University of Maryland, Baltimore Partners with xFoundry Alliance to Expand Student Opportunities in Innovation

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is building on its focus on innovative health care through a new partnership that will allow the university to advance its mission of improving the human condition.

By Emily Bleiweis
September 3, 2025

UMB proudly announces its membership in the xFoundry Alliance, a groundbreaking initiative committed to transforming universities into hubs of innovation and problem-solving. Backed by the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s (UMSOP) esteemed Pharmapreneurship program, this partnership provides students with unparalleled access to xFoundry’s innovative resources and hands-on opportunities.

Through the xFoundry Alliance, students from UMB’s seven professional schools – Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, and Graduate Studies – will now be eligible to participate in the prestigious Xperience Competition, a multi-stage program designed to empower students to develop scalable solutions to global challenges. Participants will gain access to xFoundry’s comprehensive Resource MatriX (a suite of tools and services for venture development), compete for funding investments totaling up to $2 million, and connect with seasoned mentors and industry leaders.

“We are thrilled to join the xFoundry Alliance and extend these world-class opportunities to our students,” said Joga Gobburu, PhD, MBA, the Gyi Endowed Memorial Professor in Pharmapreneurship at UMSOP, professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research, and director of the School’s Center for Translational Medicine. “The Pharmapreneurship program has always sought to push boundaries, and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation and real-world impact. Pharmapreneurship is UMB’s campus-wide commitment to turn the art of science and ideas into real, lasting healthcare solutions. This partnership with xFoundry reflects that mission—equipping our community to push boundaries and shape the future of healthcare.”

This partnership is more than a competitive platform. UMB students will benefit from xFoundry’s broader mission to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, refine innovative ideas, and prepare the next generation of leaders to tackle challenges in sustainability, health care, education, and beyond.

The flagship program, Xperience, invites students to collaborate across disciplines, offering structured support through its key stages:

1. The NEXPLORE Summit and Horizons Challenge: A venue for multidisciplinary teams to identify pressing global issues and propose problem statements.
2. The Xperience Competition: A 15-month entrepreneurial sprint of building prototypes, gaining market validation, and refining business plans.
3. The Launch Pad: The winning teams launch their businesses with up to $2 million in investment and guidance from experienced executives.

With access to the Resource MatriX, UMB students will leverage tools like the AI-powered CognoXent, the Xperiment Academic Curriculum, and the Xpand Startup Accelerator to build impactful ventures.

Aligned with xFoundry’s mission, the Pharmapreneurship – xFoundry @ UMB program continues to solidify its leadership in fostering innovation and collaboration among students. Anchored by this new relationship, UMB reinforces its commitment to producing not just health care professionals, but leaders poised to make a difference across industries.

About xFoundry Alliance

Founded in 2023, xFoundry is an innovative non-profit initiative that transforms universities into dynamic solution engines through interdisciplinary collaboration and venture-building competitions. Its flagship program, the Xperience Competition, empowers students to address societal grand challenges by providing mentorship, funding pathways, and AI-driven resources.

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