Baltimore Power Moves: United Way of Central Maryland launches a new entrepreneurship program

United Way and The Lonely Entrepreneur launch a new accelerator

United Way of Central Maryland and The Lonely Entrepreneur have joined forces to support entrepreneurs in Greater Baltimore through the Social Impact Accelerator.

This program will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with free access to The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community, offering knowledge, tools and support for starting or growing a business. The program is made possible through the support of United Way, corporate partners and philanthropic organizations with a focus on equity, diversity and corporate social responsibility.

Initially, the partnership will be open to United Way’s Changemaker Challenge alumni, who received grants totaling $500,000 in 2021 to develop programs benefiting the region. Grantees included Alston for Athletes, B-360, The Harford Community College Foundation,  The Pro Bono Counseling Project, Safe Alternative Foundation for Education and Sharp Dressed Man, among others.

Stephen Babcock joins Squadra Ventures as Head of Media

Babcock during his Technical.ly days.

Former Technical.ly Deputy Managing Editor Stephen Babcock recently came onto the staff of Baltimore-based venture fund Squadra Ventures, for whose company portfolio he will spearhead media strategy, content and events. As he said in a LinkedIn announcement, he is combining his experience in reporting, editing and product development into this new position.

“The journey in media continues,” he said in the LinkedIn post.

Babcock comes to this position after serving with the ecommerce-focused publication The Current as its editor-in-chief.

A robotics talent pipeline in Carroll County

Two high school students who completed the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory’s (MAGIC) robotics internship program have secured gainful employment with local companies. The internships were facilitated by both MAGIC and Dynamic Dimension Technologies (DDT).

Caydon Selmer, a graduate of Winters Mill High School, received a Level 2 Robotics Technician certification from MAGIC and will work part-time for Mach while pursuing a degree at Carroll Community College. Piper Dickson, a Century High School graduate, interned with DDT and was hired by the company; she will continue her work in 3D modeling before attending Brigham Young University on a full scholarship.

Both Selmer and Dickson collaborated on the Duckietown robotics program at the Autonomous Robotics Innovation Center, along with five other Carroll County Public Schools students, last semester.

A new leader helms the Howard County Economic Development Authority

Jennifer Jones has been appointed as the new CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. Jones brings experience from the private and public sectors, with a background in engineering, business and law.

According to a press release, her appointment was unanimously approved by the HCEDA’s Board of Directors and she will assume her role on July 5.