Launching into space, from Baltimore

Newsletter for September 11, 2024

Space commercialization has ramped up in recent years, and a new local startup has burst onto the scene. Space Phoenix is trying to make it easier for businesses and organizations to get goods into space, with leadership actively raising capital to make the plans a reality. More on that below.

Also, pretty interesting to note there's been significant growth in the tech and startup ecosystem in the Southeast US. Keep scrolling for the details.

— Kaela, Technical.ly lead reporter in Baltimore and DC

After its launch party last month, Space Phoenix has a quick timeline in mind. Cofounder and CEO Andrew Parlock is targeting 2025 for the company's first space cargo trip.

Ultimately, he's aiming to help people get their payloads — such as instruments for communications, tools for data collection, or whatever needs to be delivered — into orbit and back in a way that's both fast and cheap.

“The industry is massively constrained because there’s all this friction to get to space,” Parlock told me. “If you want to bring something to space, Space Phoenix’s model is do the thing that you do best … and then we’ll take care of everything else.”

➡️ Read more about Phoenix's mission to democratize space shipping

What makes the ecosystems unique in the Southeast? Favorable tax policies and a unique culture, Technical.ly CEO Christopher Wink writes. Also, the disruptive pandemic is a factor in this entrepreneurial boom.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth post-pandemic,” one CEO said. “People realized they could move back to their home state and still access capital from anywhere. The desire to start something and solve real problems has only grown stronger.”

➡️ Get the details about the different tech ecosystems here

Tens of thousands of women and nonbinary technologists will convene in Philly for the annual Grace Hopper Celebration this October.

Named after Rear Admiral Grace Hopper — one of the first women to receive a doctorate in mathematics — GHC 24 brings together technologists for networking and professional development, and to recognize the work women and nonbinary people are doing in the industry. With a stacked lineup of speakers and sessions, it’s a place to hear from like-minded professionals and uncover insights into the next big trends.

➡️Join the community in Philly and virtually, Oct. 8-11

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• TEDCO landed $10 million from the US Department of the Treasury to help small businesses get connected with tech and legal services. [Baltimore Biz Journal]

• A Baltimore man allegedly stole four speed cameras throughout the city. This follows Baltimore relaunching the speed camera program after it was found cameras were incorrectly issuing tickets to drivers who were not speeding. [Baltimore Banner]

• Baltimore-based Under Armour says it'll need to spend about $140 million to restructure the company. [Baltimore Sun]

• Cell phone restrictions differ from county to county in schools in Maryland, but the state superintendent may present a cohesive plan to the state Board of Education soon. [Maryland Matters]

• Community organization Baltimore Homecoming announced the finalists for its Crab Tank Entrepreneurship Program. The next step is a pitch competition in 2025. [Baltimore Homecoming]

• Loyola University Maryland is partnering with Gettysburg College to open its accelerated MBA to the students at the Pennsylvania school. [Loyola]

• We're hiring a contract events reporter in Baltimore! If you love networking and being the go-to person in the scene, and want a platform to share what you experience, check out this listing and apply. [Technical.ly]