Are you a maker? Inventor? Entrepreneur? Artist? Craftsperson? We are looking for Baltimore’s BEST product-based business ideas that can use Open Works’ resources to grow. If you can leverage our wood shop, metal shop, CNC router, laser cutter, 3D printer, sewing, or graphic design facilities to prove your idea and take it into production, we will give you the resources to do the rest!
This is our fifth year of putting cash investment on the line for Baltimore makers. But it’s not just money — we take you through workshops on business planning, pitching, fundraising, prototyping, and legal considerations. Since 2017, we’ve funded 20 companies and helped twice as many grow through mentorship and membership. Check out the full FAQ and workshop schedule here. Workshops are currently being planned as a mix of in-person and virtual programming in order to be as safe as possible during the pandemic.
PRIZES
1st place: $10,000
2nd place: $5,000
3rd place: $1,000
7 runners up: $250
All cohort companies also receive two free safety classes in our two most popular shops, Wood and Digital Fabrication, and 6 months of free “Pro” membership from January-June, 2022.
BIG THANK YOU to our sponsors the Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Abell Foundation.