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.
About Startup Maryland:
Startup Maryland is a regional initiative launched out of the Startup
America Partnership. 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.