Here at EcoMap, our job is to aggregate data. Typically, we're gathering information about resources for entrepreneurs - but recently, we've been collecting information about how Baltimore's innovation community is responding to COVID.
Organizations' responses have ranged from creating resource guides, to mobilizing to secure funding for businesses and nonprofits, to making new products and equipment to tackle the virus head-on.
Here is a "master list" of how different organizations and individuals in Baltimore's innovation community have responded. For this list , we're focusing on Baltimore-based entrepreneur & community support organizations; local startups, small businesses, & nonprofits; and other Baltimore-specific initiatives.
If you fall into one of these categories and we missed your efforts, email us at baltimore@ecomap.tech!
Attacking the Virus: Making PPE
- Open Works rallied local makers to 3D print hundreds of face masks (Baltimore Sun)
- Center Stage volunteers are creating masks instead of costumes (Baltimore Sun)
- Johns Hopkins rallied hundreds of volunteers to assemble face masks for healthcare workers (VICE)
- Station North Tool Library is mobilizing makers to help sew masks, lend machines, or donate other items
- Under Armour has opened its warehouses to store medical equipment and is helping order PPE from suppliers (BBJ)
- DiPole Materials is using it's expertise to make N95 filters
- Sagamore Spirits pivoted their distillery to make hand sanitizer instead of whisky (BBJ)
- Baltimore Spirts Company has also started making hand sanitizer (Baltimore Sun)
Attacking the Virus: Working on detection & vaccines
- PathSensors is developing a test to detect the presence of coronavirus in 5 minutes (Technical.ly Baltimore)
- Emergent Biosolutions is helping to manufacturing a potential coronavirus vaccine (Technical.ly Baltimore)
- 17 Maryland-based biotech companies have temporarily pivoted to focusing on COVID-related problems (Technical.ly Baltimore)
Mobilizing Funding
- Maryland Department of Commerce has launched 3 new loan funds for small businesses
- Cllctivly is ramping up it's Black Futures Micro-Grant Program through the Baltimore Black-Led Solidarity Fund
- Kiva (who has a strong presence in Baltimore) launched 0% interest loans for small businesses
- The Warnock Foundation is offering $500 to previous fellows who need relief
- Baltimore Community Foundation launched their Evolving Community Needs Fund
- Alanah crowdsourced support for an emergency fund for Artists & Freelancers
Centralizing Information & Discussions
- We aggregated lists of restaurants & small businesses that need your support during COVID
- The Maryland Department of Commerce compiled this state-wide business info site
- Baltimore Development Corporation launched BaltimoreTogether.com to centralize information
- Impact Hub has an awesome list of aggregated guides and other resources
Making Guides
- The EcoMap Baltimore COVID guide provides information on funding and other local guides
- Baltimore Corps put together this guide of local and national COVID resources
- Impact Hub made a guide outlining relief for Small Businesses, Artists, and Freelancers
- Community Wealth Builder partnered with Kiva Baltimore, Honeycomb, and WeFunder to help small businesses navigate loans
- The Maryland Small Business Development Center put together resources for businesses in the state
- We aren't totally sure who made this guide, but it outlines resources for Baltimore Artists
- Someone put together this awesome Mutual Aid spreadsheet with everything from service opportunities, to food sources, to emotional support programs (Impact Hub)
- OSI Baltimore launched their COVID Information and Resources guide (Impact Hub)
- The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance gathered information for artists
- I'm sure we missed some guides - email us at baltimore@ecomap.tech to submit yours!
Gathering Information
- Baltimore Development Corporation launched this Small Business Impact Survey
- Impact Hub Baltimore, Made in Baltimore, Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network (BCAN), Innovation Works, Open Works' COVID-19 Economic Impact Assessment for Baltimore Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
- Cllctivly put out a Baltimore Black-led COVID-19 Response Survey
Providing Resources, Discussion, & Information
- Ortus Academy launched a web series on managing business and personal finances during times of uncertainty
- Osmosis put together a series of videos that help educate he public about coronavirus (Technical.ly Baltimore)
- Startup Soiree launched a small-business forum (no longer active)
- Hungry Harvest is hiring as demand spikes for their produce delivery products, and is donating emergency food boxes to the University of Maryland Medical system (Technical.ly Baltimore)
If you are a Baltimore entrepreneur/business support organization or a local startup, small business, and nonprofit, and we missed your efforts, email us at baltimore@ecomap.tech!
