Gregory Pranzo, Baltimore-based entrepreneur and founder of PranzoTech Solutions, LLC, is calling on residents, educators, and small businesses to take part in building a more digitally inclusive Baltimore. Through his work in community technology and smart city innovation, Pranzo has seen firsthand how access—or lack of it—can define a person’s opportunities.

“Technology can be a great equalizer,” Pranzo said, “but only if everyone gets a chance to use it. We can’t keep talking about innovation if half the city can’t log on.”

Pranzo’s message comes as digital inequity remains one of Baltimore’s biggest barriers to progress. According to the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, an estimated 96,000 households in the city still lack reliable broadband access or a working device at home. Nationally, studies show that 22% of low-income Americans rely solely on smartphones for internet access—limiting their ability to apply for jobs, attend virtual classes, or access healthcare.

As part of his broader advocacy, Pranzo is encouraging everyday Baltimoreans—not just policymakers or tech professionals—to play a role. “You don’t need to be a coder or engineer to make an impact,” he said. “You can volunteer to teach digital skills at a community center, donate an old laptop, or help an older neighbor set up Wi-Fi. The small things matter.”

Pranzo’s company, PranzoTech Solutions, has worked with local governments and nonprofits to modernize community operations—from building cloud dashboards for public health groups to designing tools that help city planners use data more effectively. But for Pranzo, the real challenge isn’t technological—it’s cultural.

“There’s still fear and mistrust around technology,” he explained. “A lot of people think it’s too late to learn, or that they’ll break something. We need to make digital learning as normal as financial literacy or driver’s ed.”

He points to the Digital Bridge program, a citywide skills accelerator he helped launch in 2024 that trained more than 300 Baltimore residents in cybersecurity, data literacy, and software basics. “Watching someone in their fifties or sixties build confidence online—that’s success you can’t quantify,” he said.

Pranzo’s focus on inclusion extends beyond classrooms. Through his volunteer work with Code B’More and NPower Maryland, he mentors young people from underrepresented backgrounds who want to enter the tech field. “Baltimore has no shortage of talent,” he said. “It’s opportunity that’s unevenly distributed. If we level the playing field, the talent takes care of itself.”

He also believes businesses have a responsibility to contribute. “Every company in this city uses technology in some way,” Pranzo said. “If each business sponsored one student for a coding course, or hosted one community workshop a year, the ripple effect would be massive.”

For Pranzo, success isn’t measured in profit but in participation. “The future of this city depends on inclusion—who benefits, who participates, who’s empowered,” he said. “If technology only works for a few, it’s not innovation—it’s isolation.”

His call to action is simple: get involved. “Start local,” he said. “If you run a business, offer your space for a free digital training night. If you’re a student, volunteer to teach a neighbor how to use a computer. If you’re an employer, hire based on potential, not just credentials. Every small action adds up.”

Pranzo’s message echoes a broader national push toward digital equity, a movement to ensure all individuals have the technology, skills, and access needed to thrive in the modern economy. But for him, it’s deeply personal. “I grew up in a house where curiosity was everything,” he said. “My dad was an electrician; my mom was a teacher. They taught me that fixing something broken starts at home. That’s how I see Baltimore—full of things worth fixing, full of people who can fix them.”

Residents and businesses interested in supporting Baltimore’s digital future can:

• Volunteer with local organizations like Code B’More or NPower Maryland

• Donate used computers and devices through community drives

• Offer free digital skills workshops or mentorship opportunities

• Advocate for broadband expansion and technology education funding

“Don’t chase the finish line,” Pranzo said. “Build the road. If we each build a piece of it, we’ll all get further—together.”

About Gregory Pranzo

Gregory Pranzo is a Baltimore-born tech entrepreneur, educator, and founder of PranzoTech Solutions, LLC. His company helps small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments modernize operations through automation and smart technology. A strong advocate for digital inclusion, Pranzo serves on the advisory board of Code B’More and collaborates with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition. He was recognized by the Maryland Tech Council for his contributions to inclusive innovation.

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