MARYLAND STARTUP ACCELERATOR™
Are you a Maryland-based innovation and tech-focused startup or an early-stage founder or co-founder with a burning desire to take your venture to the next level and become investment-ready?
Brace yourself for an extraordinary opportunity as bwtech@UMBC, StartUp Grind Maryland, and FounderTrac™ proudly unveil Maryland StartUp Accelerator, a cohort-based intensive, 12-week Accelerator program, designed to take you from where you are and prepare you for investment.
What is the Maryland StartUp Accelerator?
The Maryland StartUp Accelerator is a co-hort-based program that has been created for Maryland entrepreneurs by Maryland entrepreneurs, using Maryland-created technology. It isn't just an accelerator program; it's a catalyst for your startup's rise.
The cohort will consist of ten (10) Maryland-based companies and founders who are members of the Startup Grind Maryland and/or bwtech communities that meet the selection criteria.
If you are interested in applying but not part of either community, please register at the Startup Grind Maryland website and click join. This will enable you to apply for the Accelerator.
The Accelerator is based on a detailed understanding of the five key aspects of growth: leadership, marketing, sales, operations, and finance. These pillars are what will drive revenue and profitability. During each session, facilitators and the peer team will guide, challenge, and help uncover specific paths to grow your business and become investment-ready.
Why the Maryland StartUp Accelerator?
We believe there are not enough opportunities for high-potential Maryland-based companies to participate and get the benefit of an Accelerator program. Our mission is to help fill that gap and provide the level of help and support our startups need and deserve.
Who is bwtech@UMBC?
Harnessing the resources, research, and expertise of UMBC, bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park enables companies to start, grow, and stay in Maryland. bwtech@UMBC offers Cyber, GovTech, and BioTech Incubators to promote the progress of companies at all stages of development. In addition to receiving the space they need to grow their companies, members also benefit from the guidance of Entrepreneurs in Residence who can help them transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses. And, UMBC students assisting at bwtech provide additional human power for projects while gaining valuable on-the-ground experience.
Who is Startup Grind Maryland?
Startup Grind Maryland is a state-wide community whose mission is to educate, inspire, and connect our community members with the resources they need to go as far as in their entrepreneurial journey as possible.
Startup Grind Maryland is part of the Startup Grind Global Community, the largest independent global community of innovators, creators, technologists, startups, high-growth companies, investors, and educators with 5+ million community members in 650 chapters and 140 countries.
Who is FounderTrac?
FounderTrac is a Maryland-based company and technology platform designed to accelerate and derisk the company-building process and deliver significantly more innovation to the world.
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Join us to experience a transformation that goes beyond the ordinary. As a participant, you're not merely signing up for a program; you're embarking on a journey that will provide:
Investment Readiness: Acquire the expertise, insights, and connections necessary to make your venture irresistible to potential investors.
Education, Guidance, and Introductions: 12 weeks of intensive education, inspiration, and personalized introductions to resources, mentors, advisors, and investors critical to the success of your startup, ensuring you have the right support at every turn.
Gala Pitch Competition: Showcase your startup to a discerning audience, and open doors to potential investors, mentors, advisors, and financiers who can elevate your business to new heights.
Post Accelerator Events: including Startup Grind Marylands founders' forums, events, get-togethers, happy hours, etc.
Membership in the Startup Grind Global Community: Embrace the opportunity to be a lifelong member of the largest global community of innovators, technologists, and creatives, startups from concept to exit. It is truly a global community unlocking collaboration and growth opportunities on a global scale.
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The program starts Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, and concludes June 4th, 2024. All sessions will be virtual so you will not have to travel. There will be 6 formal sessions, one every two weeks. The formal sessions will start at 4:00 pm and finish around 6:00 pm. The off weeks will require you to work on assignments and meet with their mentors.
The program ends with a gala pitch event where you get to present your pitch to a large audience of investors and influencers including curated introductions and matchmaking.
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Selection Criteria.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Friday, February 16th, 2024
Must be a Maryland-based founder, CEO, and company.
Have a highly scalable business model.
The product/service uniquely solves a significant problem for a large addressable market.
Founders are accomplished people who thrive in a high-performance environment and looking to dramatically accelerate their operational performance and growth including the possibility of considering outside investment.
Has some traction but less than $500,000 ARR.
Have not participated in another accelerator program.
Must commit to actively participate in all cohort sessions and activities.
There is no fee or equity required to participate in the pilot cohort
This cohort is open only to members of the UMBC-bwtech@UMBC and/or Startup Grind Maryland communities.
If you are interested in applying but not part of either community, please register at the Startup Grind Maryland website and click join. This will enable you to apply for the Accelerator.