Cyber Momentum in Motion: Cohort II Demo Day Showcases What’s Next

Join us for the Cyber Howard Accelerator Cohort II Graduation & Demo Day on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM. This celebration highlights the progress, innovation, and momentum of our Cohort II companies, alongside alumni from Cohort I.

With close proximity to NSA, U.S. Cyber Command, and leading defense partners, Howard County offers one of the strongest environments in the country for launching and growing a cyber company.

Attendees will experience live startup demos and founder pitches followed by a networking reception connecting founders, mentors, judges, public-sector leaders, and ecosystem partners.

Where Maryland’s Fastest-Growing Startups Take the Spotlight

For angel investors and tech entrepreneurs alike, this event brings together Maryland’s innovation ecosystem for an evening of meaningful connection, insight, and visibility into the region’s fastest-growing companies.

This is a true showcase, not a competition. Selected companies will deliver concise 3–5 minute presentations highlighting their technology, traction, and growth potential, offering investors and ecosystem partners a high-level view of what’s being built across Maryland.

The program will also feature a panel discussion with a mix of angel and venture capital perspectives focused on the current fundraising landscape, including market realities, do’s and don’ts for founders, and practical recommendations for navigating today’s capital environment. This event reflects a collaborative ecosystem effort, with partners including BWTech and FITCI.

Build for Impact: Hutch 2026 Cohort Applications Now Open

Applications are officially open for the Hutch 2026 cohort, a nine-month program designed for civic tech founders building technology for government markets and ready to scale their impact.

Hutch supports entrepreneurs who are navigating the complexities of public-sector sales, transitioning from consulting to scalable products, refining product-market fit, or evolving from technical builder to strategic CEO. Founders also include companies successfully operating in commercial markets that are preparing to enter government contracting.

Participants gain access to government contracting expertise, peer founder support, and strategic mentorship from leaders who have successfully built and scaled civic technology companies. The program equips entrepreneurs with the ecosystem, resources, and relationships needed to build resilient, profitable ventures that directly address community challenges.

Turn Your Marketing into a Lead-Generating System That Converts

If you’re a founder or small business owner, chances are you’ve tried a little bit of everything when it comes to marketing—social posts, emails, ads—but you’re still not sure what’s working. That ends here.

The BRITE: Marketing Series is a 3-part workshop that helps you stop chasing trends and start building a marketing system that fits your business. You’ll learn how to define your ideal customer, attract quality leads, and turn them into paying clients—all with simple tools you can use right away.

Freetown Farm Brings Food, Learning, and Community Together

Freetown Farm, operated by the Community Ecology Institute in Columbia, is a model of regenerative agriculture, environmental education, and community connection. Through hands-on programming rooted in sustainability and inclusion, the farm empowers individuals to grow food, build skills, and care for the environment. HCEDA is proud to spotlight farms like Freetown that demonstrate the impact of community-based agriculture in Howard County.

Freetown Farm is also hosting two upcoming community events. Free Food, Fire & Friends takes place on Thursday, January 22 from 6:00–7:30 PM and features a free, family-friendly indoor meal with activities for all ages, including s’mores. Registration is required. On Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 AM–12:30 PM, the farm will host an Environmental & Sustainability Career Day for high school students interested in agriculture, sustainability, and conservation. Students can earn SSL hours, and space is limited.

Recent Highlights: What You Need to Know

• Maryland leaders unveil nearly $70.8 billion 2027 budget proposal. Learn More
  
• The Howard County Public Library System hosts their annual Evening in the Stacks celebration on February 28th. Learn More
• On Jan. 22nd the Autism Hiring Program is hosting the Different Brains Strong Teams webinar featuring Zosia Zaks, Ph.D. Learn More
• NASA Selects Johns Hopkins APL to Investigate Space Radiation Effects on the Lunar Surface. Learn More
  
• The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families is hosting a virtual job fair focused on employment opportunities in healthcare on January 28th. Learn More