Seizing the moment for HBCU innovation

Newsletter for April 18, 2024

Today's coverage features an interview with the founder of a startup accelerator and social enterprise for early-stage HBCU entrepreneurs. He recently hosted an in-person summit to celebrate the future of entrepreneurship for Black founders. Also, a new biopharmaceutical center at the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus is breaking ground next week.

FYI: Sherrod Davis from EcoMap Technologies, Adeola Ajani from FemEquity and Kory Bailey from UpSurge Baltimore will be joining us at our Technical.ly Builders Conference during Philly Tech Week 2024 on May 9. So learn more about the Builders lineup, come through and stay for the Signature event, the closing party of Philly Tech Week.

— Alanah, Technical.ly lead reporter for Baltimore

This week's newsletter brings a spotlight on the three most senior women leaders in IT at Vanguard. They discuss their career journeys, the mentors who have empowered them and Vanguard’s work to advance women in the information technology field in this Q&A.

For our How I Got Here series, Kiante Bush, founder of Venture for T.H.E.M. and champion for historically Black institution-based entrepreneurs, shared his journey from retail to tech and entrepreneurship support. With experience at notable companies like Deloitte and Booz Allen Hamilton, alongside academic achievements including an engineering degree from Morgan State University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, Bush now leads initiatives supporting minority founders. A few months back, he organized the HBCUniverse Summit to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation.

➡️ Learn which motto Kiante embraces in my new story.

The University of Delaware's STAR Campus is preparing for a significant expansion in the biopharmaceutical sector with the groundbreaking of its SABRE Center. This addition is supported by federal funding secured with Delaware's US Congress members' assistance.

The STAR Campus, which integrates academics with industry and community partnerships, houses various research and innovation centers, including the Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center. The SABRE Center will serve as the new home for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL).

➡️ Learn about this UD expansion from my colleague Holly Quinn.

• Cody Dorsey and the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition (BDEC) have released their 2023 annual report, highlighting the org's efforts and achievements in advancing digital equity in Baltimore. [BDEC]

• Anne Arundel Community College is undertaking a $57.6 million renovation of its science center, reflecting a broader trend among local higher education institutions to invest in science programs to attract career-focused students. [Baltimore Business Journal]

• The Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) is hosting its Redefining Industry event, celebrating individuals reshaping the industrial landscape and guiding Baltimore toward a promising future. Among the honorees are Ken Malone and Kelli Booth, cofounders and executive officers of Early Charm Ventures, and Kendra Parlock, Vice President of Partnership Development at NPower. [BMI]

• JuneBrain, a resident of LaunchPort, is seeking participants for a study involving its wearable eye imaging prototype device. Those interested can visit the LaunchPort website or contact Dr. Samantha Scott at [email protected]. [LaunchPort]

• Social entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the 2024 SOCAP Fellowship, which offers access to a network of investors and the chance to present ventures at the flagship event in San Francisco from October 28 to 30. [SOCAP]