The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) today announced that the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) and MedStar Health have joined CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and Johns Hopkins as anchor collaborators for Techstars AI Health Baltimore, marking the first time these institutions have come together in a single accelerator collaboration.

The expanded group brings the region’s leading health systems, payer and academic research institutions into a shared platform designed to support early-stage startups developing AI-driven healthcare solutions. The collaboration provides founders with access to diverse clinical environments, operational models and commercialization pathways.

“This is a milestone moment for Baltimore’s innovation economy,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “Our region’s major health systems, payer and academic leader are aligned around a single accelerator to help founders turn promising ideas into scalable solutions, strengthening healthcare delivery and Baltimore’s long-term economic competitiveness.”

Techstars AI Health Baltimore is the organization’s flagship healthcare accelerator, leveraging Baltimore’s strong concentration of hospitals, research institutions and healthcare talent. The program runs two 13-week cohorts annually and supports startups building solutions across care delivery, clinical operations, revenue cycle, patient engagement and population health. The next cohort will begin its accelerator program on March 10.

“From a founder’s perspective, this is significant,” said Nick Culbertson, managing director of Techstars AI Health Baltimore. “This is the first time these institutions have all come together in this way, giving founders access to a range of systems, perspectives and opportunities. That diversity of access and options is a meaningful advantage for companies building in healthcare.”

As anchor collaborators, UMMS, UMB, MedStar Health, CareFirst and Johns Hopkins will engage directly with participating startups, offering insight into clinical workflows, payer dynamics, research translation and system-level implementation to help founders demonstrate value and accelerate adoption.

“Johns Hopkins believes that health innovations emerge when leading clinical institutions engage directly with entrepreneurs who are solving real-world problems,” said Kevin Sowers, president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “By expanding this collaboration, we are strengthening an ecosystem where new ideas can mature into practical solutions for patients and providers. We are proud to help cultivate a Baltimore-based innovation community that accelerates progress in healthcare.”

“Healthcare AI only matters if it improves outcomes for patients and providers across every care setting, team and operational model,” said Ricardo Johnson, executive vice president at CareFirst. “With the state’s four largest healthcare organizations focused on how we use AI to advance health, the Techstars accelerator helps us build solutions that improve care and affordability at scale and take bold steps toward redefining the healthcare experience in Maryland.”

“UMMS is proud to join this initiative at a time when collaboration is essential to advancing healthcare innovation,” said Mohan Suntha, president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System and board chair of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “Working together through Techstars allows us to support founders developing solutions that improve patient outcomes while reinforcing Baltimore’s leadership in healthcare and life sciences.”

“MedStar Health is honored to come together with the breadth of Baltimore’s healthcare ecosystem to help shape the future of our industry,” said Bradley S. Chambers, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Baltimore Region, MedStar Health. “Techstars’ accelerator creates opportunities to collaborate with innovators developing compelling, scalable solutions to improve care delivery and operational performance.”

The 13-week program will culminate with Demo Day in June at M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, where participating founders will present their approaches to improving healthcare solutions. The public event will feature guest speakers, live startup pitches, networking, and will bring together investors, healthcare leaders and members of the broader innovation community.

The Techstars AI Health Baltimore accelerator builds on sustained civic and philanthropic investment in the region’s innovation ecosystem, positioning Baltimore as a national proving ground for healthcare and artificial intelligence. Additional details about Demo Day will be announced in the coming months. Those interested are encouraged to learn more about Techstars AI Health Baltimore and watch for opportunities to attend. To learn more, visit www.techstars.com/accelerators/baltimore-ai-health.

About Techstars

Techstars helps founders succeed. Through our global accelerators, we invest in early-stage startups led by founders building a better future for everyone. We leverage our vast network of alumni, mentors, partners, and investors to support entrepreneurs and build thriving startup communities. Since 2006, we have invested in industry-defining companies, including Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, Alloy, and many, many more.

About the Greater Baltimore Committee

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, providing insightful economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. Comprising more than 300 organizations — including businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and healthcare and educational institutions — the GBC is dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Greater Baltimore region. For more information, visit gbc.org.

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