Portfolio and Performance

Venture Grant Awardees

Health and Environmental Solutions

• Amron Home and Health LLC is designing unique accessories for CPAP users that reduce stigma and improve convenience for everyday use and travel. Amron Home and Health is located in Hyattsville and is led by UMBC alumna Debora Fajer-Smith, alongside UMBC students Scotty Collinson and Nikos Bourazanis.
• Aquatic Circle LLC is developing an advanced water filtration system that provides clean water without the use of chemicals. Aquatic Circle is located in Allegany County in a community affiliated with Frostburg State University and is founded and led by Dr. Dung Minh Hoang.
• Cheek Seat is developing a portable, collapsible toilet seat cover that keeps bathroom experiences comfortable and hygienic. Cheek Seat is located in Prince George’s County and is led by Bowie State University undergraduate students Jazmyn Brown-Washington and William Kent.
• Elastic Energy is developing a sustainable, tree-sap-based battery that is more cost-effective and longer-lasting than traditional battery systems, providing a safer alternative to lithium-based technologies. Elastic Energy is located in Baltimore County and is led by Samuel Bendek, an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
• NDN International LLC is developing a patented, efficient, and portable hand-washing station designed for indoor and outdoor use. NDN International is located in Montgomery County and was founded by Naa Nyanin, a University of Baltimore alumnus.
• NuMoon Technologies, LLC is commercializing UMBC-licensed intellectual property enabling high-speed hazard detection from a distance. NuMoon Technologies is located in Howard County and is a woman-owned small business led by CEO Gianna Arnold.
• ReBokeh Vision Technologies is developing an app-based assistive technology system that allows people with moderate vision impairments to personalize how they see the world. ReBokeh Vision Technologies is located in Baltimore County at Towson University’s StarTUp at the Armory and is led by Rebecca Rosenberg.
• Repurpose Farm Plastic Inc. is developing an affordable farm-plastic cleaning device that supports agricultural plastic recycling. Repurpose Farm Plastic is located in Queen Anne’s County and is led by Krisztina Christmon, a recent PhD graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park.
• Ryan’s Place LLC is developing a comprehensive health care center for transitioning youth with disabilities and complex medical conditions. Ryan’s Place is located in Montgomery County and is led by Debbie Sahlin, a graduate of the School of Nursing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
• Sustainabli is building an easy-to-retrofit IoT system that monitors and promotes energy efficiency and safety in laboratories and hospitals. Sustainabli is located in Baltimore City and is led by Kevin Tu, a University of Maryland, College Park alumnus and medical student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
• Expora Inc. is developing scalable biotech technology to mass-produce bacterial extracellular vesicles for therapeutic and wellness applications. Expora is located in Frederick County and has emerged from research at the University of Maryland, College Park. The company is led by Nicholas Pirolli, PhD.

Innovative Essentials

• Good + Plenty Naturals is operating as a social enterprise that empowers women to live cleaner, healthier lifestyles through natural personal care products. Good + Plenty Naturals is located in Baltimore City and was founded by UMBC alumna Nishan Gugsa.
• NAK Design Studio is developing fashion-technology solutions that enhance the online bridal shopping experience, including MatchAGown, an AI-powered gown matchmaking tool. NAK Design Studio is located in Baltimore City and was founded by UMBC graduate student Nichole Harris.
• Nina’s Cookie Explosion is producing classic and customizable cookies and doughs through a Black woman-owned cookie business. Nina’s Cookie Explosion is located in Baltimore City and was founded by Salisbury University alumna Nina Ross.
• Seeing Green Studio is operating a houseplant boutique focused on intuitive care and intentional design, offering custom soil blends that simplify plant ownership. Seeing Green Studio is located in Baltimore County and is led by UMBC alumna Amanda Ly.
• SmartlabX is designing custom web solutions that help small companies solve complex business problems. SmartlabX is located in Towson, MD, and was founded by UMBC undergraduate student Femi Adisa.
• The Athlete Academy, LLC is operating a community-centered training facility focused on injury prevention, rehabilitation, recovery, and performance improvement for youth and adults. The Athlete Academy is located in Wicomico and Worcester Counties and is led by Salisbury University alumni Cody Revel and Ryan Maitland.
• The Blade is bringing barbershop services directly to customers through a mobile barbershop offering grooming services and products. The Blade is located in Prince George’s County and is led by Bowie State University undergraduate student Santana Pleasant.
• The Sheller is manufacturing a patented stainless-steel seafood multitool that functions as a crab mallet, picker, and bottle opener. The Sheller is located in Anne Arundel County and is led by University of Baltimore alumna Shelby Blondell.
• The TrillestDollhouse is making natural hair education accessible to HBCU students through products, services, and educational programming. The TrillestDollhouse is located in Baltimore City and is led by Bowie State University undergraduate student Lauren Kelly.
• Xeddy is building a platform that provides college students with discounts and rewards for ordering from local restaurants. Xeddy is located in Baltimore City and was founded by UMBC alumnus Basil Udo.
• Apparel and Beyond is operating as a veteran-owned custom apparel and art-printing business offering sustainable, high-quality printing services, upcycled fashion, and a creative retail space that supports community artists. Apparel and Beyond is located in Montgomery County and is led by Andrew Bird, an alumnus of the University of Maryland Global Campus.
• Reclaim is building an AI-driven lost-and-found platform that automates reporting, matching, notifications, and analytics to reduce processing time and divert recoverable items from landfills. Reclaim serves campuses, airports, hotels, and stadiums and is located in Baltimore County at Towson University’s StarTUp at the Armory. The company is led by Kumlachew Hirgeto.

