Current Startups
496
Startups in the Baltimore MSA
312
Startups in Baltimore City
220
Startups engaged with UpSurge
Baltimore MSA Startup Density by ZIP Code
Baltimore MSA Startup Industries
Data in this section is sourced from PitchBook.
The Work to Come
Of note, a lot of startup and founder data – from employee counts to founder demographics – is not well captured by PitchBook or any other source. But this information is vital to understanding our ecosystem, creating equitable structures, programs and systems, and advancing the Equitech vision. Over the next year, UpSurge will partner with local Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) to capture a more comprehensive view of startups and founders across the Baltimore MSA.
Startups to Note
We have no shortage of game-changing startups in the Baltimore Tech ecosystem. Here are a handful that made big strides in 2023, reflecting the diversity of founders, industries, milestones, and growth paths in Baltimore Tech.
Securing Funding in a Tough Market
Backpack Healthcare
Backpack Healthcare, operator of an AI-powered platform improving access to child mental health care, launched the Hello Backpack app nationwide. Backpack raised $3.8M of seed funding, and acquired Hurdle and SHE Health.
Blackpoint Cyber
Blackpoint Cyber, a cyberthreat managed-detection and response software company, raised a $190M growth-equity round led by Bain Capital Tech Opportunities, following a $10M venture capital round in 2022.
EcoMap Technologies
EcoMap, a SaaS company powering ecosystems with its platforms, endured a heartbreaking year but continues to build momentum on its second round of $3.5m seed funding in two years.
EQL Finance
EQL Finance, an online small loan and financial wellness platform, raised a $2.4M seed round.
Attracting Customers and Partners
b.well Connected Health
b.well, a leading integrated health platform, teamed up with Samsung Health to make its platform available on every Galaxy phone. b.well also raised a $40M Series C round led by Leavitt Equity Partners.
Astek Diagnostics
In 2023, Astek Diagnostics, a precision diagnostic technology company, joined forces with MedStar Health Research Institute to test its device focused on identifying UTI infections.
Nasaclip
Nasaclip’s flagship adjustable nosebleed rescue device is now in all ExpressCare Urgent Care centers in the mid-Atlantic. The company secured $2.3M of a $4M seed round.
Femly
Femly, a plant-based, eco-friendly sanitary products company, partnered with three higher education institutions – Community College of Baltimore County, St. John's University and the University of South Florida – to provide essential products across their campuses.
Building the Technology of the Future
Cerebro Capital
In August, Cerebro Capital, an online loan management system, got the green light from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its proprietary AI technology.
Haystack Oncology
Quest Diagnostics acquired Haystack Oncology, a Johns Hopkins spinout developing a minimal residual disease platform that identifies circulating tumor DNA in cancer patients’ bloodstreams to better inform treatment.
Wave Engine Corp.
In early 2024, Wave Engine Corp., a next-gen propulsion technology company, demonstrated complete flight capability with their jet engine that requires no moving parts.
Growing Roots in Baltimore
Apkudo
In 2023, Baltimore-based Apkudo, a manager of connected device supply chains, grew 59% in revenue and brought their headcount to 192 employees, a growth of 31%.
Previse
A diagnostic equipment startup and developer of Esopredict, the first commercially available test that provides personalized guidance for Barrett’s esophagus surveillance and treatment decisions, opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory in Baltimore.