About

The StarTUp at the Armory is a vibrant, public-focused space that creates new engagement opportunities for regional leaders, entrepreneurs and community members to connect, convene and collaborate alongside TU’s faculty, staff and students. 

The 26,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is home to signature TU entrepreneurship programs as well as student competitions and events. Small businesses and local entrepreneurs have access to a number of programs and resources focused on entrepreneurship and workforce development.

The building includes 6,000 sq. ft. of free co-working space and meeting rooms where community members, solo-preneurs, and students can connect with each other and to TU’s programs and people.

History

The Towson Academy, better known as the Towson Armory, was built in 1933 and is one of the last military armories built in Maryland during the reorganization and expansion of the National Guard system in the 20th century. By 1980, the building was minimally used by the National Guard. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 25, 1985.

Beginning in 2019, the historic armory building was overhauled by Greenberg Gibbons as part of the Towson Row development. Its historic touches were preserved to create a business engagement center that is a differentiator for TU and downtown Towson. The investment ensured that TU’s business engagement, entrepreneurship and StarTUp Accelerator programming continued to serve Greater Baltimore for the public good.

The StarTUp at the Armory opened in 2021 and has proven to be a best-in-class business engagement center that serves as a great example of what can be achieved through university-community partnerships. Since its launch, the StarTUp and its programming highlights TU’s role as an anchor institution and has received numerous national, state and local awards and recognitions.