Emerging Technology Centers announced the seven companies that have been accepted into its 2018 Accelerate Baltimore cohort.
Accelerate Baltimore, now in its seventh year, added a spot for one additional startup to participate in its four-month program this year. In past years, only six startups were selected per cohort.
The accelerator aims to help startups develop their products or services to bring them closer to commercialization. It is backed by funding from the Abell Foundation and sponsored by Miles & Stockbridge, Think|Stack, Elluminis Consulting, Harbor Designs, Capital One and Foodify.
Each participating company is awarded $25,000 in seed funds and will have access to free office space, mentors and advisors, incubation services and educational programming, including a course on how to pitch for funding through investor-created tool, Pitch Creator. One company will also be selected to receive an additional $100,000 after completing the program.
Here is the newest cohort:
At Night Athletic — A maker of illuminated athletic apparel with rechargeable, built-in LED lights and additional safety features like a distress alarm and associated mobile application to text emergency contacts a predefined message and GPS location, in case of emergency.
ClearMask — A maker of a full-face, transparent surgical mask that facilitates more "human" whole-face communication in health care settings.
Fleet by MasT — Created a software suite that helps organizations streamline operations and drive sustained member engagement.
IsItGood — A social, personalized recommendation platform for podcasts that lets users keep up with what their friends are listening to, and find their next favorite podcast.
Minnowtech — An application and phone attachment that provides fishermen with real-time fish measurement technologies and analysis tools to track and interpret their catch.
Sonavi Labs — Created a smart stethoscope with on-board diagnostic capabilities improves access to health care in non-traditional clinical environments and allows for home and remote patient monitoring.
Well-Kept Beauty — A mobile application that helps ingredient-conscious consumers manage their skin health by monitoring and tracking cosmetic ingredients and expiration.
The program concludes in June with an event where participants will pitch their businesses to angel investors, venture capitalists, the press and the Baltimore tech community. That is where one winner will receive a check for an extra $100,000. Last year, the prize went to Barttron, a startup that is developing a smart collar for pets.
Other successful Accelerate Baltimore graduates include Artichoke, a platform which helps freelancers with business operations and is currently raising a round of equity crowdfunding, and Fusiform, which is now called FactoryFour and builds software for 3-D manufacturing of medical devices.
Overall, Accelerate Baltimore has supported 34 companies that have raised $15.7 million in funding and created 95 jobs in the city.