Baltimore weekly roundup: A $15M local cyber seed; legal pitfalls; Johns Hopkins' hiring freeze
This week's newsletter features news on an eight-figure seed round for Pixee, a cyber company whose tech not only finds code vulnerabilities, but fixes them, too. Plus, several local founders shared their advice on legal strategies and pitfalls for startups during a panel at our 2025 Builders Conference.
Scroll down for more news from throughout the Baltimore region.
📰 News Incubator: What to know
• The Economic Development Administration rescinded six of the recent awards it granted to previously designated Tech Hubs earlier this year. Commerce plans to open applications for another funding round this summer and announce awardees in 2026, putting Baltimore back in the running for millions. [Technical.ly]
• Johns Hopkins is pausing raises and freezing hiring as federal cuts continue. The university already announced it would lay off 2,000 employees. [Baltimore Biz Journal]
• Meta is relying on Baltimore's Constellation Energy to secure nuclear power for fueling AI developments and data centers. [Baltimore Banner]
• Harper's Choice Middle School in Columbia has a new STEM center thanks to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the state. The philanthropic org, named after the Orioles player, has set up these centers across the country. [CBS/Technical.ly]
• Baltimore City has an RFP open for internet service providers to deliver affordable services in public housing units. [BCIT]
• Columbia cyber firm Tenable is acquiring Apex Security. The firm has been busy: Leadership announced the purchase of an Israeli firm earlier this year for $147 million in cash and $3 million in restricted stock units. Tenable also recently announced a new office opening in Tel Aviv and hired a chief product officer. [Tenable/Technical.ly]
• Check out how to best deliver your startup pitch, among other lessons from founders and investors. [Technical.ly]
• Maryland's AG is suing Trump over attempts to cut National Science Foundation programs. [AG Brown]
🗓️ On the Calendar
• Partner event: Learn about the ways innovation, tech and outer space intersect on June 24 at the World Trade Center Institute's next AGILE Global Innovation Series event. [ Details here ]
• Techstars showcases its AI Health accelerator cohort at a demo day in the Ravens' stadium on June 5. [ Details here ]
• Network with local business owners and celebrate the nonprofit LET'S GO's new offices on June 5. [ Details here ]
• Test out the latest in local video games during Indie Game Fest on June 7 at Enoch Pratt Free Library. [ Details here ]
• Hear from Technical.ly CEO Chris Wink and leaders in Pittsburgh on June 11 about how elected officials and civil servants can improve local operations. [ Details here ]
• Listen to how entrepreneurs have overcome different challenges on June 11 at an event hosted by EO Baltimore. [ Details here ]
• Watch demos from local technologists on June 14 at the next Baltimore Code and Coffee. [ Details here ]
• Local tech orgs are hosting a cookout on June 28 at Wonderground Park. []
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Baltimore weekly roundup: A $15M local cyber seed; legal pitfalls; Johns Hopkins' hiring freeze
This week's newsletter features news on an eight-figure seed round for Pixee, a cyber company whose tech not only finds code vulnerabilities, but fixes them, too. Plus, several local founders shared their advice on legal strategies and pitfalls for startups during a panel at our 2025 Builders Conference. Scroll down for more news from throughout the Baltimore region. 📰 News Incubator: What to know • The Economic Development Administration rescinded six of the recent awards it granted to previously designated Tech Hubs earlier this year. Commerce plans to open applications for another funding round this summer and announce awardees in 2026, putting Baltimore back in the running for millions. [ • Johns Hopkins is pausing raises and freezing hiring as federal cuts continue. The university already announced it would lay off 2,000 employees. [Baltimore Biz Journal] • Meta is relying on Baltimore's Constellation Energy to secure nuclear power for fueling AI developments and data centers. [Baltimore Banner] • Harper's Choice Middle School in Columbia has a new STEM center thanks to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the state. The philanthropic org, named after the Orioles player, has set up these centers across the country. [CBS/ • Baltimore City has an RFP open for internet service providers to deliver affordable services in public housing units. [BCIT] • Columbia cyber firm Tenable is acquiring Apex Security. The firm has been busy: Leadership announced the purchase of an Israeli firm earlier this year for $147 million in cash and $3 million in restricted stock units. Tenable also recently announced a new office opening in Tel Aviv and hired a chief product officer. [Tenable/ • Check out how to best deliver your startup pitch, among other lessons from founders and investors. [ • Maryland's AG is suing Trump over attempts to cut National Science Foundation programs. [AG Brown] 🗓️ On the Calendar • Partner event: Learn about the ways innovation, tech and outer space intersect on June 24 at the World Trade Center Institute's next AGILE Global Innovation Series event. [ Details here ] • Techstars showcases its AI Health accelerator cohort at a demo day in the Ravens' stadium on June 5. [ Details here ] • Network with local business owners and celebrate the nonprofit LET'S GO's new offices on June 5. [ Details here ] • Test out the latest in local video games during Indie Game Fest on June 7 at Enoch Pratt Free Library. [ Details here ] • Hear from CEO Chris Wink and leaders in Pittsburgh on June 11 about how elected officials and civil servants can improve local operations. [ Details here ] • Listen to how entrepreneurs have overcome different challenges on June 11 at an event hosted by EO Baltimore. [ Details here ] • Watch demos from local technologists on June 14 at the next Baltimore Code and Coffee. [ Details here ] • Local tech orgs are hosting a cookout on June 28 at Wonderground Park. []
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