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MEET THE 2022 COHORT

5 COMPANIES WERE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 13-WEEK PROGRAM WITH $50,000 FUNDING EACH

 
 

ACCELERATEBALTIMORE CAN LAUNCH YOUR STARTUP TO THE NEXT LEVEL

AccelerateBaltimore is an initiative of the ETC (Emerging Technology Centers), Baltimore’s award winning incubator, and The Abell Foundation. ETC stands with the activists, change-makers, and problem-solvers - we want to work with you to create impactful solutions and improve the lives of Baltimore citizens and beyond.

This year’s AB program is driven by the belief that Baltimore is currently critically challenged in ways entrepreneurs are poised to address. This is a unique opportunity for 5 startups to have everything they need to get to market quickly; access to resources, advice, and $50K in seed funding? We’re here to help make a change - now is the time to dream big, step up, voice your ideas, and get to work!

5

STARTUP COMPANIES

13

WEEKLY SESSIONS

$50K

IN SEED FUNDING

MEET THE COHORT

After careful consideration, all five companies below were selected by a panel of judges from a diverse cross-section of professionals:

 
 

6DGRS

6DGRS Inc is a relationship platform that leverages your network to match you with quality, vetted singles, and rewards successful “matchmakers” with cash prizes. Our “Friends over algorithms” technology empowers the people that know you best to support you by making safe, verified introductions with other qualified singles. We are committed to facilitating healthier connections that are grounded in the community and rooted in trust and security.

Marcus Finley & Chelsea Nichols, Co-Founders

BUKU

Buku connects licensed captains and boat owners to give paying customers instant access to private yachts, jet skis, toys, and all types of water fun. Like Uber and AirB&B, but on the water, it helps boat owners create a residual stream of income to offset the costs of ownership and pay for their boats. This is where water lovers profit from their passion and customers create unforgettable water experiences.

Larry Lewis Jr., Founder

G-Haven eSports

G-Haven eSports is a social impact eSports organization that aims to activate gamers into socially conscious gamers who game with a purpose. It empowers users to use the strength and impact of their gaming passions to not only address, but create positive social change!

Dexter Carr Jr., Founder

impathi

impathi’s platform harnesses the power of AI/deep learning to identify hospice-eligible patients earlier in their disease progression. By partnering with healthcare providers and payers as well as hospice providers, we help to reduce costs, increase revenue and improve healthcare outcomes and healthcare equity. Once on the impathi platform, patients and their extended caregiver network are equipped with resources, information, tools, and services to help them navigate their end-of-life journey.

Kindle samuel, founder

Opal HTM

Opal HTM improves hospital efficiency by transforming medical equipment management and upkeep. Using a patented system of wireless sensors, it tracks where, when, and how often medical equipment is used, providing end-users with a real-time, high-precision account of equipment utilization. This data is then analyzed to pinpoint costly inefficiencies, helping hospital staff sharply reduce equipment-related expenses through optimized inventory, procurement, and maintenance without compromising the quality of patient care.

Connor Roberts, Founder

SESSION SCHEDULE

This year's program director, Brendan McAdams, will work closely with the cohort, mentors, and speakers to tailor the program for the best possible resources and assistance. Each week will focus on important aspects of entrepreneurship. Hear from experts and advisors to get questions, ideas, and guidance on your startup. Sessions will be hosted every Wednesday from 11:00a.m. - 1:30p.m.

SESSIONS
Opening Ceremony & Orientation | Week 1
Market Validation, Ideal Customer Profile and Developing an MVP | Week 2

You have an idea. Maybe you're building an MVP. Now what? Before starting a full-blown development effort, we need to validate, test and pre-sell your solution to your ideal customer(s).

Sales Bootcamp: The Importance of a Sales Mindset | Week 3

Being good at sales depends on mindset, practice and process. And as a founder, your ability to sell is critical to the success of the company. Because a company that can accelerate revenue growth and customer acquisition early on can't go out of business.

Developing Your Marketing Engine | Week 4

You have a solution, early adopter customers, and some results. It's time to tell the world. This session focuses on how to think about driving initial marketing awareness, and scaling your marketing efforts with an efficient, impactful approach.

Sales Bootcamp: Identifying Your Initial Prospects and Making Them Customers | Week 5

With your marketing engine started and initial customers onboard, it's time to focus on sales execution and Product/Market Fit. This session digs into sales process, customer engagement, and managing (and growing) your sales pipeline.

Pitch Preparation: For Investors, Customers and the Press | Week 6

An effective presentation can make all the difference, but what you say and how you say it depends on the audience. We'll talk about VC/investor pitches, sales presentations, and other potential venues and how to optimize your presentation for each.

Company Infrastructure: Accounting, Insurance and Legal | Week 7

It's all about being a real business, which means having the right internal structures in place. Specifically, we're talking about legal issues, having an accounting system in place, and various insurance considerations. It might be boring stuff, but it's part of being a real business.

How to Think About Funding: Bootstrapping, Fundraising, and Working Capital | Week 8

Money can be like fuel on a fire, or it can be a distraction. We address how to think about funding, financing options, and what is the right strategy for your business.

Company Infrastructure: IT, Security, Scaling and the AWS CloudStart Program | Week 9

As a tech company, having the right IT strategy is critical and involves many considerations: cloud-based options, system availability and redundancy, privacy, security, scalable architecture, etc. This session gets into the various options and alternatives, pros and cons. In addition, there will be an overview on the AWS CloudStart Program made available as part of the AccelerateBaltimore program.

Sales Bootcamp: Ensuring Customer Success From the Start | Week 10

The sale is never over, and it's certainly not over until your customer is onboarded and recognizing value. This session covers how to drive customer success during the sales process and how to estbalish the foundation and momentum to get customers integrated, educated and operational quickly and painlessly.

Building up your TAM and Financial Projections | Week 11

To prepare for future growth and potential outside funding/financing, we dive into long-term revenue potential and mapping the financial future of the business.

TEDCO Prelude Pitch | Week 12

A fun presentation and interactive workshop on making an effective investor pitch. It will be hands-on, so be prepared to present and learn.

Closing Ceremony & Celebration Night | Week 13

Please join us for the AccelerateBaltimore closing ceremony to celebrate all the hard work and progress that the 2021 cohort has accomplished in the past 13 weeks! Each CEO will give a short presentation on their company and you will hear how the mission of the 2021 program produced results and what we can expect going forward.

Graduate Companies

We take a risk in finding highly motivated entrepreneurs with exciting business opportunities to participate in this program. In 2022, we received over 110 applications and narrowed it down to 5. Take a look at the past cohorts and connect with us if you have what it takes to be in the next cohort.

Mentors

During the program our AccelerateBaltimore companies have      the opportunity to work hands-on with some of the most experienced business professionals in Baltimore region. Our mentors come from different industries and provide our entrepreneurs with a lifetime of connections and resources. 

PARTNERS & SPONSORS