“Pitch Across Maryland” to Celebrate Maryland Startups, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

“Pitch Across Maryland” to Celebrate Maryland Startups, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Tour to Roll Through State in September

Everywhere, Md. (UPDATED September 18, 2012) – Free State startups (and those who love them) are invited to Pitch Across Maryland, a state-wide bus startup tour and business pitch competition, organized by Startup Maryland, September 11 – 28, 2012.

The Pitch Across Maryland bus tour will visit incubators, economic development agencies and universities, holding rallies celebrating entrepreneurship and sharing information about the incredible entrepreneurial resources across the state and broader region.

“The Pitch Across Maryland Tour is an extension of the Entrepreneur Town Hall meetings we’ve recently held,” added Mike Binko, co-chair of Startup Maryland. “Entrepreneurs across the state have told us that they want Startup Maryland to create stronger connections between communities. Our goal for the tour is bring together entrepreneurs from across the state, introduce them to mentors, find critical resources, and provide them with the guidance they need to be successful.”

Entrepreneurs attending a Pitch Across Maryland rally will have the chance to record their pitches in the bus’s on-board video studio and enter them in a pitch contest, where 8 finalists will strut their startup stuff in front of judges and compete for prizes at an upcoming Startup Maryland/TEDCO event – the Entrepreneur Expo – on November 13.

"Ranked by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce #1 in the nation for entrepreneurship and innovation, Maryland is leveraging its many assets - from it's #1 ranked public school system to its highly skilled workforce, to innovative programs like InvestMaryland - to create jobs and support business growth," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "With partners like Startup Maryland and their 'Pitch Across Maryland Tour' we will continue to strengthen Maryland's economic and entrepreneurial connections to build an economic climate where the most promising companies have a chance to grow and thrive."

Additionally, Startups will receive coaching and support from business mentors and other leaders of Maryland’s innovation economy, including angel & VC investors, legal teams, marketing & PR firms and successful entrepreneurs who will share wisdom and war stories of startup success.

The tour will conclude September 28 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland with a celebration of entrepreneurship featuring inspiring speakers, networking activities and startup strategizing.

Tour Schedule

September 11

Kick off in Howard County, First Tour Stop Ocean City

 September 12
Eastern Shore Day One

UMES, Kiah Hall, 9 – 10:30 am;
Salisbury U, Caruthers Parking Lot, 12 – 1 pm;
Cambridge, City Hall, 3 – 4:30 pm

September 13
Eastern Shore Day Two

Easton, Talbott Comm College, 9 – 10:30 am;
Washington College, Fountain Park (Chestertown), 12 – 1:30 pm;
Chesapeake College, Rt 50 and Lot D, 3 – 4:30 pm

September 14
Annapolis

State Capitol, 9:00 am – noon

 September 17

TOUR BREAK

September 18
Southern Maryland

College of So MD campuses in:La Plata, Lot #2, 10:00 am – noon;
Leonardtown, Parking lot, 1:00 – 3:00 pm;
Prince Frederick, Northeastern Parking Lot, 4:00 – 6:00 pm

September 19
Harford, Baltimore County

Harford Comm Coll HEAT Center (Aberdeen), 10 am – noon;
UMBC, 5520 Research Park, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

September 20
Baltimore Day One

University of Baltimore, Merrick School of Business, 10:30 – 12:30 pm

September 21
Baltimore Day Two

Federal Hill, Mother’s Pub, 5:00 – 8:00 pm;
Hosted by ETC, Betamore and EAGB

September 24
Prince George’s, Bethesda

National Harbor, McLoon’s Pier House, 9 – 11:00 am; Bethesda Green (downtown Bethesda), 4825 Cordell St, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

September 25
Montgomery County, Frederick

William E Hanna, Jr. Innovation Center at Shady Grove, 9:30 – 11:30 am;
Frederick Innovation Technology Center, 1:00 – 2:45 pm; Frederick Chamber Event and Happy Hour, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

September 26

TOUR BREAK

September 27 Western Maryland

Garrett Information Enterprise Center at Garrett College, 8:30 – 10:30 am; Hagerstown, 1 – 2:30 pm

September 28
Montgomery County, Howard County

Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference, N. Bethesda Marriott and Conf Center, 9:00 – 11:30 am; 
Merriweather Post Pavilion — Last Stop Celebration

 

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About Startup Maryland
Startup Maryland (http://startupmaryland.org) is a regional initiative launched out of the Startup America Partnership (www.S.co). It is a state-wide initiative FOR entrepreneurs BY entrepreneurs to bring entrepreneurial resources together, increase access to resources / capital / deal flow and boost awareness, while also bringing together entrepreneurs in a community of support to drive greater economic outcomes.

Media Contact
Daniel Waldman
443-326-3444
daniel@simplyevolve.com