Arts, Media, and Entertainment

• DISTRICT5 is creating and producing media content including films, television shows, web series, documentaries, music videos, and commercials. DISTRICT5 is located in Montgomery County and is led by University of Maryland, College Park undergraduate student Sonny Tu.
• EBO is developing an on-demand booking platform that connects vetted subject-matter experts and on-air contributors with media outlets. EBO is located in Baltimore City and is led by UMES alumna Crystal I. Berger.
• Room 242 is operating an artist incubator that provides housing, label services, artist development workshops, curated events, and community support for emerging musicians. Room 242 is located in Prince George’s County and is led by University of Maryland, College Park undergraduate student Kang Ewimbi.

Education and Empowerment

• Baltimore Venom is operating as a minor-league professional basketball team that uses sports as a vehicle for social change. Baltimore Venom is located in Baltimore City and was founded by Charles Carrington and UMBC alumnus Jacob Dennis.
• Brian Furr LLC is providing workforce training, project-based classes, and small-batch manufacturing opportunities for community members. Brian Furr LLC is located in Baltimore City and is led by University of Baltimore alumnus Brian Furr.
• Cursive Technology, Inc. is developing a writing-assessment platform that emphasizes proof of effort, transparency in the writing process, and unbiased evaluation of student and AI-assisted writing. Cursive Technology is located in Baltimore City and was founded by University of Maryland alumnus Joseph Thibault.
• Fem Equity LLC is building a SaaS platform dedicated to advancing professional women’s financial outcomes and career fulfillment. Fem Equity is located in Baltimore City and was founded by Towson University alumna Adeola Ajani.
• Fern Computing is developing a zero-code AI platform for education and workforce development inspired by principles of brain development. Fern Computing is located in Baltimore City and is led by University of Maryland, Baltimore alumnus Garrett Crutcher.
• Imagining Reality Insights & Solutions Inc. is developing immersive VR reading interventions designed to improve comprehension through multimodal learning experiences. The company is located in Baltimore City and is led by University of Maryland alumna Anne-Laurence Nemorin and co-founded by UMD faculty members Donald J. Bolger, Drew Baden, and Juan Uriagereka.
• The Cube Cowork is operating the largest Black woman-owned coworking space in the United States, providing a family-friendly environment for entrepreneurs. The Cube Cowork is located in Baltimore City and is led by Coppin State University alumna and UMBC faculty member Tammira Lucas.
• The Extraordinary Library Adventure® is developing K–12 edutainment products that inspire, empower, and nurture young learners. The company is located in Prince George’s County and was founded by University of Maryland alumnus Travis Kevin.
• Glow Forward Foundation is a Baltimore City–based 501(c)(3) developing programs that support young and single mothers through higher education, career advancement, and community-based resources. Glow Forward Foundation was founded during the USM Langenberg Legacy Fellowship and is led by University of Baltimore alumna Loren Nelson.