From Baltimore to Beyond: Scaling Innovation Without Leaving Home
November 4, 2025At our November MIX, conversations centered around how Baltimore is transforming through the power of local ideas and global connections.
Terrance Smith, the city’s Chief Innovation Officer, champions solutions from those closest to the problem - preventing housing vacancies, improving public safety, and revitalizing neighborhoods. His vision: scale innovation globally without leaving home, a principle showcased when Baltimore hosted 170 international innovators.
Gaia, a muralist with two decades of experience, uses art as a catalyst for community building. With murals on every continent except Antarctica, he brings global skills back to Baltimore, leading large-scale projects and mentoring artists to blend tradition with technology.
Ken Malone at Early Charm turns university research into real-world products, from solar systems for shrimp farms to ceramic nose cones for hypersonic rockets. His work proves that deep tech thrives when rooted in local manufacturing and strong community ties.
Sherrod Davis of EcoMap Technologies builds platforms that centralize entrepreneurial resources, supporting over 100 ecosystems worldwide. His mission is to keep tech companies in Baltimore and strengthen the city’s innovation infrastructure.
Mandy Snyder from Baltimore Homecoming reconnects alumni with the city, reducing barriers for former residents to invest and share expertise. Through authentic storytelling, she highlights Baltimore’s momentum in entrepreneurship, arts, and neighborhood revitalization.
Together, these voices share a common belief: innovation is local, collaboration is essential, and Baltimore’s diversity is its strength. The city is proving that strong roots can create global impact.
