UpSurge Baltimore
UpSurge Baltimore is a non-profit ecosystem development organization founded in 2021 and acquired by the Greater Baltimore Committee in April 2025, operating a regional startup database, resource-navigation platform, student venture showcase, and 40+-partner entrepreneur support network serving founders across the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What UpSurge Baltimore does
UpSurge Baltimore is a non-profit ecosystem development organization founded in 2021 to strengthen the startup pipeline and innovation capacity of the Baltimore Region (Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA). Its product surface includes the UpSurge Startup Database (a first-of-its-kind regional tracking system for private, for-profit companies, enriched by data from LinkedIn, PitchBook, Crunchbase, and Tracxn with cited sources and partner validation), UpSurge Discover (a resource-navigation platform powered by EcoMap Technologies providing toolkits, events, and coworking-space information), the MD Student Venture Showcase and Pava LaPere Innovation Awards (a $50,000 non-dilutive grant program for student-founded technology startups funded by the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act of 2024 and administered via TEDCO), the Entrepreneur Support Network (a coordinating body of 40+ partner organizations), and the Inflection Point Healthcare Summit (a sector convening). The organization was acquired by the Greater Baltimore Committee in April 2025 and now operates as a wholly-owned initiative of GBC aligned with the All In 2035 economic opportunity plan.
UpSurge Baltimore firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UpSurge Baltimore
- Legal name
- Upsurge Baltimore
- Website
- https://upsurgebaltimore.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- UpSurge Baltimore is a non-profit ecosystem development organization founded in 2021 and acquired by the Greater Baltimore Committee in April 2025, operating a regional startup database, resource-navigation platform, student venture showcase, and 40+-partner entrepreneur support network serving founders across the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UpSurge Baltimore industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Ecosystem Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Business Service Centers (56143)
- SIC
- Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
Keywords
Where UpSurge Baltimore is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
UpSurge Baltimore business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: Non-profit organization funded primarily through grants from corporate partners, foundations, and government programs to support ecosystem development initiatives.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
UpSurge Baltimore product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UpSurge Baltimore is a non-profit ecosystem development organization that strengthens the startup pipeline in the Baltimore Region by convening stakeholders, stewarding a regional Entrepreneur Support Network, operating the UpSurge Discover resource navigation platform and the UpSurge Startup Database, and running programs such as the MD Student Venture Showcase & Pava LaPere Innovation Awards and the Inflection Point Healthcare Summit. All offerings are provided free to founders, funded by grants, partner contributions, and institutional backing from the Greater Baltimore Committee.
Product overview
UpSurge Baltimore operates as an ecosystem development organization rather than a traditional software product company. Its portfolio consists of programs and platforms focused on startup advancement in the Baltimore Region. The core offerings include: UpSurge Discover (a resource navigation platform powered by EcoMap Technologies), the UpSurge Startup Database (a regional company tracking database), the MD Student Venture Showcase & Pava Innovation Awards (student entrepreneurship program), the Entrepreneur Support Network (ESO coordination network), and the Inflection Point Healthcare Summit (sector-specific event). These offerings work together to strengthen the startup pipeline, convene stakeholders, and position the Baltimore Region for competitiveness.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UpSurge Discover: A resource navigation platform powered by EcoMap Technologies for entrepreneurial resources in the Baltimore Region, including toolkits, events, coworking spaces, and connections to support organizations.
- The UpSurge Startup Database
- MD Student Venture Showcase & Pava LaPere Innovation Awards
Products and services
- UpSurge Discover A digital resource navigation platform that serves as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurial resources in the Baltimore Region, powered by EcoMap Technologies. Enables founders to find toolkits, events, coworking spaces, and connections to support organizations.
- UpSurge Startup Database A first-of-its-kind regional database tracking private, for-profit companies in the Baltimore Region, enriched by data from LinkedIn, PitchBook, Crunchbase, and Tracxn. Includes validation from regional partners and produces reports on companies by industry, county, capital raised, and growth indicators.
- MD Student Venture Showcase & Pava LaPere Innovation Awards An annual showcase and award program funded by the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act of 2024, providing $50,000 non-dilutive grants to technology-based student startups from institutions in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA, administered through TEDCO.
- Entrepreneur Support Network A network of 40+ entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) in the Baltimore Region that improves entrepreneurs' navigation to opportunities, aligns curated startup pipelines, and connects founders to investors and corporate customers. Includes a digital front door through BMore Tech Connect powered by EcoMap Technologies.
- Inflection Point Healthcare Summit An inaugural healthcare summit bringing together health system CEOs, policymakers, and investors to discuss artificial intelligence's role in value-based care, drawing on data from the Greater Baltimore Ecosystem Report.
Quantifiable outcome
- $559.8M raised by Baltimore Region startups across 77 deals in 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use UpSurge Baltimore
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UpSurge Baltimore technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
UpSurge Baltimore partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Greater Baltimore CommitteeflagshipAcquired UpSurge Baltimore in April 2025 to join forces and accelerate innovation and foster regional collaboration. UpSurge operates as part of GBC with focus on improving founders' ability to launch and scale startups.
- TEDCOcoreTEDCO administers the Pava Innovation Acceleration Grants, disbursing $50,000 awards to student-founded companies. Provides ecosystem support including mentorship, business development, and technical resources.
