BALTIMORE, MD (November 27, 2012) --- Baltimore City’s technology incubator, Emerging Technology Center (ETC), announced today that 14 experienced mentors have agreed to participate in the 2013 program, AccelerateBaltimore™. AccelerateBaltimore™ accepts hundreds of applications, from all over the nation. ETC reviews and evaluates each submission, looking for strength in idea and offering. A distinguished panel of tech business leadership selects the top six companies to participate in a three-month program that helps focus and grow the 6 businesses.
AccelerateBaltimore™ participants engage with local and regional business mentors in a variety of sectors. This year ETC is proud to announce that 14 business leaders will join the program. Members of the mentoring team include Chris Brandenburg, Co-founder and CTO of Millennial Media, Greg Cangialosi, CEO of Nucleus Ventures, Ron Schmelzer, CEO of Bizelo and Co-founder of Baltimore Tech Breakfast and Andrew Coy, Co-Executive Director of Digital Harbor Foundation, Ann Quinn of Quinn Strategy Group, Victoria McAndrews of CMD, and Russell Clark Co-Founder of Illuminis.
The applicants that do not make this round will be placed into a drawing and may be eligible for additional single service offerings. The offerings will range from 6 months free ETC affiliation or office space and free consulting hours to evaluation of business plans and pitch efforts.
Deb Tillett, President of ETC said “I am so honored and overwhelmed, really, by the support that these talented people have agreed to give us. Their time and expertise to mentor this business cohort will help us make this AccelerateBaltimore™ “class” another success”
“One of the key factors in becoming a successful startup company is having mentors and resources that will help you get to the next level,” said Chris Brandenburg, Co-founder and CTO of Millennial Media. “I enjoyed working with the AccelerateBaltimore™ companies that showed the dedication, passion and hard work for their startup. I’m looking forward to coaching the next AccelerateBaltimore™ companies, sharing my experience and knowledge in the mobile advertising industry.”
The first AccelerateBaltimore™ was launched in April 2012 with the Abell Foundation as the funding partner and the ETC providing the program support services. It was the first business accelerator in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland. The goal of AccelerateBaltimore™ is to help technology companies meet the challenges facing a start-up and get to market quickly.
In addition to physical space at the ETC and accompanying office services, AccelerateBaltimore™ companies will benefit from the counsel of a high-level advisory team assembled by the ETC to provide support through the product development phase and eventual launch.
The next AccelerateBaltimore™ program will begin in February 2013 with 6 companies—a 50% increase from the first. AccelerateBaltimore™ will again provide $25,000 in seed funding to each accelerator company, free office space, access to a high-level advisory team, a 13-week hands-on instructional program, and connections to potential investors, partners, and resources. AccelerateBaltimore™ ’s first class graduates include Given.to (formerly known as NoBadGift.com), Kithly (formerly known as Hooopla), NewsUp and Unbound Concepts.
Applications submission deadline is November 30th. For more information visit www.acceleratebaltimore.com .
About the ETC (www.etcbaltimore.com) The ETC, a venture of the Baltimore Development Corporation, is a non-profit business incubator focused on growing early-stage technology and biotechnology companies. The ETC promotes economic development, providing business, technical, and networking connections to help these companies grow and prosper – adding to both the job and tax base of Baltimore City. To date, ETC client companies have received over $1.4 billion in funding and created over 2,000 creative-class jobs. Since 1999 ETC has provided assistance to 276 companies 88% of its companies are still in business.
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