Baltimore leaders in tech and entrepreneurship set to speak at Technical.ly’s Builders Conference

Technical.ly’s annual convening of tech, startup, business development and innovation leaders isn’t just a Philly affair — instead, it’s filled with panelists and guests from all over the country, especially Charm City. 

The Builders Conference, a two-day event focused on building local tech and entrepreneurial ecosystems, will feature several speakers and attendees from Maryland and Baltimore. We’re expecting technologists and entrepreneurs from more than 20 states (and DC). 

If you want to take part in a hands-on AI workshop or learn more about how to make innovation accessible, make sure to swing by Philadelphia from May 8 to 9. 

Here’s a look at some of who’s attending the conference from the Baltimore region: 

• Smitha Gopal, the COO at EcoMap Technologies, will speak on a panel about how ecosystem building is a job now. The startup creates tools to help businesses be able to access entrepreneurial resources and aims to boost local economic development groups across the country. Gopal will appear alongside Michael Binko of Startup America and Tammi Thomas of TEDCO.
• Jason Perry, the chief AI officer of PerryLabs and a senior advisor with the World Trade Center Institute, will host an AI basics workshop — be sure to bring your laptop.  
• Lakey Boyd, chief economic officer of the regional economic development-focused Greater Baltimore Committee, will speak on a panel about centering people in storytelling about regions. 
• Maryland Momentum Fund’s managing director Mike Ravenscroft will appear on a panel about navigating options for business exits, whether through a merger or acquisition, or an initial public offering. 
• Micky Wolf, the CEO at the student entrepreneurship-focused nonprofit Dent Education, will be discussing how to make innovation more accessible and equitable through storytelling. CEO Naomi Winston of The Creative Representation Empire, a startup creating coloring books and programs for educational and representational purposes, will also speak on this panel.
• Barry Wright, chief of staff for the wellness company Noom and board president of Highwire Improv, will participate in a panel on honing business pitches.
• Alanah Nichole Davis, Technical.ly’s former Baltimore reporter and the City of Baltimore’s chief storyteller, will feature on a panel on AI tools in storytelling. She appears alongside Tim Kulp, the chief innovation officer of the software consultancy Mind over Machines.
• Stephen Babcock, a longtime Technical.ly reporter and editor in Baltimore that now leads the national security-focused consultancy Intake Media, will speak on another session about AI tools for early-stage founders.
• Matt Hayes, the president of UAV energy solution provider Unmanned Propulsion Development, will discuss avoiding common legal pitfalls as a startup founder.