- EcoMap TechnologiescorePowers UpSurge Discover platform, providing the technology infrastructure for entrepreneurial resource navigation in the Baltimore Region.
- TechstarscorePart of the Entrepreneur Support Network providing accelerator programs and resources to Baltimore Region startups.
- Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV)coreInnovation arm of Johns Hopkins University, providing technology transfer and venture development support within the network.
- bwtech@UMBCcoreTechnology incubator at UMBC supporting cybersecurity and life sciences startups.
- Blackbird LabscoreSupports underrepresented founders and diverse teams in the Baltimore ecosystem.
- 1501 Health (CareFirst accelerator)coreHealthcare-focused accelerator providing resources for health tech startups.
- The Novella Center for EntrepreneurshipcoreEntrepreneurship center supporting founders through resources and programs.
- University System of Maryland (USM)coreIncludes USM Momentum Fund providing non-dilutive funding to startups.
- Morgan State University Innovation and Entrepreneurship CentercoreSupporting student entrepreneurs and diverse founders at Morgan State University.
- Loyola University Simon CentercoreSupporting student entrepreneurs through Loyola's entrepreneurship center.
- Towson StarTUpcoreStartup incubator at Towson University supporting student ventures.
- BMore Tech ConnectcoreDigital front door powered by EcoMap Technologies for resource navigation, enabling entrepreneurs to find programs, events, and opportunities fit for their stage, industry, and sector.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
UpSurge Baltimore competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- gener8tor: Operates accelerator programs and talent/concierge platforms that connect startups to corporates, investors, and ecosystem partners across multiple U.S. metros. Directly comparable to UpSurge as a community-led ecosystem builder that convenes founders, capital, and corporate partners.
- Techstars: Global accelerator and ecosystem network running metro-based and sector-based programs, including in the Baltimore area. UpSurge lists Techstars as a core Entrepreneur Support Network partner, and both organizations share a community- and program-led model for advancing early-stage startups.
- Mass Challenge: Runs accelerator programs and curated founder support networks tied to regional economic development. Comparable to UpSurge as a non-equity, ecosystem-focused accelerator that relies on corporate and government partners to fund programming.
- 1776: Startup hub and platform that convenes founders, corporates, and policymakers to drive innovation in specific verticals and regions. Highly comparable to UpSurge's community_led, event-driven model of ecosystem building.
- Venture For America: Non-profit that places and supports early-stage entrepreneurs in mid-Atlantic and other U.S. cities to strengthen regional startup ecosystems. Comparable in mission (equity-driven economic development) and funding model (grants, corporate sponsors).
Broad incumbents
- Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): Operates large-scale innovation campuses that combine coworking, accelerator programming, and venture support across multiple cities. Broader incumbent that overlaps with UpSurge in providing shared infrastructure and convening for regional startup communities.
Regional players
- Betamore: Baltimore-based incubator and coworking space supporting local tech startups. Direct regional peer to UpSurge, often co-serving the same Baltimore founder community though focused on physical workspace rather than ecosystem coordination.
- FastForward (Johns Hopkins): Johns Hopkins' startup accelerator and innovation hub in Baltimore, focused on commercializing JHU-affiliated ventures. A regional peer and UpSurge ESN partner that overlaps heavily on the life-sciences and health-tech pipeline UpSurge convenes.
- TEDCO: Maryland's state technology development corporation funding and supporting early-stage startups. A direct regional peer and UpSurge partner that administers the Pava Innovation Acceleration Grants feeding UpSurge's student venture program.
Others
- Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB): Regional economic development organization promoting business growth, talent attraction, and investment in the Baltimore region. Adjacent to UpSurge's mandate and likely collaborator under the GBC umbrella, but focused on broader economic development rather than startup-specific programs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UpSurge Baltimore social profiles
Digital presenceUpSurge Baltimore financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UpSurge Baltimore leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
UpSurge Baltimore funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UpSurge Baltimore M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UpSurge Baltimore
What does UpSurge Baltimore do?
UpSurge Baltimore is a non-profit ecosystem development organization that strengthens the startup pipeline in the Baltimore Region by convening stakeholders, stewarding a regional Entrepreneur Support Network, operating the UpSurge Discover resource navigation platform and the UpSurge Startup Database, and running programs such as the MD Student Venture Showcase & Pava LaPere Innovation Awards and the Inflection Point Healthcare Summit. All offerings are provided free to founders, funded by grants, partner contributions, and institutional backing from the Greater Baltimore Committee.
Is UpSurge Baltimore a public or private company?
UpSurge Baltimore is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was UpSurge Baltimore founded?
UpSurge Baltimore was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is UpSurge Baltimore based?
UpSurge Baltimore is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does UpSurge Baltimore make money?
One revenue line is on record: grant Funding.
Who are UpSurge Baltimore's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are gener8tor, Techstars, Mass Challenge, 1776 and Venture For America. Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Betamore, FastForward (Johns Hopkins) and TEDCO. Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB) is listed as an others.
Does UpSurge Baltimore have an API?
No public API is recorded for UpSurge Baltimore.
What industry is UpSurge Baltimore in?
UpSurge Baltimore's product category is Startup Ecosystem Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of BPAGADAB, K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8744.