Help Us Spotlight Local Businesses During Business Appreciation Week

Each year, the Howard County Economic Development Authority celebrates Business Appreciation Week by sending ambassadors and the County Executive to visit businesses across the county—spotlighting success, assessing needs, and connecting directly with the businesses that power our local economy.
 
We invite you to nominate a Howard County business you believe deserves recognition during Business Appreciation Week—your input helps us recognize and support a broader, more diverse range of local businesses.

From Concept to Care: MedTech Companies Pitch What’s Next

Join the us for an exhilarating pitch competition spotlighting some of the region’s most promising MedTech companies. With $15,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, this is your chance to witness innovation at its finest and support companies advancing the future of healthcare through devices, diagnostics, and digital health solutions.

Be among the first to experience the official unveiling of HoCo Health+, a new initiative connecting MedTech companies with clinical partners to validate, pilot, and accelerate real-world healthcare solutions.

Explore How Global Gateway Can Support Your U.S. Expansion.

Expanding into the U.S. market requires more than access. It requires the right environment, the right connections, and the right support from day one.

Through our Global Gateway program at the Maryland Innovation Center, international companies gain more than a foothold. They gain a pathway to scale.

In this testimonial video, international companies share how Global Gateway helps them enter the U.S. market with confidence. They tap into a collaborative ecosystem of global businesses, access critical infrastructure and talent, and leverage hands-on support to move from entry to growth faster.

We connect companies to the partners, prospects, and resources they need across marketing, sales, and product development, so they can focus on building and scaling their business in a new market.

For companies looking to establish and grow their presence in the United States, Global Gateway delivers a clear, supported path forward.

A Four-Day Experience Built for Growth-Minded CEOs

The CEO Accelerator is an intensive four-day experience designed for growth-minded business owners ready to work on their business—not just in it.

Through guided strategy sessions, hands-on exercises, and peer collaboration, participants will develop the mindset, systems, and tools needed to drive sustainable profitability, empower teams, and scale effectively.

Build with Confidence: MWBC Elements of Entrepreneurship Series

Turn your business idea into a clear path forward. Maryland Women's Business Center is hosting Elements of Entrepreneurship, a four-part webinar series designed to help founders move from ideation to launch to growth with practical, step-by-step guidance.

The series runs Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, starting April 23 with Building a Strong Business Foundation. Additional sessions include Creating Your Business Blueprint on April 30, Launch Your Business on May 7, and Business Development Strategies on May 14. Each session is $25, or register for the full four-part series for $80 and save 20%.

If you're ready to stop guessing and start building with intention, this series delivers the structure and tools to help you move forward. 

Recent Highlights: What You Need to Know

• Howard County Veterans Foundation holds monument opening on May 14th. Learn More
• The Maryland Workforce Association (MWA) is anchoring a new registered cybersecurity apprenticeship that builds on the state’s partnership with BCR Cyber. Learn More
• Institute for Women Entrepreneur Excellence Announces BRIDGE Program Cohort at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. Learn More