EcoMap specializes in developing data and AI-driven solutions that enhance entrepreneurial ecosystems by centralizing vital information. The company partners with ecosystem builders, government agencies, and social impact organizations to improve resource connectivity. Its platform utilizes advanced algorithms to aggregate information about local organizations, resources, and activities, creating a continuously updated community hub. This enables entrepreneurs to easily access the resources they need to thrive within their local environments, while also personalizing and analyzing opportunities for various stakeholders involved in the ecosystem.
Breakthru
Seed Round in 2023
Breakthru is a digital marketing platform that connects companies with youth through an innovative earning system. It allows students to earn money while learning about various companies and skills. Users can withdraw their earnings through a digital wallet in partnership with services like PayPal, Coinbase, Uber, Amazon, and Dunkin. The platform employs gamification and incentives to engage users, providing them with financial tools and resources to support their academic and professional development. By fostering meaningful relationships between organizations and young individuals, Breakthru aims to empower the next generation while helping brands connect with their target audience.
CarpeDM
Pre Seed Round in 2022
CarpeDM is an online dating community designed specifically for singles seeking meaningful relationships with professional Black women. The platform operates as an exclusive, member-only service that connects users through a personal matchmaking system. It focuses on creating a vetted community by ensuring that participants meet specific dating criteria and minimum compatibility rankings. Utilizing a video dating application, CarpeDM enables users to engage with potential matches in a more personal and meaningful way, fostering connections that go beyond superficial interactions.
PONS
Pre Seed Round in 2022
PONS is a company specializing in the development of artificial intelligence to enhance ultrasound imaging, particularly for brain diagnostics. Utilizing machine learning algorithms, PONS transforms traditional ultrasound systems into smart, AI-driven diagnostic tools that improve scan resolution, tissue contrast, and noise reduction. This innovation aims to provide expert-level insights without the need for costly new hardware. The company's primary objective is to create a wearable ultrasound device to assist first responders and ambulance doctors with pre-diagnostics in challenging circumstances, facilitating early disease detection and preventive screening. By focusing on important anatomical features in ultrasound scans, PONS seeks to advance the capabilities of ultrasound technology in neurosurgery and related fields.
EcoMap specializes in developing data and AI-driven solutions that enhance entrepreneurial ecosystems by centralizing vital information. The company partners with ecosystem builders, government agencies, and social impact organizations to improve resource connectivity. Its platform utilizes advanced algorithms to aggregate information about local organizations, resources, and activities, creating a continuously updated community hub. This enables entrepreneurs to easily access the resources they need to thrive within their local environments, while also personalizing and analyzing opportunities for various stakeholders involved in the ecosystem.
Givhero
Seed Round in 2022
GivHero, Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offers a health and fitness mobile application tailored for employees. This platform enables users to set and achieve personal health goals, such as running, biking, weight loss, and managing blood sugar levels. GivHero enhances employee engagement by connecting their health objectives to social causes they care about, allowing employers to provide motivation through sponsorship and rewards tied to these causes. By fostering a culture of wellness, GivHero aims to boost productivity and lower long-term insurance costs, while simplifying the administration of wellness programs through its automated system.
Sage Seo
Angel Round in 2022
Sage is a software as a service (SaaS) platform designed to assist startups and small businesses in achieving prominent search engine rankings through streamlined SEO practices. By simplifying the SEO process into clear tasks, Sage offers keyword recommendations, data insights, and actionable strategies that serve as a roadmap for enhancing SEO performance. The platform integrates with various analytical tools such as Google Analytics and SEMRush, allowing it to compile data from multiple sources into a cohesive intelligence hub. This innovative approach leverages advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance content creation and optimize search engine performance. As a result, Sage provides an affordable yet powerful solution that enables its users to achieve superior content marketing outcomes compared to traditional SEO tools.
