How a Baltimore Native Turned Small Projects Into Citywide Impact
In Baltimore’s buzzing tech scene, Gregory Pranzo is a name quietly shaping the future. He doesn’t chase headlines or awards. He focuses on solving real problems—one data dashboard, one smart sensor, one nonprofit at a time.
“I didn’t set out to be a founder,” says Pranzo. “I just wanted to help people use tech better.”
That mission has taken him from a college student fascinated by systems to the CEO of PranzoTech Solutions, a company helping small businesses, nonprofits, and city departments embrace digital tools. His work blends tech innovation with a commitment to community growth.
This is the story of how it all happened.
Learning to Fix What’s Broken
Pranzo grew up in Maryland and studied Information Systems at Towson University. He was drawn to computers early on, not just for what they could do—but for how they could make life easier.
“In school, I realized tech could help people solve all kinds of everyday problems,” he recalls. “That really stuck with me.”
After college, he entered IT consulting. He wasn’t coding the next big app. He was working face-to-face with nonprofits and local governments, showing them how to digitize outdated processes.
He saw the gap. Small teams often lacked the tools, time, or budget to modernize. But the need was huge.
“You’d be surprised how many places were still using spreadsheets for everything,” he says. “They didn’t need a full enterprise system. They needed something that worked—and fast.”
Founding PranzoTech: Making Tech Accessible
By 2018, Pranzo took the leap. He launched PranzoTech Solutions, LLC, building digital tools that were simple, scalable, and affordable.
“I wanted to create a company that didn’t just build software,” Pranzo explains. “I wanted to solve problems in a way that made sense for each client.”
One of his early wins? Helping a local nonprofit switch from paper records to a cloud-based dashboard for tracking services and donations.
“It wasn’t fancy,” he says. “But it saved them hours every week—and that meant more time helping people.”
That approach—practical, not flashy—became the company’s style.
Today, PranzoTech helps with automation, cybersecurity, and smart infrastructure projects across Baltimore. The team works with city planners, small businesses, and community groups alike.
Leading Smart City Innovation in Baltimore
Pranzo doesn’t just work in tech. He’s part of Baltimore’s push toward smart city innovation.
One project involved consulting on sensor-based street lighting that adapts to real-time conditions. Another focused on using public data to improve transit access in underserved neighborhoods.
“These are not Silicon Valley-style moonshots,” he says. “They’re real tools that improve everyday life.”
He also helped launch a citywide digital skills accelerator in 2024. It trained over 300 residents in basic tech literacy—many of them first-time computer users.
“That’s the kind of work that excites me most,” says Pranzo. “Giving people access to digital tools opens doors. It changes futures.”
Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses With Tech
Another core focus? Helping minority-owned businesses compete in the digital economy.
Baltimore is full of entrepreneurs with grit and vision, but many don’t have access to the same tools or training as larger firms.
PranzoTech steps in with custom solutions—like automated inventory systems or CRM tools—that are easy to use and maintain.
“A lot of tech is built with big corporations in mind,” Pranzo says. “I wanted to flip that and build for the little guy.”
That work earned him recognition from the Maryland Tech Council in 2023.
Community First: Code B’More and Civic Tech
Outside his company, Pranzo is deeply involved in civic tech and digital equity efforts.
He serves on the advisory board of Code B’More, a nonprofit teaching Baltimore youth to code and build robotics projects.
“I remember being that kid who was curious but didn’t have access,” he says. “So I try to be the person I needed back then.”
He’s also a frequent guest on community panels and podcasts. In 2024, he appeared on Future Baltimore: Tech, Equity, and Community to discuss how cities can use AI and data ethically.
“Tech should close gaps—not widen them,” he said on the show.
A Quiet Builder With Big Impact
Gregory Pranzo may avoid the spotlight, but his work speaks loudly in the city he calls home.
He’s not chasing viral apps or investor attention. He’s building smart systems that help Baltimore run better—one project at a time.
His message is clear: real innovation starts local.
“When you focus on the people and the problems in front of you, you make a difference,” Pranzo says. “And over time, those small wins add up.”
Read more:
Gregory Pranzo: From Local Consultant to Smart Tech Leader
