University of Baltimore's Center For Entrepreneurship and Innovation

University of Baltimore's Center For Entrepreneurship and Innovation Our mission at the Center is to cultivate entrepreneurial thinkers, and help them structure business ideas and build value through innovation.

Baltimore's AI future is being built now - be part of the conversation!Join our AI Annual Summit, which brings together ...
05/18/2026

Baltimore's AI future is being built now - be part of the conversation!

Join our AI Annual Summit, which brings together leaders across technology, business, education, law, and policy to explore how AI is shaping our communities, industries, and future opportunities.

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 John and Frances Angelos Law Center, University of Baltimore

This is an in-person event only! Space is limited and registration is required.

🔗 Register here:
https://ubalt.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eD7fx6sYw3I2O6a?Q_CHL

Whether you're a professional, entrepreneur, educator, policymaker, or student, this summit offers an opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape Baltimore's AI ecosystem. Hope to see you there!

🍉 We're excited to share that Joyson BaLisamore, one of our entrepreneurship students and the proud founder of Jay's Wat...
05/18/2026

🍉 We're excited to share that Joyson BaLisamore, one of our entrepreneurship students and the proud founder of Jay's Watermelonade, was selected as a recipient of the Pilot Small Business Growth Fund Grant!!!

He received $25,000 for his healthy hydration venture, along with a year of bookkeeping support, through the program by Pilot in partnership with Hello Alice.

Congratulations Joyson!! 🚀
If you're an entrepreneur like him, this is the kind of success you should look up to.

University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business

🎉 The 14th Annual RISE to the Challenge Pitch Competition lit up Wright Theater tonight, hosted by our Director Henry Mo...
05/07/2026

🎉 The 14th Annual RISE to the Challenge Pitch Competition lit up Wright Theater tonight, hosted by our Director Henry Mortimer.
Six finalists. Two categories. One unforgettable evening of Baltimore entrepreneurship.

Congratulations to our winners:
🏆 Most Promising Business ($20,000) — split between Pharmynx (Terjahna Richards) and Totem Jou Publishing (John Butler)
🌟 Existing Business Venture ($5,000) — Keepin' Up with the Jones' Hair Care (Hope Jones)
💡 Most Innovative ($3,000) — BLUE DREAM (Matthew Morris)
🚀 Aspiring Business Venture ($2,500) — K'Raw Juice (KLa Hamilton)
❤️ Crowd Favorite ($1,000) — Totem Jou Publishing (John Butler)

A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed panel of judges for sharing their time and expertise: Kevin Carter (Founder, Coach Carter Consulting), Stephanie Goldenberg (Academic Chair, Entrepreneurial Studies Institute, AACC), Katie Leonard (Founder, Slate Seven), Bill McComas (Co-Founder, Jensen & McComas), and Kimberly Royster (CFO and Chairwoman of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce).

A special thank you to our keynote speaker Dorien Murphy for setting the tone with an inspiring message that energized founders and the community alike.
And a sincere thank you to Jason Tagler and to the sponsors who make this stage possible: the Pridgeon Family Entrepreneurship Fund, the Joseph Carton & Harvey Silberg Venture Fund, and the Jay Ripley Fund.

Founders showed up. Judges showed up. The community showed up. That's what RISE is about.

🚀🚀 The BOLD people behind the BOLD ideas. Presented TODAY, LIVE at the Wright TheatreRise to the Challenge Competition i...
05/06/2026

🚀🚀 The BOLD people behind the BOLD ideas. Presented TODAY, LIVE at the Wright Theatre

Rise to the Challenge Competition is where Baltimore's emerging entrepreneurs will present ventures designed to solve real problems and create new opportunities.

This year's finalists:
• Erica Attoe - Steady Hands (lifesaving training supporting cancer research)
• John Butler - Totem Jou Publishing (creator-first publishing for underrepresented voices)
• K'La Hamilton - K'Raw Juice (on-the-go organic hydration)
• Terjahna Richards - Pharmynx (making science more accessible and impactful)
• Matthew Morris - Blue Dream (reimagining energy use through data centers and agriculture)
• Hope Jones - Keepin' Up with the Jones' Hair Care (clean, health-focused hair care products)

Each founder will pitch live for a share of $30,000 in funding and professional services, bringing forward ideas across health, sustainability, technology, and creative industries.

📅 Wednesday, May 6 | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Wright Theatre - Student Center, 5th Floor, University of Baltimore
🔗 Register now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

🌟 Support the Founders. HAPPENING TOMORROW!Every venture starts with an idea - and the courage to share it.Come support ...
05/05/2026

🌟 Support the Founders. HAPPENING TOMORROW!