Sheeva.AI
Seed Round in 2021
Sheeva.AI specializes in an in-car payments and commerce platform that enhances the driver experience through vehicle location-based services. Utilizing patented precise geolocation technology, Sheeva enables drivers to effortlessly pay for services such as fueling, electric vehicle charging, parking, curbside pickup, and drive-through directly from their vehicle. This technology automatically identifies the vehicle's location at gas pumps, parking spots, and drive-through lanes, allowing for payments to be made through the in-vehicle infotainment system or a mobile app. The Sheeva Open API facilitates secure payment integration for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and service providers via the cloud, without the need for additional hardware or new applications. This innovative approach streamlines driving-related tasks, making it convenient for customers in any connected vehicle.
Danae is a design house focused on empowering individuals, particularly lower limb amputees, by allowing them to customize their prosthetic devices according to their personal aesthetic preferences. Unlike traditional prosthetics that prioritize function over individuality, Danae aims to enhance the user experience by enabling consumers to take control of the design process. The company is developing an application that produces high-quality 3D printed prosthetic legs, ensuring that each product reflects the unique personality of its user. In addition to prosthetics, Danae offers three-dimensional printing and product design services for parts, prototyping, and manufacturing, catering to the needs of small and medium enterprises and engineering firms. This dual focus on personalized prosthetics and comprehensive printing services positions Danae as a leader in innovative design solutions.
Fearless Sports
Seed Round in 2021
Fearless Sports is a local apparel company that specializes in providing comfortable sports clothing through its online store. The company focuses on offering versatile, durable, and easy-to-wear athleisure apparel suitable for a range of activities, including workouts, sports, and work-from-home environments. By prioritizing affordability and style, Fearless Sports aims to meet the needs of customers seeking functional yet fashionable sportswear.
LifeTagger
Pre Seed Round in 2021
LifeTagger operates a proximity automation platform that facilitates the creation, distribution, and reception of content based on users' proximity to various elements, including people, places, and ideas. The company enables businesses to generate location-specific content and initiate dynamic processes through scans, providing valuable data and analytics on user engagement. By integrating seamlessly with existing business systems and platforms, LifeTagger allows organizations to track interactions and enhance user experiences, ultimately improving their content delivery and audience engagement strategies.
Awana
Pre Seed Round in 2021
Awana is a staffing agency that specializes in sourcing, screening, and hiring skilled engineers from diverse communities. The agency offers a range of services designed to streamline the recruitment process, including writing job descriptions, identifying suitable candidates, and enhancing recruitment marketing strategies. Awana also conducts phone screenings and video interviews, prepares offer letters, and finalizes employment contracts to ensure a smooth hiring experience for both candidates and employers.
PEGASI
Pre Seed Round in 2020
PEGASI International focuses on improving healthcare accessibility and quality in Latin America by leveraging technology and data management. The company aggregates non-sensitive big data to create healthcare business intelligence tools aimed at enhancing regional development. Its primary product, the 20/20 platform, is a HIPAA-compliant health information system that hosts over 50 million patient records through a software-as-a-service model. Additionally, PEGASI has developed an oncology information system designed to streamline the treatment process for cancer patients by organizing data in an anonymized format. This system facilitates the development of algorithms that support clinical decision-making, ensuring that patients, healthcare providers, and doctors have access to clear and secure information.
Bodha Inc is a developer of an artificial intelligence-based cognitive platform that focuses on enhancing talent management and performance evaluation within organizations. By utilizing principles from cognitive science, the company categorizes human personality traits, interests, and values, allowing for a more accurate assessment of employee performance and potential. Bodha Inc's platform aims to address the shortcomings of traditional performance management systems, which often suffer from subjectivity and bias, leading to employee dissatisfaction and high turnover rates. The company offers a unique blend of performance management and performance support interventions, enabling organizations to capture and analyze performance data effectively. This approach not only aligns individual performance feedback with organizational goals but also provides targeted interventions to foster team cohesion and improve overall workplace dynamics.
