ETC Baltimore backs medical adhesive startup Gelectric with $250K
What's the deal? Emerging Technology Centers (ETC) Baltimore, an initiative of the Baltimore Development CorporationDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, has invested $250,000 in Gelectric MedicalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a local startup developing smart, reversible medical adhesives. ETC led the round as part of its push to support women and underrepresented founders.
What's the endgame? Founded by inventor Dr. Leah Klein Borden, Gelectric will use the money to advance NüGel, a gentle skin adhesive for neonatal intensive care units. Many adhesives on the market can damage or tear delicate skin on removal, causing complications.
A second product, AnastoTape, is being developed as a suture-free way to repair internal tissues, starting with gastrointestinal procedures. Both products spun out of research at the University of MarylandDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
Why now? Gelectric has worked with ETC on strategy, diligence, and ecosystem connections since 2025. With NüGel's launch expected within the next year, the company is entering a pivotal stage, and the investment unlocks ETC's full support package — including discounted lab space at Connect Labs by WexfordDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, plus regulatory and commercialisation advice.
The startup projects roughly $7 million in annual revenue by its fifth year after launch, rising to $40 million by year 10. It is completing a Seed-A round and plans a later Seed-B round to fund commercialisation and scale.
"The science is rigorous, it came out of a Maryland lab, and the team chose Baltimore to build it," said Leo Senai, interim executive director of ETC.
The signal: At $250,000, this is a modest, early cheque — but it reflects ETC's model of pairing small investments with hands-on studio support to keep local university research commercialising in Baltimore. The Baltimore Development Corporation says it has backed over 700 startups since 1999.
Read more: baltimoredevelopment.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
