News Roundup: March 2012

Some big news and events in Baltimore this month and unfortunately I haven’t had the time to cover everything. Instead, I’ve put together a recap of some of the big news items that have happened this month. As always, you can follow us on Twitter for real-time updates, @StartupBmore.
I’ve also got some exciting news to share very soon about the future of Startup Baltimore. Dedicated, front-page coverage of Baltimore’s tech + startup ecosystem is just around the corner!
And now, the news:

AccelerateBaltimore has Announced its Inaugural Class of Startups

The four startups that have been picked are: Flying Pig Digital, Hooopla, NoBadGift.com, and Unbound Concepts. The accelerator is being run by the ETC in Canton, made possible through a grant from the Abell Foundation.
More info: http://bmo.re/GZBRBw

Startup Maryland Launches (tomorrow) March 30th

Startup Maryland has announced that it will formally launch its effort to ignite entrepreneurship at a kick-off event March 30th at the UMD Entrepreneurship Invitational.
More info: http://bmo.re/GZHPCl

Loyola has Partnered with Wasabi Ventures to Launch Accelerator

Loyola University Maryland announced the initiative which will create a forum for the University to collaborate with local entrepreneurs interested in creating and building new businesses. The accelerator will be located in the Govans community in North Baltimore, just east of Loyola’s North Charles Street campus.
More info: http://bmo.re/HmGa9y

Blackboard has Acquired Moodlerooms

Moodlerooms, one of the world’s largest open-source education service providers and graduate of the ETC in Canton, has successfully exited out of “startup” status through this acquisition. Now located in Federal Hill, Moodlerooms intends to keep their name, continue to operate independently, and most importantly stay in Baltimore!
More info: http://bmo.re/HkkO8z

Gov O’Malley Announces InvestMaryland, an $84 Million Fund For Maryland Startups

Maryland is the first state in the nation to use an online auction to raise funds for the venture capital program, InvestMaryland, which will deploy the first round of funds to seed early stage companies this summer.
More info: http://bmo.re/H4dCRy

ETC has Hired Deb Tillett as New President & CEO

Ann Lansinger, who has run the ETC since its creation in 1999, is retiring this year and will be replaced by the veteran video game industry executive.
More info: http://bmo.re/Hu5gzY

Digital Harbor Foundation has Created the EdTech Link

The Digital Harbor Foundation has announced the EdTech Link, a program and fellowship opportunity linking teacher professional development to student after school programming in the areas of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The program will begin in June 2012.
More info: http://bmo.re/Hu6F9q

Abell Foundation and TEDCO have created the “Propel Baltimore” Fund

The fund, which has now reached $4.3 million, will pump needed capital into Baltimore city startups. TEDCO will start accepting applications on April 2nd.
More info at: http://bmo.re/GZRx5i
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If you’ve got some of your own news to share, please feel free to use the comments below.