Quantibly
Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Quantibly is a B2B SaaS platform tailored for the global social sector, specifically nonprofit and NGO organizations. The platform provides a tech-enabled service that facilitates comprehensive data collection, allowing these organizations to establish standards and measure their impact effectively. By centralizing all operations through its platform, Quantibly enhances productivity and enables organizations to manage their data efficiently. This focus on operationalizing impact data empowers social sector entities to better understand and communicate their effectiveness in achieving their missions.
Gridlion
Seed Round in 2017
GridLion is an energy management solutions provider based in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 2016. The company specializes in smart building services, operational resilience planning, and strategic energy planning, catering to commercial building owners, healthcare facilities, and the indoor agriculture sector. GridLion offers a unique approach that emphasizes visibility and control over energy management, allowing clients to save an average of 30% on energy costs. By integrating energy management into operational business strategies, GridLion helps clients address broader business challenges while enhancing environmental security. The company is also committed to community support, pledging to contribute 5% of its profits to initiatives that benefit families in Baltimore.
The Cube Cowork
Seed Round in 2017
The Cube Cowork LLC, incorporated in 2016 and based in Baltimore, Maryland, offers a unique co-working space tailored for entrepreneurs, particularly parents. It provides private office rentals, coworking memberships, and virtual mailing addresses, fostering an environment where business and family life can coexist harmoniously. The facility features a communal workspace, meeting rooms, and high-speed Wi-Fi, alongside a dedicated play area for children, equipped with eco-friendly toys and supervised by CPR-certified staff. The Cube Cowork aims to support parents in pursuing their career ambitions while balancing family responsibilities, promoting a culture where managing both roles is normalized and encouraged.
Parkofon
Seed Round in 2017
Parkofon Inc. is an information technology company based in Alexandria, Virginia, specializing in automated parking payment and guidance systems. Founded in 2016, Parkofon aims to enhance urban mobility by addressing the challenges of parking in densely populated areas. The company's platform features a mobile app and a device that assists drivers in locating available parking spaces in real time. This system not only simplifies the parking experience but also charges users for the actual time spent in garages, thereby promoting efficiency. By streamlining parking, Parkofon contributes to reducing congestion and pollution, ultimately supporting economic growth and improving the overall urban commute.
Treason Toting Company
Seed Round in 2017
Treason Toting Company is an e-commerce business founded in 2013 by Aaron Jones and Jason Bass, specializing in fashion accessories. The company operates an online platform that offers a variety of products, including leather and canvas tote bags, duffel bags, wash bags, and wallets. Treason Toting Company aims to provide retailers and consumers with access to the latest trends in fashion accessories, ensuring customers can find stylish options at any time.
Ujoin, Inc. operates a software-as-a-service platform designed to assist nonprofits and businesses in building and managing their email lists to advocate effectively on policy issues. Founded in 2014 and based in Burlingame, California, the platform enables organizations to create action pages that facilitate unique communications, including video messages, directed at legislators and government officials. Ujoin also offers a legislative bill-tracking feature that allows users to monitor relevant legislation and send action alerts to their communities. As a for-profit social benefit company, Ujoin aims to provide accessible advocacy and email management tools to small and mid-sized organizations, empowering them to influence policy and engage their audiences effectively.
PEGASI
Pre Seed Round in 2016
PEGASI International focuses on improving healthcare accessibility and quality in Latin America by leveraging technology and data management. The company aggregates non-sensitive big data to create healthcare business intelligence tools aimed at enhancing regional development. Its primary product, the 20/20 platform, is a HIPAA-compliant health information system that hosts over 50 million patient records through a software-as-a-service model. Additionally, PEGASI has developed an oncology information system designed to streamline the treatment process for cancer patients by organizing data in an anonymized format. This system facilitates the development of algorithms that support clinical decision-making, ensuring that patients, healthcare providers, and doctors have access to clear and secure information.
