pava LaPere, the late founder and CEO of EcoMap Technologies, writes about her powerful legacy in student innovation.  [Technical.ly]

•  According to a recent study, the Baltimore region is the best place to live for recent graduates — thanks to a large proportion of jobs. [ADP]

•  The 2024 Inc. 5000 rankings have some Maryland representation: Baltimore federal contractor Dobbs Defense Solutions, specializing in IT and cybersecurity, is ranked 376. [Inc.]

•  Investment company Techstars announced it’s ending its accelerator program in DC and other cities and laying off a chunk of its workforce. This does not affect the Equitech Accelerator in Baltimore. [Technical.ly]

• In the trial against the neo-Nazi leader accused of planning to attack Baltimore’s power grid, the feds will not use evidence gathered using the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. [Baltimore Sun]

•  This Baltimore native is helping small businesses establish their own brands, including creating logos and websites. [Baltimore Banner]

• County agencies and employees in Maryland should be cautious when dealing with requests under the state’s Public Information Act, officials say, after malware scams in Virginia. [Maryland Matters]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Aug 20: UpSurge Baltimore brings the next Equitech Tuesday to Guilford Hall Brewery to cover inclusive innovation. [Details here]

• Aug. 24: Baltimore Code & Coffee is celebrating its fifth anniversary. [Details here]

• Sept. 4: CharmCityJS hosts its monthly meetup for programmers and developers. [Details here]