Towson University’s award-winning StarTUp Accelerator continues to be a sought-after resource for the region’s entrepreneurs. It serves as a catalyst for innovation, provides resources, mentorship and support needed to turn vision into reality.
While the StarTUp team received a record-breaking 100+ applications to its award-winning program, only 10 ventures were ultimately selected into its seventh cohort.
This year’s cohort features ventures that span a wide range of industries, including medical technology, consumer packaged goods, healthcare innovation and education technology. Each venture brings a unique perspective and solution to the table, promising to make a meaningful impact on their respective fields.
- Bringing America Sports Health, founded by Collin Francis, empowers athletes to manage, share, and understand their health data — on their terms.
- The Creative Representation Empire, founded by Naomi Winston, is an educational resource company that specializes in culturally representative coloring books and programs.
- Fetal Therapy Technologies, founded by Selena Shirkin, is a pediatric microsurgical device company developing purpose-built surgical tools and training models that empower fetal surgeons to perform safer, more effective fetal surgeries.
- Monneah’s Engineered Materials, founded by Aalliyeh Clinton, develops durable, non-disposable, chemical-resistant lab coats that provide superior protection, comfort and style for STEM professionals.
- Pancibus, founded by Thomas Penaherrera, not only creates an all-natural condiment blending chutney and salsa, Chalsa, but is building an omnichannel platform that helps creators launch flavor-driven products through licensing and royalties.
- Premedly, founded by Tasheema Prince, is a platform that gives early-career healthcare workers the coaching, content, and connections they need to love their careers and deliver better care.
- Props, founded by Logan Cundiff, transforms passive members into active contributors for membership-based organizations.
- Psybr Health Inc., founded by Eric Marshall, delivers HIPAA-compliant XR and AI-powered therapy to help veterans heal through immersive, trauma-informed care.
- Share, founded by Jay Bassich ’17, provides neighbor-to-neighbor short-term rentals for tools, leisure equipment and dozens of other items where it does not make sense to buy outright.
- Total Home Physical Therapy in A Bag, founded by Hilda Emeruwa, provides cost-effective and accessible physical therapy solutions designed for individuals with mobility challenges.
Beginning in June the founders will work full-time out of the StarTUp at the Armory to fast-track their ventures. Over the course of eight weeks, they will collaborate with one another, gain expert mentorship, and take part in weekly programming. In September, they will highlight their progress at the annual StarTUp Accelerator Showcase.
Joining these ventures are founders from the Student Accelerator, which supports student-led ventures from the TU College Cup who are introducing their products into the market. This year, Meal Mode won the top prize in TU’s fourth annual College Cup. Developed by Tamsir Toure ’26 and Ahmed Satti ’24, Meal Mode provides healthy, delicious lunches for kids through a seamless, reliable school lunch service, eliminating the barriers schools face in meal delivery.
In addition, the other five finalists participating in the second Student Accelerator are:
- Draftspire is a graphic design platform that empowers users to easily create, customize and sell digital planners, eliminating the need for traditional paper planners.
- Earth’s Groove provides high-quality herbal tea blends and interactive workshops, creating a space for holistic herbal education.
- Mini Tech inspires young learners to become tech-savvy innovators by teaching coding, robotics and creative problem-solving in an exciting, hands-on environment.
- Palava Hut is a next-generation civic engagement platform designed to bridge the gap between citizens and policymakers through AI-powered policy insights, transparent fact-checking and community-driven decision-making.
- Wearable provides specially designed apparel that supports young patients with scoliosis, promoting confidence, comfort and mobility throughout the day.
The StarTUp Accelerator is funded in part by Baltimore County Workforce and Economic Development, MedStar Health, one of the region’s leading healthcare providers, Nemphos Braue, a boutique corporate law firm with strong ties to the startup community, Greenspring Advisors, an independent fee-only firm that takes pride in its efforts to create stronger and more equitable communities, and the Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs.
