Baltimore Homecoming, an organization mobilizing a network of accomplished Baltimoreans based around the world to spark new collaborations and drive new investments in Baltimore’s future, announced a call for nominations and applications for its Crab Tank pitch competition sponsored by M&T Bank. Nominations open today, April 11, and close May 26, 2023.
The Crab Tank pitch competition launched in 2019 to spotlight and provide a platform for small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in Baltimore. New this year, Baltimore Homecoming is opening nominations to the public and seeking its help in identifying startups and businesses to highlight in addition to encouraging founders and companies to self-apply. The competition, sponsored by M&T Bank, provides local business owners an opportunity to compete for a $25,000 grand prize and $2,500 people’s choice award.
“This will be our third Crab Tank, and each year the competition provides innovative leaders with an opportunity to showcase their work, passion and potential in front of some of Baltimore’s most engaged alumni and business leaders,” said Matt Reeds, Baltimore Homecoming’s deputy director. “Baltimore has a strong ecosystem of talent, which is why we wanted to expand our reach this year and hear from the community about who they want to see win the $25,000 grand prize.”
Baltimore Homecoming is accepting nominations from the public and applications from startups and businesses on the Baltimore Business Journal website until May 26, 2023. Then, a Baltimore Homecoming committee comprised of M&T Bank staff, past Crab Tank entrepreneurs and leaders in the technology and finance industries will select 10 companies for the Baltimore community to vote on and decide the top five companies who will pitch to an audience and panel of judges from the business and technology community during Baltimore Homecoming’s signature event on October 20.
“In celebration of small businesses and entrepreneurship, M&T Bank is thrilled to sponsor Baltimore Homecoming’s Crab Tank for the third year,” said Augie Chiasera, M&T Bank’s president for Greater Baltimore. “This is an opportunity to showcase the incredible innovation of our local entrepreneurs and provide the knowledge, resources or connections that could accelerate the growth of their ideas.”
The Crab Tank pitch competition is one of two signature community engagement programs that Baltimore Homecoming offers annually. The program serves to expand and uplift small to medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs by providing coaching resources to help finalists refine their pitches and high-quality video content to use for marketing. Following the event, winners continue to benefit from the program with opportunities to network with Baltimore Homecoming’s alumni and community partners at regional events, increase visibility on a larger scale and increase access to social, intellectual and financial capital.
Winning the Crab Tank in 2019 provided Femly Founder and CEO Arion Long with the financial backing needed to start the design process for Femly’s patent-pending and first-of-its-kind feminine hygiene dispenser which helped her continue to pitch for additional capital. In 2022, Susan Clayton, inventor and owner of WhitePaws RunMitts, an outdoor gear and apparel company best known for its patented, convertible and thumbless mittens, used her prize money to support manufacturing and to help scale her business. Learn more about 2022’s Crab Tank finalists here.
“Taking home the $25,000 prize in 2022 was pivotal for my business,” said Susan Clayton, owner and inventor of WhitePaws RunMitts and the 2022 Crab Tank pitch competition winner. “It came at the best possible time to help scale my business and fulfill a large manufacturing order. Beyond the prize money, I’ve been introduced to so many engaged Baltimoreans who are cheering me on and helping WhitePaws RunMitts continue to grow.”
To nominate a Baltimore business for Baltimore Homecoming’s Crab Tank pitch competition, visit baltimorehomecoming.com/crabtanknom23 or to apply as a business, visit baltimorehomecoming.com/crabtankapp23.
About Baltimore Homecoming, Inc.
Baltimore Homecoming, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to connect Baltimoreans from across the world with the city’s leaders and innovators to spark new collaborations and drive new investments in Baltimore’s future. Founded by Nate Loewentheil and JM Schapiro,, Baltimore Homecoming engages the professional community through its board of directors which includes Loewentheil, Schapiro, Rachel Bendit; Jack Bisciotti of Pointfield Partners; Michael Chesser, chairman emeritus of Great Plains Energy; Michael Fader, vice president of MileOne Holdings; Josepha Hendler; Dr. Charles Johnson-Bey, senior vice president of Booz Allen Hamilton; Arion Long, founder and CEO of Femly; Anthony Moag, chief operating officer of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; Chip Wendler, former vice president of strategic distribution initiatives at T. Rowe Price; and Brittany Young, founder and CEO of B-360. More information is available at www.baltimorehomecoming.com.
About M&T Bank
M&T is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T’s Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.
