Startups

Baltimore Innovation Week 2021 showcases the city’s blossoming entrepreneurs. Check out the sessions

BIW 2021 is set for three full days of virtual programming from May 18 to 20. The free sessions include how-tos, community conversations and a chance to meet the people (and pets) behind the city's rising companies.

Access Day at #BIW19 featured a panel of social entrepreneurs. (Photo by Margaret Roth)

The fast-moving changes and challenges of 2020 brought a need to adjust plans quickly and rise to meet the moment. In 2021, society is seeking to reemerge, but we know some of the new developments of the last year will be lasting.

In other words, it’s a time to let innovation come to the forefront.

So it’s fitting that Baltimore Innovation Week will return for a virtual celebration of the local tech community this spring. From May 18 to 20, the free event series will feature programming that spotlights the city’s companies, and offers an inside look at how they are building solutions.

Lead organizer ETC (Emerging Technology Centers) has teamed with more than 20 partners to bring together a calendar of independently produced events that put a spotlight on the local startups and entrepreneurs working to shape worldwide responses.

The three-day Baltimore Innovation Week in the spring follows a daylong celebration in fall 2020 that served as an initial look at how companies were pivoting and learning. With wider breadth, the calendar includes sessions with software developers, scientists, marketing pros, investors, youth leaders, educators, legal experts and plenty of other local community builders.

“The intention and attention this BIW is to truly highlight innovation,” ETC President Deb Tillett said. “Due to the pandemic and yearlong changes in life and lifestyle, innovation has become essential.”

Register here

“Another goal is to spread awareness on the tools and resources that the local community have been utilizing to overcome all types of challenges and highlight forward thinkers and game changers,” added ETC Marketing and Engagement Manager Celene Monroe. “We want to create an inclusive, diverse, innovation community and space for real conversations, connections, and, hopefully, positive change.”

Each day has a mix of content providing a look at the community from all sides. Get tactical with how-to sessions with tips for businesses on topics like financing, marketing and podcasting. Get a deeper look at the contours of Baltimore’s community with conversations on inclusion, perspective from local incubators and stories from local entrepreneurs from all walks of life. And make sure to stick around for some fun each day that goes beyond work, like a top local VC’s bread-baking demo and a yappy hour to meet the very good dogs behind the best local startups.

Here’s a look at the full slate of sessions, with daily schedules running 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Register for each independently:

Tuesday, May 18

Wednesday, May 19

Thursday, May 20

Companies: Emerging Technology Centers (ETC Baltimore)

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