Every venture starts with an idea - and the courage to share it.

Come support this year's finalists as they pitch on stage and compete for over $30,000 in funding at the Rise to the Challenge Business Pitch Competition.

📅 May 6, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Student Center, 5th Floor, UBalt
🔗 Happening tomorrow - REGISTER! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

🚀 See the Next Wave of FoundersThe Rise to the Challenge Business Pitch Competition brings together six finalists ready ...
05/04/2026

🚀 See the Next Wave of Founders

The Rise to the Challenge Business Pitch Competition brings together six finalists ready to take their ventures to the next level:
• Erica Attoe - Steady Hands
• John Butler - Totem Jou Publishing
• K'La Hamilton - K'Raw Juice
• Terjahna Richards - Pharmynx
• Matthew Morris - Blue Dream
• Hope Jones - Keepin' Up with the Jones' Hair Care

Watch them pitch live for $30,000 in funding.

📅 May 6, 2026
⏰ 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Wright Theatre, Student Center, 5th Floor
🔗 Don't miss. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

🎤 An Evening of Pitches, Possibility, and Networking!The Rise to the Challenge Pitch Competition, where emerging entrepr...
05/03/2026

🎤 An Evening of Pitches, Possibility, and Networking!

The Rise to the Challenge Pitch Competition, where emerging entrepreneurs take the stage to share their ideas and compete for over $30,000 in funding.

This live event brings together founders, students, and supporters of innovation for a night of:
• High-impact venture pitches
• Feedback from experienced judges
• Opportunities to connect with Baltimore's entrepreneurial community

Whether you're building your own idea, want to stay close to the startup ecosystem, or here to network and find mentorship, this is a chance to see how ventures come to life.

📅 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Wright Theatre, University of Baltimore
🔗 Come see it LIVE! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

🔥 Each finalist brings a unique vision - whether it's improving health, reshaping industries, or building new opportunit...
05/02/2026

🔥 Each finalist brings a unique vision - whether it's improving health, reshaping industries, or building new opportunities.

At the Rise to the Challenge Pitch Competition, you'll see these ideas presented live, with $30,000 on the line, and have the opportunity to network and meet the Baltimore's entrepreneurial community.

📅 Wednesday, May 6
⏰ 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Student Center, 5th Floor
🔗 Join Us: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

💡 One Stage, Six Pitches, Many PerspectivesThe Rise to the Challenge Business Pitch Competition brings together founders...
05/01/2026

💡 One Stage, Six Pitches, Many Perspectives

The Rise to the Challenge Business Pitch Competition brings together founders with diverse ideas and approaches - all competing to take their ventures further. This year's finalists:
• Erica Attoe - Steady Hands
• John Butler - Totem Jou Publishing
• K'La Hamilton - K'Raw Juice
• Terjahna Richards - Pharmynx
• Matthew Morris - Blue Dream
• Hope Jones - Keepin' Up with the Jones' Hair Care

Hear their stories, and connect with a community focused on building what's next.

📅 May 6 | 5:30 - 8 PM
📍 Wright Theatre, UBalt
🔗 Reserve your seat: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

🚀 Ideas WORTH WatchingFrom health and wellness to publishing, sustainability, and science - this year's finalists are bu...
04/29/2026

🚀 Ideas WORTH Watching

From health and wellness to publishing, sustainability, and science - this year's finalists are building ventures designed to make an impact. Real impact.

Watch them pitch live at the Rise to the Challenge Business Pitch Competition and compete for $30,000 in funding and support. Join the audience and experience it firsthand.

📅 Wednesday, May 6, 2026
⏰ 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Wright Theatre, University of Baltimore
🔗 Sign up! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

04/27/2026

⚡ Meet Matthew Morris, founder of Blue Dream!

What if the power behind AI could do more than just compute?

Blue Dream is a venture transforming how data centers use energy by capturing excess heat and redirecting it to indoor agriculture. The result is lower costs, reduced waste, and a new way to produce food more sustainably.

🎥 In this video, Matthew explains the idea behind Blue Dream and how this model can reshape the relationship between technology, energy, and food systems. It's a practical approach to sustainability, driven by design, scalability, and real-world impact.

Watch Matthew pitch LIVE at our Rise to the Challenge Pitch Competition.

📅 Wednesday, May 6
⏰ 5:30 - 8:00 PM
📍 Wright Theatre, University of Baltimore
🔗 Sign up! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubalts-14th-annual-rise-to-the-challenge-2026-business-pitch-competition-tickets-1980127142587

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1420 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD
21201

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