Maryland-based company creates event planning platform
COLUMBIA, Md., (April 15, 2026) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $500,000 Venture Funds investment in greatEvent.
“After noticing a gap in the current hospitality space, I decided to create a solution that could offer a more cost-effective and efficient process for event planning,” said Dipak Thakker, CEO and founder of greatEvent. “Thanks to this investment from TEDCO, we can continue to grow.”
“Event planning has been held back for too long by slow, fragmented processes. We built greatEvent to introduce real‑time booking to the industry and give planners instant access to available spaces,” said Dipak Thakker, CEO and founder of greatEvent. “Thanks to this investment from TEDCO, it accelerates our ability to scale this vision across Maryland and beyond.”
greatEvent, located in Rockville, Md., has developed a Real‑Time Booking (RTB) platform for events, intending to give customers instant access to live venue availability and the ability to book spaces in minutes. The patented platform was also designed to let planners see meeting and event spaces in real time, hopefully eliminating the guesswork and delays of traditional sales‑and‑catering systems.
“As technology evolves, entrepreneurial spirits are presenting more and more solutions to everyday problems, helping to give people back time and allow for more efficiency across the board,” said Katherine Hill Ritchie, senior director, Venture Funds. “Innovative solutions like the platform from greatEvent are designed to drive economic growth across Maryland and TEDCO is dedicated to empowering this continued advancement.”
TEDCO’s Venture Funds are one of the many investment opportunities TEDCO can provide to qualifying technology-based startups and small businesses throughout Maryland. For more information about eligibility, other resources and programs, or our investment funds, visit tedcomd.com.
“Ranked the second most educated state in the nation, growing a company in Maryland allows business leaders to connect with an educated and talented workforce,” said TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “With Maryland as your business's home, you'll have access to a wealth of resources and opportunities that can drive your success."