AccelerateBaltimore Applications Open for 2015
Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) October 07, 2014 -- The ETC (Emerging Technology Centers) http://www.etcbaltimore.com, Baltimore City’s award-winning technology innovation centers, announced today that applications for AccelerateBaltimore™ (AB) 2015 program will open on October 7, 2014. AccelerateBaltimore, Maryland’s first business accelerator, is looking for technology based start-up companies with a big idea that could be brought to market in just thirteen weeks. “This is the fourth year for AccelerateBaltimore and I can’t wait,” said Deb Tillett, ETC’s president. “ETC is looking for six start-up companies to participate in the Accelerator, and the team of reviewers will be actively seeking smart people, big ideas and long term viability of the products proposed.”
An initiative of ETC with the seed funding supplied by The Abell Foundation, AccelerateBaltimore aims to close the gap between innovative ideas and the ability to get to market quickly. Six companies will be selected for this intensive 13-week program and will be awarded $25,000 each to help propel their business ideas forward. They will also receive free office space, access to a high-level advisory team, a “hands-on” instructional program and connections to potential investors, partners, and resources. The companies will also receive a 3-month membership to the ETC’s incubation program after the AB program ends. While in the ETC, they will continue to receive strategic advice, business services and will have access to all the resources the ETC offers.
“The goal of AccelerateBaltimore is to help technology companies meet the challenges facing a start-up and get to market quickly,” said Jorge E. Castillo’s, ETC’s C.M.O. in Residence and part of AB’s advisory team. “This year, the focus is on attracting companies beyond Baltimore and based on previous years’ successes, those companies tend to stay right here in Baltimore adding to our growing High-Tech sector and job base,” he added.
The ETC will conduct broad international and national outreach, searching for the next round of applicants while showcasing Baltimore’s robust innovation economy. Andrew Schuster, C.E.O. and Founder of NewsUp, the current-events quiz game and a 2012 AB graduate, commented, “Graduating from AccelerateBaltimore was one of the most important factors in our company's growth.” He continued, “Beyond the resources of the program itself, we made invaluable connections with our peers, mentors and the Baltimore community.”
To date 16 Companies have gone through the program and successfully launched their products. The AB program ends with Demo Day, an event at the ETC attended by angel investors, venture capitalists, the press, and other entrepreneurs. Here are some of the previous companies:
• NewsUp – An online web and mobile platform gamifying the way to consume news
• Unbound Concepts – A web and mobile platform helping readers discover books
• Allovue – An education resource planning solution for budgeting and analytics
• PrintLess Plans – A developer of innovative devices and applications for large format displays in the architectural and construction industry
• Rehabtics – An online gamified rehabilitation system for patients to follow at home
• Survey Snap – A mobile application for design professionals conducting site visits
• SeeFuture – An online platform linking high achieving college students with corporate mentors
• Ntensify – A mobile app with branded in-app merchandise store
ETC will begin accepting applications October 7th, 2014, and applications will close on December 1, 2014. Selected participating companies will be notified by December 19, 2014. For more information, visit http://www.acceleratebaltimore.com.
About the ETC (http://www.etcbaltimore.com)
The ETC, a venture of the Baltimore Development Corporation, is a 501(c) (3) technology and innovation center focused on growing early-stage companies. The ETC promotes economic development, providing business, technical, and networking connections to help these companies grow. Since 1999, ETC has provided assistance to over 350 companies, 87% of which are still in business, creating more than 2,325 jobs and have raised over $1.6 billion in outside funding.
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Jorge Castillo, ETC, http://www.etcbaltimore.com, 443.451.7000, [email protected]
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