A Journey of Innovation: My Experience in Baltimore's Pioneer Program

Meet the Pioneer Baltimore C0-Starters - Andrew Benson Greene and other innovators. As the Pioneer Baltimore CoStarters program neared its conclusion, each participant was honored with a certificate—a tangible recognition of their entrepreneurial journey. But the true highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a round navigate symbol—a unique emblem reserved for the boldest of innovators, a quest for discovery, for transformation, for navigating uncharted waters in pursuit of dreams.

Crafted with meticulous care and steeped in maritime tradition, the round navigate symbol represented more than just a token. It symbolized the pioneer's quest for discovery and transformation—a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, but ultimately leading to growth and success.

As the pioneers received their symbols, a sense of pride and accomplishment filled the room. It was a moment of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for the adventures yet to come. With their symbols in hand, they carried not only a token but a legacy—a legacy of courage, creativity, and endless possibilities.

ETC is looking to help on-the-fence entrepreneurs with its Pioneer Baltimore program. Here's how to get involved. There’s a lot of milestones in the process of building a startup, but it all starts with an idea. Even before officially becoming a business, there’s a lot of work that goes into figuring out whether or not.

I think Pioneer Baltimore Program adds to the long history of the city's knack for innovation and creativity. Baltimore, a city with its undisguised vibrant energy, and outstanding history of welcoming the entrepreneurs from all parts of the world, was a natural attraction for me. I therefore embarked on a transformative journey within the Emerging Technology Centers' (ETC) Pioneer Baltimore program. Over the course of nine weeks, I immersed myself in a world of creativity, collaboration, and relentless pursuit of innovation. Guided by the expertise of facilitators like Jacqueline Albright and Henry Mortimer. But it was the leadership of the longtime executive director and president Deb Tillett that attracted me to the program itself. Deb and I have met at a couple of Baltimore Innovation Week programs before I took on an interest at the ETC Pioneer Baltimore programs. In fact, it was Deb whose leadership and primary organizing role with support from ETC partners like Technical.ly that helped to launch several entrepreneurial careers by offering affordable coworking space; and made an early case for Baltimore’s entrepreneurial economy before more historic corporations put their foot in it.

From the very beginning, the Pioneer Program captured my imagination and ignited my passion for entrepreneurship, self-discovery and the skills for customer acquisition. Surrounded by fellow dreamers and innovators, I felt a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Together, we delved deep into the intricacies of customer development, refining our value propositions, and shaping our visions for the future. Through workshops, lectures, and hands-on exercises, we honed our skills and gained invaluable insights into the world of startups and small businesses.

But the journey was not without its challenges. Along the way, I encountered setbacks, doubts, and moments of uncertainty. Yet, it was in those moments of adversity that I discovered my true strength—the power of resilience. Supported by mentors from Baltimore's vibrant startup ecosystem, I found the courage to persevere, to adapt, and to overcome. And as I shared my journey with my fellow pioneers from Freetown Sierra Leone, to Halifax to Baltimore, I realized the true value of community and collaboration. Together, we brainstormed, shared ideas, collaborated and became a force to be reckoned with, united by a shared passion for innovation and a determination to succeed.

On pitch night, the culmination of our journey, I stood before the audience, with the very same passion and vibrancy that I have exhibited through out my entrepreneurship journey. With each word, I shared my vision for Coinfidence—a social network designed to empower young entrepreneurs by connecting them to experienced entrepreneurs through a gaming program. Over the years, I would say that concept has evolved to include a FinTech component to broaden the scope of my start-p to disrupt the philanthropic sector through generosity fueled by the transformative power of innovation. As I looked out into the crowd, I saw the faces of my fellow pioneers, each one a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance.

AJ Golden's vision for ChargCycl, a network of electric vehicle charging stations, showcased his commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. Aline Lin's Userhappy aimed to revolutionize website usability testing through multimedia, while Scott Feldman's imAWARE provided 24/7 support to complement psychological treatment of depression, offering a lifeline to those in need. Stuart Tweedie's Lunar Pay aimed to reduce remittance prices for immigrants sending money home to Africa, fostering financial inclusion and empowerment.

Carlos Ramos's Greenbar aimed to revolutionize medication prescribing in pharmacies, ensuring patients receive the right treatment every time. Bianca Thompson's Fablancers sought to create an online community for freelancers in the fashion and beauty industry, fostering collaboration and creativity. Dean Burney and Jameel Moses's Tourlighter aimed to help bands find tour locations and connect with music fans, while Zach Diehl's MythicFit utilized crowdsourcing to identify future leaders. Matthew Menter's Glitter Pictures aimed to create LGBT-focused content, providing representation and visibility to underrepresented communities. Brittany Gerald's MobiDox aimed to streamline drug safety data processing for pharmaceutical companies, enhancing patient safety and regulatory compliance. Alistair Penny's Dex sought to revolutionize business networking by providing an alternative to traditional business cards, while Ope Thomas's Roadi aimed to simplify parking location services, reducing stress and congestion in urban areas.

As the program drew to a close, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such an inspiring and transformative experience. Baltimore's Pioneer Program had not only equipped me with the tools and knowledge to navigate the entrepreneurial terrain but had also instilled in me a sense of purpose and determination. As I venture forth into the unknown, I carry with me the lessons learned and the connections forged, ready to make my mark on the world and inspire the next generation of innovators.

In the entrepreneurship landscape, Baltimore's Pioneer Program can be viewed as picturesque, standing visually attractive and serving as a shining example of what happens when passion meets purpose and determination meets community. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, the resilience of the human spirit, and the boundless potential that lies within each and every one of us. As we continue on our entrepreneurial journey, let us carry forth the torch of innovation and blaze a trail of inspiration for generations to come.

Andrew Benson Greene

BA - International Relations, Civil Law and English, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, 1998

Jeanne Sauvé Scholar, McGill University. Montreal, 2004/5

UN ITU Telecom World Digital Innovation Fellow, Geneva 2011

MS Law Candidate, Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore.