These 5 early-stage startups made it into the 2022 AccelerateBaltimore cohort

Working on products ranging from dating to medical devices, five Baltimore ventures have been picked for the next AccelerateBaltimore class.

Under the tutelage of new Program Director Brendan McAdams, these early-stage startups will become sales machines over the next 13 weeks in the ETC (Emerging Technology Centers) seed accelerator.

Supported by the Abell Foundation, the five startups selected for program — now in its 10th year — receive $50,000 in funding, access to advisors, weekly group sessions and one-on-one coaching. The program is agnostic about specific industries or verticals a company is working in, but it is seeking early-stage companies building a scalable tech product that can benefit meaningfully from the investment.

“If they can get those early customers on board, the right ones, it’s going to position them really well,” said McAdams about the sales and marketing emphasis of this year’s accelerator curriculum. “If they do want to go out and pitch for additional funding or they want to start hiring, they’re in a position to do so from a position of strength, in the sense they’ve got more revenue, customers and market validation.”

Here’s the 2022 cohort, made up of five companies that made it through an 110-applicant pool:

• 6DGRS, a dating app that focuses on “friends over algorithms” by using your network to matchmake with other singles
• BUKU, which wants to be the Airbnb or Uber of private yachts, jet skis and boats
• G-Haven eSports, which aims to activate gamers with a social impact purpose
• Impathi uses AI and deep learning to identify patients who need hospice early in disease progression to ease costs and help them navigate their end-of-life journey earlier.
• Opal HTM, Inc. uses a patented system of wireless sensors to optimize medical equipment management and upkeep.