Message from the CEO

Unveiling The Accelerator: A Hub for Howard County Business Growth

The Accelerator is set to host a series of upcoming programming events aimed at benefiting the local community. These events span a wide range of topics and aim to provide valuable insights and resources to entrepreneurs and business owners.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball noted, "This new space within HCEDA will provide our local businesses with the necessary resources to thrive."

Read our newest blog to learn more about the upcoming events, the space and the featured artists. Join us as we continue to support entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth in Howard County through The Accelerator!

Spotlighting our Creative Entrepreneurs

We will be featuring each of the artists in our Accelerator space. Meet Lusmerlin, a multidisciplinary artist and chemical engineer originally hailing from the Dominican Republic. Now in Columbia she unveils her artistic prowess, weaving together themes of womanhood, immigration and daily life.

Her preferred medium, pastel, becomes a conduit for her storytelling, infused with the vibrancy of Caribbean hues and the raw authenticity of her experiences. Drawing inspiration from her roots, she infuses her work with a sense of identity that transcends borders, celebrating the richness of diversity and the beauty of cultural amalgamation.

Check out our upcoming events in The Accelerator, where learning and creative inspiration meld seamlessly.

TEDCO Set to Receive $50 Million Through the SSBCI

TEDCO is set to receive up to $50 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), allocating funds across four existing programs tailored for technology-based Maryland businesses and entrepreneurs. Among these programs, the Venture Equity Fund, Venture Capital Limited Partnership Equity program and Seed Funds Equity program are geared towards venture capital and startup funding. Additionally, the Social Impact Funds offer investment and support to entrepreneurs facing economic or social disadvantage. 

Through these initiatives, TEDCO will further harness its partnerships with leading technology firms, entrepreneurs and investors in the state. Collaborating with universities, regional business accelerators, incubators and other organizations, TEDCO remains committed to fostering innovation and economic growth across Maryland.

SBA is Your Roadmap to Business Growth

The Small Business Administration (SBA) uplifts small businesses all year round with their programing and guides. They provided economic assistance to Mid-Atlantic small business affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. This National Small Business week we are featuring their tailored resources and support for small businesses, to encourage business growth at any stage:

1. Access to Capital: Unlock funding with SBA's diverse loan programs.
2. Government Contracts: Navigate procurement processes and secure contracts.
3. Global Markets: Expand internationally with export assistance.
4. Innovation Support: Access funding for R&D through SBIR and STTR programs.
5. Network Building: Connect with mentors and resources through SBDCs, WBCs, and SCORE.

The SBA offers specific resources for woman-owned, Native American-owned, veteran owned, LGBTQ+- owned and minority-owned businesses, along with businesses in rural communities. Don't miss out on valuable resources that are here to help locally and nationally. 

Unlock Funding Success: Grant Writing & Budgeting Series

Proposal Writing & Budgeting Series

Grants are one of the primary sources of funding for nonprofits yet many grant makers say a significant amount of the grant proposals they receive do not provide them with the information they need in a clear and concise manner. Budgets are also one of the first things funders look at when reviewing proposals, yet some don’t reflect the proposed scope of work.

In this interactive two-part series, you will learn the best practices and common mistakes in writing compelling proposals and discover what funders are really looking for in grant proposals and budgets. You will have an opportunity to draft essential parts of a proposal and receive feedback from class participants during the proposal workshop.

Part 1 – Writing Powerful Proposals, Tuesday, May 14

Part 2 – Preparing Proposal Budgets that Make Sense, Tuesday, June 4

Registration is free as part of the launch of HoCo Excel!