Technical.ly

For small businesses, bookkeeping is tedious but necessary, and marketing is essential but not simple to execute. AI tools can help with both — if you know how to use them. That’s the idea behind a revamped accelerator out of the DC Chamber of Commerce. The three-year-old Small Business Accelerator Program is focusing this year on how entrepreneurs can use AI to boost business.

Founded by: Celine King Year founded: 2022 Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sector: Transportation Funding and valuation: $2 million raised Key ecosystem partners: Ben Franklin Technology Partners When GreenIRR founder and CEO Celine King talks to potential customers in the trucking industry, there’s one word she doesn’t lead with. “Never ‘sustainability,’” King told Technical.ly. GreenIRR (pronounced “Greener”) tracks emissions, fuel consumption and vehicle performance.

Founded by: Pedro Escobar, Ben Adams, Andrew Sabine Year founded: 2023 Headquarters: Greenville, SC Sector: Fintech Funding and valuation: Undisclosed Key ecosystem partners: Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Pedro Escobar’s first lesson in lending came when his family’s refrigerator broke. Raised in New York City by Honduran parents, Escobar learned about financial hardship early when a bank refused to offer his family a line of credit for a new appliance.

Three Virginia founders are moving forward in a March Madness-style pitch competition between the DMV’s three jurisdictions — and are closer to the chance of winning $1 million. Called Battle of the Regions, the contest is a new initiative created by local entrepreneurial organizations to foster friendly competition between the neighboring jurisdictions.

What did you want to be when you grew up? For many involved in building new technology, it wasn’t what they’re doing now. Of the seven dozen respondents to Technical.ly’s 2026 RealLIST Innovators survey, nearly three-quarters (7 in 10) said that when they were young, they didn’t know a role like their current one existed. In some cases, that’s because the technology or profession itself was still emerging — or hadn’t yet been imagined. In others, people simply didn’t realize it was an option.

Founded by: Jiajia Sollers Year founded: 2024 Headquarters: Sonoma, California Sector: Personal care Funding and valuation: $300,000 bootstrapped Key ecosystem partners: Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Power Beauty Collab With screen time up, our skin may be suffering — but one entrepreneur says she has a fix. Emerging science suggests blue light emitted from screens could damage skin cells, causing signs of aging.

Louisiana had $113 million in federal money to jump-start a startup economy. It decided the state should not be the one choosing the startups. The result? Federal money distributed by the state is seeding local investors to support a flywheel of Louisiana startup activity, and it comes with all the risks of venture-style investing.

• Trust among local leaders is the biggest differentiator in economic development, argues consultant Amy Holloway’s new book, “Trust Builders.” • The problem is that the seats holding that trust turn over every 2 to 4 years, while the projects take 30. • Amid declining national trust overall, federal data shows Americans are attending fewer public meetings. Louisiana ranks last.

This story was made possible through support from TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, which enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at tedcomd.com. All stories are independently reported, with no partner review.

A blood test that simplifies breast cancer screening. An artificial intelligence-powered app that helps music students find their voice. And a self-described “flight simulator for physical therapy students.” These three projects — each being built by a University of North Dakota faculty member, researcher or student — were selected as winners in the inaugural Lift-Off Showcase, hosted last week in the Gransberg Community Room of the Gorecki Alumni Center at UND.