This registration page may not work well in Internet Explorer. Please use a different browser to complete your registration.

Start Up Zone Connect and Pitch

June 3, 2026 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (EDT)

Description

Join us for Start Up Zone Connect and Pitch, a high-energy morning designed to spotlight emerging companies, spark meaningful connections, and celebrate innovation in Maryland’s tech and life sciences ecosystem. Entrepreneurs will take the stage for a fast-paced 1-Minute Lightning Round before engaging with attendees, judges, and industry leaders during an interactive networking and exhibit showcase. The program will feature insights from keynote speaker George Davis on building mission-driven companies that create meaningful impact. The event will conclude with the announcement of two winning companies, including an Audience Choice award, with two $5,000 cash prizes sponsored by PIC MC and complimentary one-year memberships to Maryland Tech Council

  • Breakfast Networking & Startup Exhibits
  • Opening Welcome
  • Keynote Speaker - "Building What Matters" - Mission-driven entrepreneurship and meaningful innovation.  - George Davis, Managing Director, Wexford Ventures
  • 1-Minute Lightning Round (12 Companies)
  • Networking + Exhibit Showcase + Judge/Attendee Engagement
  • Judges Deliberation
  • Winners Announced (2) including Audience Choice!
    • Two $5,000 cash prizes sponsored by PIC MC.
    • Complimentary one year membership to MTC

The Start-Ups:

  • AllSci
  • BenchLab
  • Caleo
  • Lugenica
  • Upling
  • WhisperSom Medical Technologies
  • Camo Text
  • Cursive
  • Esurgi
  • Experio
  • OptimaFlo
  • Rizkly


Judges:

Brandon Canaday (Maryland Department of Commerce), Mike Buher (Citrin Cooperman), Laurie Boyer Babb (MCEDC), Caroline Popper (Popper and Company), Julie Wilkinson (Sherpani / VentureWell), Brian McNally (USP), Prashant Panchal (AstraZeneca), and Paul Thompson (Montgomery College).

Sponsorship opportunities are available!  

Networking Breakfast Sponsor — $3,000 (Exclusive)

  • Complimentary registrations — 4
  • Logo on breakfast table signage 
  • Verbal remarks during breakfast welcome 
  • Logo on registration page and all marketing promotions
  • Attendee list (opt-in), without emails
  • Opportunity to provide hand-out to start up companies
  • Opportunity to display tabletop materials (not full exhibit)

Start Up Judge Sponsor - $2,500 (4 available)

  • Complimentary registrations - 4
  • Logo on registration page and marketing promotions
  • Verbal recognition during welcome
  • Attendee list (opt-in), without emails
  • Opportunity to have one representative serve as Judge.
  • Opportunity to display tabletop materials (not full exhibit)

Start-Up Supporting Sponsor — $1,500

  • Complimentary registrations — 3
  • Logo on signage
  • Logo on registration page and marketing promotions
  • Verbal recognition during welcome
  • Attendee List (opt-in) without emails
  • Opportunity to display tabletop materials (not full exhibit)

Start Up Friend Sponsor - $750

  • Complimentary registrations — 2
  • Logo on signage
  • Logo on registration page and marketing promotions
  • Verbal recognition during welcome
  • Attendee List (opt-in) without emails


Title Sponsor


Presenting Sponsor


Start-Up Judge Sponsor:



Location

Bioscience Education Conference Center - Room BE 151

Montgomery College

Germantown, MD 20876

Pricing

MTC Member:  $35

Non-Member:  $50

Investors:  Complimentary Registration. Contact Amy at amyspeck@mdtechcouncil.com for a promo code

View Event

Contact Information

Name: Amy Speck
Phone: (240) 831-4829
Email: amy@mdtechcouncil.com
We're sorry. No registrations are currently available. You may wish to contact the event organizer for assistance.
{{ vm.EventInfo.ErrorMessage }}

Select Registration Options

Edit
{{vm.regWarningMessage}}
{{vm.regAlertMessage}}

Exhibitor Opportunities

Name Price Att Qty
{{ et.Name }}
{{ et.IncludedAttendeesCount }} {{ et.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType }} Remaining {{ et.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} on Waiting List {{ et.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} Over Limit
{{ et.Remaining }} Remaining
 Sold out

Attendee Registration Options Total Remaining: {{ vm.EventInfo.VacantSpotsPerEvent }}

Waiting List Available
{{ vm.stats.totalAttendeesCount }} Registered , {{ vm.OverallOverAmount() }} on Waiting List , {{ vm.OverallOverAmount() }} Over Limit
Name Price Qty
{{ rt.Name }}
{{ rt.IsMemberOnly ? ' (Members Only)' : '' }}
Limit: {{ rt.LimitPerPurchase }}
Included Attendees: {{ rt.AttendeesCountPerOneRegistration }}
{{rt.Price | currency }} {{rt.PriceAfterDiscount | currency }} {{ rt.Price | currency }}
{{ rt.RemainingPerType }} Remaining
{{ rt.RemainingPerType * -1 }} on Waiting List
{{ rt.RemainingPerType * -1 }} Over Limit

{{'[[Sponsorship]] Opportunities' | localizeString:'['}}

Name Price Att Qty
{{ st.Name }}
{{ st.IncludedAttendeesCount }} {{ st.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType }} Remaining {{ st.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} on Waiting List {{ st.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} Over Limit
{{ st.Remaining }} Remaining
 Sold out
Continue

Registration Information

Edit

Exhibitor - {{er.Name}}

Exhibitor #{{ $index + 1 }}

Total: {{exhibitor.TotalPrice | currency}} {{ exhibitor.IsBenefit ? "- Included as a Benefit" : exhibitor.IsDiscounted ? "- Discounts have been applied" : ""}}
Exhibitor Directory
Primary Contact
Booth Information
Additional Information
Additional Items

Attendee - {{er.Name}}

{{ att.getAttendeeTerm(vm.EventSettings.AdditionalAttendeesTerm, $index) }} #{{ att.getAttendeeIndexDisplay(vm.EventSettings.AdditionalAttendeesTerm, $index) }}

Total: {{att.TotalPrice | currency}} {{att.DiscountMessage | localizeString:'['}}
A No Show fee is being assessed for {{fee.EventName}} on {{fee.EventStartLocalTimeString}}.
More Information Less information

Address

Phone

Additional Information
Event Sessions

{{slot.Name}}

{{$select.selected.SessionName}}
(full)
{{slot.SelectedSession.SessionDescription + (slot.HasFees ? " (Price: " + (slot.PriceTotal | currency) +")" : "")}}
Additional Items

{{'[[Sponsorship+]]' | localizeString:'['}} - {{er.Name}}

{{'[[Sponsor]]' | localizeString:'['}} #{{ $index + 1 }}

Total: {{sponsor.Price | currency}}
Continue

Additional Items

Edit

{{(vm.EventInfo.Terms.Donation || "Fundraising") + " Opportunities"}}

Campaign Name Item Description Amount
{{item.CampaignName}} {{item.Description + (item.ShowMinimumPrice && item.MinimumPrice ? " (Min: " + item.MinimumPrice + ")" : "")}}
Continue

Complete Registration

Edit

Terms & Conditions

No Show Policy

{{ vm.EventInfo.EventSettings.NoShowPolicy }}

Enter Promo Code

Billing Contact

Registration Protection
This event is synced to a webinar so no confirmation email will be sent from GrowthZone.

Thank you to our {{'[[Sponsor+]]' | localizeString:'['}}