Session will feature venture capitalists from Collide Capital, Fenway Summer and RareBreed Ventures, moderated by TEDCO’s Tami Yoloye
COLUMBIA, Md., (August 18, 2026) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announces the “What Investors Aren’t Telling You” session at the upcoming 2026 Entrepreneur Expo taking place at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor on October 27, 2026.
The session will bring together Andrew Peng, principal at Collide Capital; Casey Williams, partner at Fenway Summer; and Mac Conwell, founder and managing partner of RareBreed Ventures, for a candid conversation moderated by Tami Yoloye, investment analyst at TEDCO.
Raising venture capital is challenging, and while many founders are familiar with the common advice, the nuances that often determine whether an investor says “yes” or “not yet” are rarely discussed openly. The panel will take up what investors aren’t always saying out loud — from the subtle signals that build confidence to the overlooked missteps that can quietly derail a fundraising process.
“Founders hear a lot of general advice about fundraising, but far less about the quiet judgments that get made in the room after the pitch,” said Yoloye. “This panel brings together investors willing to speak plainly about that, which is exactly the kind of insight that helps a founder walk into the next meeting better prepared.”
Drawing on real-world examples, the discussion will explore what moves a company toward its next term sheet, what sets founders back, and what genuinely stands out during diligence and investor meetings — offering an honest look at how investors evaluate opportunities beyond the pitch deck.
The conversation comes as the national venture capital market hits record highs even as opportunity narrows for many founders. U.S. startups raised more than $400 billion in the first half of 2026 alone, already surpassing all of 2025, according to the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. Yet that capital is highly concentrated: megadeals of $100 million or more captured 87.5% of the funding deployed in the first half of the year, AI companies accounted for 86% of all venture dollars, and just three firms took in nearly half of all capital raised. In 2025, fully half of all U.S. deal value went to a mere 0.05% of completed deals. For founders outside that narrow band, understanding exactly what investors are weighing behind closed doors has never mattered more.
Collide Capital is among the venture capital firms collaborating with TEDCO through the Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) Equity Program, one of four programs supported by Maryland’s allocation under the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative.
The panel arrives at a strong moment for Maryland's investment landscape. Last year, Maryland small businesses brought in $139.8 million through the highly competitive federal SBIR program — non-dilutive capital that helps founders extend their runway before they ever reach a term sheet. That pipeline is backed by a fast-growing talent base: Maryland's tech workforce grew 8.42% between 2021 and 2022, the highest growth rate of any state in the country. Investors comparing markets will also find the economics compelling, with building a company in Baltimore costing roughly 60% less than in San Francisco and 44% less than in New York City. Maryland has also been recognized for the strength of its inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, with Lendio ranking the state among the best in the nation for minority entrepreneurs, citing its low minority unemployment rate and high share of Black- and minority-owned businesses.
TEDCO's award-winning Entrepreneur Expo shines a spotlight on regional entrepreneurship. Attracting more than 1,170 attendees, the event collects some of the region's top entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, venture capital investors, legislators and resources for a day of celebration. This year, the event will take place in Baltimore, offering a full day of interactive workshops, insightful discussions and inspiring connections in one of the 20 best cities for entrepreneurs.
Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the region's top experts, including keynote guests Anirban Basu, Tamla Olivier and TEDCO's very own Troy LeMaile-Stovall; secure your spot at this impactful event now at tedcomdexpo.com/event/2026/register.