Hungry Harvest
Seed Round in 2014
Hungry Harvest LLC is a food and beverage company based in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 2014. The company specializes in sourcing and delivering surplus and organic produce, including a variety of fruits and leafy green vegetables, to customers in Baltimore, the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, and surrounding areas. Through its online platform, Hungry Harvest offers customizable boxes that can be delivered weekly or bi-weekly, allowing customers to receive fresh farm produce directly at their doorstep. The company focuses on creating a waste-free food system by recovering excess produce from farms, ensuring that farmers are compensated for their surplus while providing consumers with affordable, high-quality food options.
Going Green Today
Seed Round in 2014
Going Green Today is a community-based Internet site that provides its users with products, services & credits that help them go “green”. It does this through a unique personalization engine that guides the user through a 90-day action plan to “green” their life. This allows them savings of both cash & carbon and later the potential to participate on the carbon credit exchanges. Its unique approach tackles the hard problem of behavior change at a personal level. It does this through applying game theory. First, a quiz & action plan generates user engagement with community engagement, friendly competition & game mechanics as subsequent engagement tools.
Zest is a social media monetization tool for food bloggers. It is based in Washington, District of Columbia, United States.
CoderLoan
Seed Round in 2014
CoderLoan is an online educational platform established in 2013 in New York City, designed to assist students in obtaining educational loans and connecting with potential employers. The platform enables students and recent graduates to access financial institutions for educational financing while simultaneously linking them with recruiters seeking junior developers. CoderLoan generates revenue by taking a percentage from the loans facilitated through its platform and charging fees to companies that recruit students. This dual approach not only supports students in funding their education but also aids in their job placement, thereby enhancing their career prospects.
Self Spark
Seed Round in 2014
Self Spark is a social enterprise based in Columbia, Maryland, that focuses on helping individuals achieve measurable personal changes through science-based methods. Established in 2012 by James Norris, the organization collaborates with behavior change scientists and innovators to create effective strategies for self-improvement. Self Spark promotes open science by sharing research findings and raw data publicly, ensuring transparency and accessibility. The company offers a range of programs, including two-day, one-day, half-day, and keynote events, providing participants with hands-on assistance and practical tools to facilitate lasting change. Through its focus on innovative life hacks and technology, Self Spark empowers individuals to enhance their well-being and personal development.
Spend Consciously
Seed Round in 2014
Spend Consciously, Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company founded in 2012 that focuses on developing mobile applications and web-based platforms aimed at promoting conscious consumerism. Its primary offering, BuyPartisan, allows users to scan product barcodes to access information about the political spending linked to those products. This functionality fosters a two-way relationship between consumers and companies, enabling users to make informed purchasing decisions that align with their values and beliefs. Additionally, the platform encourages users to explore alternative products and share insights with their social circles. By empowering consumers to understand the implications of their spending, Spend Consciously aims to enhance corporate accountability and create a collective voice among values-driven consumers.
Shenami
Seed Round in 2014
Shenami operates an online platform designed to connect women consumers with women-owned businesses. The company emphasizes the influential role of women entrepreneurs, believing that their success can create positive ripple effects that benefit families, employees, and communities. Shenami provides a virtual community where women can access actionable information, connect with local women expert service providers, and find funding opportunities. Through its initiatives, Shenami aims to empower women and foster a supportive ecosystem for female-led enterprises.
Shea Radiance
Seed Round in 2014
Shea Radiance is a manufacturer of premium hair and body care products that harness the benefits of shea butter as a key ingredient. Founded from a family's quest for natural solutions to dry and eczema-prone skin, the company emphasizes the use of high-quality, handcrafted products that combine shea butter with other fine natural ingredients. Sourced from West Africa, where shea butter is traditionally known as "Women's Gold," the company partners with local women producers, empowering them to maintain financial independence through the sale of shea butter. This collaboration not only provides effective skincare solutions but also supports women's economic stability, enabling them to provide for their families. With over eight years of experience in formulating natural products, Shea Radiance is committed to delivering high-performance beauty solutions that reflect traditional wisdom while enhancing the health of hair and skin. By prioritizing exceptional ingredients and ethical sourcing, Shea Radiance aims to create transformative impacts within communities, reinforcing the belief that a great jar of cream can indeed change the world.