Loyola Maryland opens applications for Baltipreneurs Accelerator program

Loyola University Maryland’s Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Wednesday announced the opening of the application process for its fifth Baltipreneurs Accelerator, a four-month part-time program supporting startup businesses and social ventures with training, technical assistance, mentorship, networking and access to capital.

Applications are available online and due Oct. 31.

The university will hold a Q&A session about the program and application process via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 16, at noon. Interested entrepreneurs can sign up for the session online.

The Baltipreneurs Accelerator will provide $40,000 in total funding to eight teams, including Loyola students, faculty and staff and entrepreneurs in Baltimore, and open doors to additional funding. The teams will attend 10 sessions from December 2023 through March 2024, culminating in a Demo Day showcase in early spring. Throughout the program, mentors, instructors, coaches and consultants will provide guidance customized for each team, and founders will collaborate with each other.

The program welcomes entrepreneurs in all industries and market sizes and gives preference to underserved entrepreneurs including women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs of color, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs with disabilities and veterans who served in the military. To date, 94% of Baltipreneurs identify as underserved.

Loyola will hold a Women Founders Pre-Application Bootcamp on Oct. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Loyola Notre Dame Library. The bootcamp will give women entrepreneurs a chance to network in person, learn about the Baltipreneurs Accelerator, and win a $500 pitch prize. Interested entrepreneurs can sign up for the bootcamp online.