Fill your May calendar with these 10 Baltimore science and business events

Whether you’re looking for traditional rites of passage or more unconventional activities, there’s something for everyone in Baltimore this month. 

One must-visit spot is the Inner Harbor’s curious tent-like structure (see above), where you can learn about the fascinating marine life that calls Baltimore’s waters home. Otherwise, with ten unique and exciting events happening in the city, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest. Don’t miss out on these events: 

Startup Train Meetup: Baltimore (May 4)

Join Midwestern startup-focused organization Lightship for an exciting journey as its so-called Startup Train embarks on a tour of the East Coast. Beginning on May 1, the Startup Train will be visiting Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and DC to connect with startup ecosystem builders, hold office hours and host networking events.

The Startup Train’s inaugural railway journey on the Amtrak Acela arrives in Baltimore on May 4. You’re invited to join Lightship for an evening meetup hosted by EcoMap Technologies. Attendees can network and learn alongside local entrepreneurs, side hustlers, technologists and the Lightship team. Expect to discuss entrepreneurship, the ins and outs of business and technology. 

Board the Lightship Startup Train

Investing For Justice (May 4)

Join Ignite Capital, Innovation Works’ social impact fund, and its special guest Deborah Frieze of Boston Impact Initiative for an evening of insightful discussion and activities. Frieze is a leading figure in place-based impact investing and developed the Integrated Capital Card Deck, a game designed to teach fund managers, funders, impact investors, entrepreneurs and community leaders how to deploy capital to close the racial wealth divide. Attendees can play the game and reference real-life case studies while creatively developing solutions that match various types of capital, transaction structures and impact criteria with social enterprises, small businesses and nonprofits that work toward building a stable and equitable local economy in Baltimore. Food and drinks will be provided. Space is limited.

Join Ignite Capital for a Game Night

Towson University’s Baltimore Nonprofit Summit (May 5)

Although it’s technically sold out, we still thought you should have this on your radar: Towson University is hosting the inaugural Baltimore Nonprofit Summit, which is pointed at strengthening and supporting community-based organizations in Greater Baltimore — particularly Black- and minority-led ones. Keynote speaker Danielle Torain, the former OSI-Baltimore Director, will be accompanied by local experts like CLLCTIVLY cofounder and CEO Jamye Wooten. The event aims to demystify the funding process while helping attendees build action plans and network. Attendees will collaborate to solve problems impacting Black- and minority-led nonprofits. 

Learn More about TU’s First Nonprofit Summit

IMET Open House (May 6)

We hinted at this when we told Technical.ly readers how MICA UP/Start finalists prepared for their live finale event (and in the image at the top of this article). The Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) will open its doors for a free open house on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. This event is a fantastic opportunity for all ages to enjoy hands-on science, meet IMET’s scientists and learn about the important marine research happening at the harbor’s edge.

Attendees can take a behind-the-scenes tour of IMET’s Aquaculture Research Center to see fish and crabs up close, explore dance and science with performances by IMET’s artist-in-residence, and even peer into microscopes to discover the living creatures in the harbor.

The event also features activities like learning to use research tools like microscopes and pipettes to sample DNA, meeting with graduate students to learn what it’s like to be a scientist and much more. IMET’s scientists are engaged in cutting-edge research in microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology, making important discoveries and developing new treatments for cancer and alternative fuels from algae found in the Chesapeake Bay.

Register for the IMET Open House

Dent Education: Transition Celebration + Spring Showcase (May 10)

Join Dent Education for the STEM literacy organization’s sixth birthday. The celebration will also recognize Dent’s new HQ and a recent leadership transition. Meet Dent’s newest board members and hear from participants about their work and creations over the last year. Don’t miss Rajan Patel’s “not-so-goodbye” party as he transitions from Dent CEO to the board, and celebrate the org’s future with new leaders including CEO Micky Wolf and Chief Programs Officer Hailey Jordan. 

Celebrate With Dent Education

May Open House: Graves School of Business Masters Programs (May 11) 

Are you interested in advancing your business education? The Graves School of Business and Management at Morgan State University invites you to discover many available opportunities. As a student of the Graves School, attendees might gain a strong liberal arts foundation and develop a diverse set of business skills to thrive in domestic and global settings. Morgan offers rigorous and relevant programs, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The faculty, 90 percent of whom the school’s website says hold a Ph.D. in their discipline, bring years of experience from the business world and community engagement to their teaching. 

RSVP for the May Open House

Culture as Cure: Baltimore Rites of Passage Forum (May 13)

Join MENTOR Maryland | DC for Culture as Cure, the first convening in over a decade (according to the Eventbrite description) dedicated to uplifting the powerful practice of rites of passage for Black boys across Baltimore City. Hosted both by MENTOR MD | DC and the Baltimore Rites of Passage Initiative, the event will give attendees the chance to participate in workshops like “Conducting Rites of Passage Work in the School Setting” and “What is Manhood? An Essential for African Centered Rites.” It aims to provide a functional definition and understanding of the concept of manhood, as well as an overview of the Rites of Passage process and framework that can help young Black boys and men cultivate healthy masculine expression while accessing personal power. Additionally, workshops on African Centered Social Work, lunch and a keynote by Dr. Ray Winbush, author of “The Warrior Method,” will all be available at the Baltimore Unity Hall.

Join MENTOR MD | DC

JHU Social Innovation Lab Showcase (May 18)

Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures‘ Social Innovation Lab (SIL) takes an entrepreneurial approach to addressing issues with innovation and social impact, and this year’s cohort promises to deliver. The 2023 Innovation Showcase will feature 10 exceptional teams, with prizes totaling $24,000 up for grabs. Three teams hail from Johns Hopkins University, while the other seven represent the greater Baltimore community. Led by diverse and dynamic founders of color, including 90% female entrepreneurs, the teams are developing cutting-edge solutions for a range of social issues. From Sew Bromo’s fashion education incubator to Fosterpreneur’s employment opportunities and skill training for foster care youth and alumni, these teams aim to make a real difference in their communities. At the showcase, you can learn more and cast your vote for the Audience Choice Award. After the showcase, SIL Interim Director Anthony Watters invites attendees to stick around for networking and food.

Register for the SIL Showcase

3rd Annual BioBuzz Awards Celebration & Symposium (May 18)

Join BioBuzz and industry leaders for the Annual Awards Celebration & Symposium at City Garage Science & Technology Center. This event will celebrate the achievements of individuals, programs and organizations that support the success of our communities and the life sciences industry as a whole. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon of programming, followed by a networking reception with professionals and leaders from Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia and beyond. Limited tickets are available.

Register for the BioBuzz Symposium

UpRise MASTERCLASS: Building Your Startup in a Tough Market (May 23)

Join Adam Phillips, managing director of the Techstars Equitech Accelerator, for the “UpRise MASTERCLASS: Building Your Startup in a Tough Market.” In this session, entrepreneurs will supplement their knowledge of how to thrive in today’s challenging business landscape by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities and making the right decisions when the going gets tough. This class will be held in person prior to UpSurge Baltimore’s Equitech Tuesday event, which is a weekly happy hour that creates intentional spaces for connection, networking, and conversations within the Baltimore tech community. No RSVP is necessary for Equitech Tuesday, which commences at 6 p.m. that evening at Guilford Hall Brewery.

Register for this UpRise MASTERCLASS