The ninth annual Baltimore Homecoming wrapped up last week with the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem taking center stage at the event’s signature pitch competition, Crab Tank. Myya Health, a direct-to-consumer post-mastectomy apparel and prosthetics company founded by Jasmine Jones, was awarded the $25,000 grand prize.
The two-day program brought Baltimore “expats” and alumni back to the city to reconnect with local innovators and civic leaders. Events began with a reception at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, followed by a full day of programming at 4MLK, the University of Maryland BioPark’s new life sciences hub on the city’s west side. Sessions highlighted economic development, nonprofit leadership, and business growth, with Crab Tank serving as a marquee attraction.
Crab Tank, launched in 2019, is designed to spotlight Baltimore-based ventures that are revenue-generating and positioned for growth. The competition drew nearly 90 applicants this year, which were narrowed to 10 semifinalists and then to five finalists through a combination of committee review and public voting.
The 2025 finalists represented a cross-section of Baltimore’s innovation economy:
- Myya Health, post-mastectomy bras and breast prostheses founded by Jasmine Jones
- Coordle, a youth sports travel logistics platform founded by Jen Fry, PhD
- ZenJoy, an adaptogenic tea brand led by Mack Anderson
- Cajou Creamery, a plant-based frozen dessert company founded by Nicole Foster and Dwight Campbell
- BioBuzz Networks, a life sciences talent marketplace founded by Chris Frew
While Myya captured the top prize, all five finalists gained exposure before investors, civic leaders, and alumni who participate in Baltimore Homecoming’s mentorship and networking activities.
Since its introduction, Crab Tank has awarded cash prizes and visibility to dozens of local companies across industries ranging from consumer products to technology and life sciences. Organizers position the competition as a way to pair capital with community connections, aiming to accelerate business growth within the region.
For Myya, the Crab Tank win represents more than recognition. Jones shared in her pitch that the $25,000 prize will support the opening of a Baltimore storefront located near a major hospital system, with the goal of reaching thousands of patients across the region.
The company was born out of Jones’s personal journey honoring her grandmother, who had undergone a mastectomy. What began as a way to fill a gap in patient-centered products has grown into a mission-driven brand poised for national reach. Myya is also in the process of raising a new round of investment to support its next phase of growth.
In addition to the grand prize, Myya also won the $2,500 viewers’ choice award, voted on by attendees at the Signature Event. The dual recognition underscored both the judges’ confidence and the crowd’s enthusiasm for Jones’s vision.
As Baltimore Homecoming approaches its tenth year, Crab Tank continues to stand out as a platform for elevating early-stage ventures and reinforcing Baltimore’s reputation as a city of innovation and opportunity. With Myya’s win, the competition highlighted not just business potential, but the power of legacy, mission, and community impact.
