Baltimore weekly roundup: Luigi Mangione’s tech career; local innovation, by the numbers; $7M for infrastructure projects

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Tech worker charged in insurance CEO’s death

Since last week, Luigi Mangione’s alleged actions have inspired a mix of outrage, venting of frustrations with the healthcare system and enthusiastic support. They’ve also shone a light on his life in tech before his arrest. 

The Gilman School alumnus has worked in tech roles since 2014, first as a cofounder and lead programmer for the gaming app development company AppRoar Studios in Baltimore. Mangione also held internships as a robotics researcher at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and a UI programming intern at Firaxis Games.

➡️ Read more about Luigi Mangione’s local tech ties

Learn all about Baltimore innovation from us

Despite being in one of the most educated states, plus housing a robust and experienced tech workforce, Baltimore doesn’t top many lists of major tech and startup hubs. Why? 

There are several reasons, including the city’s population decline and rotten ratings for economic mobility among poor residents. But there are ways to make its strengths, like its powerful research infrastructure, more palpable, Technical.ly CEO Chris Wink writes in this expansive new report. 

➡️ Learn about Baltimore’s tech-filled 2024 and download our report here

News Incubator: What else to know

• What will Baltimore look like in 250 years? Check out our ideas and add your own thoughts. [Technical.ly]

• Applications are open for the Maryland Soft Landing Exchange Program, which helps businesses in the state expand to go abroad. [Dept. of Commerce]

• Content creators are reckoning with a looming TikTok ban — and fearing a loss of community more than money. [Technical.ly]

• After an initial launch in Baltimore City, Maryland Department of Transportation is beginning to use AI to improve traffic flow throughout the state. [StateScoop] 

• State of Maryland-founded TEDCO announced $7 million to fund several projects across the state, many of them related to infrastructure. In Baltimore City, medtech accelerator LaunchPort landed about $275,000 for two projects, and Early Charm won $1.2 million. [TEDCO]

• A new $32 million health and wellness center broke ground in East Baltimore. The Southern Streams Health and Wellness Center is expected to open in two years. [Baltimore Business Journal]

• Gov. Wes Moore said he supports allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores. [Baltimore Banner]

Introducing the Technical.ly Map of Innovation Ecosystems

ust about every region in the United States has somebody with a plan for entrepreneurs and tech workers. Where are they, and how do they compare? That’s where our new tool — we’ve been calling it the iMap — comes in handy.

The resource offers a snapshot of each region, and features the debut of the Technical.ly Innovation Index, which uses several weights to better understand regional strengths. In this inaugural rendition, we use five inputs to assess regions: research and development spending; total regional startup value; ease of doing business rankings; economic mobility and cost of living. How does it all shake out?

➡️ Check out the index and explore the map

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Attend a holiday party for materials science and engineering professionals on Dec. 13 at Glass Pavilion. [Details here]

• Meet and learn from fellow developers at Baltimore Code and Coffee’s recurring meetup on Dec. 14.  [Details here]

• Hidden Genius Project is hosting a coding event for youth on Dec. 14. [Details here]

• Partner Event: Got office holiday party FOMO? Technical.ly is thrilled to join Spark Baltimore as co-host of Every Startup’s Holiday Party with UpSurge on Dec. 17. [Details here]

• Partner Event: Connect with and learn from fellow founders and technologists from underrepresented groups, as well as a range of employers, at the Techsgiving Summit from Dec. 11 to 14. [Details here]