BALTIMORE, MD (May 4, 2026) — Governor Wes Moore today announced that Impulse Biomed – a life sciences startup from Cape Town, South Africa – has joined the Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program. Administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce, the program gives international companies the opportunity to test out the U.S. market while mitigating some of the risk.
“Maryland’s competitive edge in the life sciences makes us a global destination for emerging innovators,” said Gov. Moore. “We’re very pleased to welcome Impulse Biomed to the state, and we thank them for making Maryland their home as they grow and explore the U.S. market.”
As an innovative multi-medical device development company, Impulse Biomed is focused on producing medical solutions that are affordable and reliable, specifically for individuals with asthma and allergies. The company’s products include an accessible device for asthma inhalers called Easy Squeezy that reduces the activation force required for use, and the ZiBiPen, a patented reloadable autoinjector that can be used for anaphylaxis or for rapid administration of other medications in the field.
“We are truly honored to be part of the program as establishing our U.S. presence through the Maryland Global Gateway program is a pivotal milestone for Impulse Biomedical,” said Impulse Biomed Co-Founder Giancarlo Beukes. “The strategic support from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the specialized expertise at The LaunchPort will be key in smoothing our transition into the U.S. market, ensuring we are well positioned for long-term success and impact.”
“We believe that Maryland is the ideal launchpad for the ZiBiPen in particular,” said Impulse Biomed Co-Founder Gokul Nair. “The ecosystem offers a direct line to regulatory expertise, manufacturing infrastructure, and commercial partners essential for market disruption and, of course, impact.”
The company will be located in Baltimore City at The LaunchPort, a medtech accelerator that guides international companies through the complex process of U.S. market entry and operational establishment. The LaunchPort officially became a Global Gateway Soft Landing partner this year, joining 17 other incubators in offering foreign businesses a home in Maryland.
“We are thrilled to be working closely with the Maryland Department of Commerce to bring promising international medtech companies to Baltimore,” said LaunchPort Managing Director Bob Storey. “LaunchPort brings a rare combination of deep medtech accelerator expertise and FDA-registered manufacturing infrastructure, built specifically for the regulatory and commercial complexity international companies face when entering the U.S. market. Leading our Global Gateway efforts is Edmund Pendleton, a founding instructor and faculty director of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps and I-Corps at the National Institutes of Health, the federal government’s flagship innovation commercialization programs.”
The Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program eases a foreign company’s transition into the country by connecting them with partnering incubators and accelerators in Maryland. The goal of the program is to attract early-stage companies with hopes that they will establish a full-time presence in the state after the soft landing trial ends, bringing additional job creation and investment to Maryland. Participating companies receive rent assistance for six months; training, mentoring, matchmaking, and networking opportunities; and assistance with business registration costs.
Since launching in 2023, 80 international companies have participated in the state’s soft landing program, capturing a variety of businesses from 41 countries while boosting the state’s competitiveness in the global market. There are currently 20 international companies exploring the Maryland market through the Global Gateway program.
“Impulse Biomed kicks off our new soft landing partnership with The LaunchPort in Baltimore as the accelerator’s first Global Gateway participant,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “By helping international companies test out the Maryland market, we believe we can convert more prospects into members of Maryland’s business community. We look forward to our continued work with South Africa and attracting additional companies to our state’s growing global economy.”
The Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program was recently awarded the Economic Development Program Award (Large Community category) by the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). Each year, the MEDA Awards recognize the people, programs, projects, and initiatives that drive economic development and strengthen communities throughout the state. The program was recognized for its first-in-the-nation work in connecting international companies with Maryland’s specialized partner incubators, accelerators, and innovation centers.
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
