From Startup to Spotlight: Celebrating Cyber Howard Accelerator Cohort 3

We celebrated seven innovative cybersecurity companies as they completed the Cyber Howard Accelerator with a graduation ceremony, networking luncheon and Demo Day Pitch Competition.

Congratulations to our Demo Day winners:

🥇 Cipher – 1st Place ($3,000)

🥈 Vigil Vector – 2nd Place ($2,000)

🥉 Artemion LLC – 3rd Place ($1,000)

A special thank you to our mentors, judges, investors and ecosystem partners whose guidance and support helped make this year's program a success. Together, we're helping cybersecurity startups transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses while strengthening Howard County's position as a leader in cybersecurity innovation.

Think your company could be next? Applications are now open for Cyber Howard Accelerator Cohort 4 through September 1, with the next cohort beginning September 15.

Pitch Your Startup. Win Funding. Grow Your Business.

Do you have an early-stage business with momentum? The Maryland Innovation Center's Pumpkin Pitch is your opportunity to showcase your company, gain valuable exposure, and compete for more than $11,000 in prize funding.

Five finalists will take the stage to pitch their businesses before a live audience of entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and expert judges. Along the way, participants will receive pitch coaching, strengthen their presentation skills, and build meaningful connections within Howard County's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The competition will award $5,000 for First Place, $3,000 for Second Place, $2,000 for Third Place, and a $1,000 Crowd Favorite Award, voted on by event attendees.

Applications close Friday, August 21, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Don't miss your chance to pitch your business, connect with the startup community, and compete for funding to fuel your next stage of growth.

Celebrate Business Appreciation Week 2026:

Schedule Your Ambassador Visit

Howard County businesses are invited to participate in Business Appreciation Week 2026, an annual initiative celebrating the companies that drive our local economy and make Howard County a great place to do business.

Throughout the week, Ambassador teams made up of Howard County department heads, elected officials, community partners, and Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) staff will visit local businesses to learn more about their successes, opportunities, and the challenges they face.

Each participating business will receive:

• A personal visit from a Howard County Ambassador team
• A Certificate of Appreciation
• Photos featured on the HCEDA Flickr account and/or social media

These conversations help us better understand the needs of our business community while identifying ways to strengthen Howard County's business climate. Your feedback plays an important role in shaping future programs, resources, and initiatives that support local businesses.

Space is limited and registration closes Monday, August 31. Reserve your visit today and help us celebrate the businesses that make Howard County thrive.

Helping Howard County Businesses Grow with the LIFT Microloan Fund

Every growing business reaches a point where access to capital can make all the difference. Whether you're purchasing equipment, expanding operations, increasing inventory, or improving cash flow, the right financing can help move your business forward.

The Howard County LIFT Microloan Fund provides eligible small businesses with loans ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to support growth and long-term success. Beyond financing, the program also connects business owners with valuable resources and guidance to help them navigate the next stage of their journey.

Interested in learning more? Explore eligibility requirements and apply today:

Want to hear directly from local entrepreneurs? Watch Howard County business owners share how the LIFT Microloan Fund helped them grow and invest in their future:

Build Smarter: Turn Your Idea Into an MVP That People Actually Want

A 2 hour hybrid session on planning, designing, and building a startup app the right way.

Most founders build the wrong thing first — burning months and money on features nobody asked for. In this hybrid session, MOS Creative CEO Max Kryzhanovskiy breaks down how to plan, design, and build an MVP that actually tests your idea. You'll leave with a clear framework for your next build, plus a look at the AI-assisted workflows speeding up development right now.

Launch Smarter with HoCo Higher Fast Track

Every successful business starts with an idea, but turning that idea into a sustainable, revenue-generating company takes more than ambition. HoCo Higher Fast Track is a 10-week program designed to help early-stage founders build the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to grow.

Created for entrepreneurs earning $0 to $150,000 in annual revenue, the program combines expert-led instruction with hands-on learning in marketing, sales, finance, legal, tax, funding, customer discovery, and more. Each week, participants will gain practical tools and frameworks they can immediately apply to their business while connecting with a community of fellow founders.

By the end of the program, participants will have a stronger business foundation, actionable growth strategies, access to local business resources, and the opportunity to pitch their business during the graduation showcase.

Register early and save! Very Early Bird registration is $35 through August 1, offering a $30 savings off the regular admission price.

Women Growing the Future of Agriculture

Join us for an inspiring Women in Agriculture event featuring Roxanna Segovia-Beltran, owner of Gandyn Doulah Permaculture Garden Design & Consulting.

Whether you're a farmer, grower, agricultural entrepreneur, educator, or simply passionate about sustainable agriculture, this event offers an opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired by women making a difference in agriculture and their communities.

Step Inside Howard County's Food Processing Industry

Food Processor Connect is an opportunity for food processing professionals to tour Pastry Star's new facility while connecting with fellow industry leaders. Enjoy an afternoon of networking, sharing ideas, and learning from peers as you explore the facility and discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the food processing industry.

Howard County Farm Feature:

Mary's Land Is Where Community Takes Root

Nestled on 160 acres in Ellicott City, Mary's Land Farm is more than a working farm. It's a place where sustainable agriculture, education and community come together. Guided by regenerative farming practices that go beyond organic principles, the farm is dedicated to producing nourishing food while caring for the land for generations to come.

Visitors can shop for 100% grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, chicken, lamb, fresh eggs, seasonal produce, artisan foods and locally made products at the Farm Store, open seven days a week. Beyond fresh food, Mary's Land Farm offers cooking classes, workshops, field trips, summer camps and seasonal festivals that help visitors of all ages connect with agriculture and learn where their food comes from.

Recent Highlights: What You Need to Know

• Leadership Howard County names Brendan Mahoney board chair. Learn More
  
• AWS Federal AI Symposium 2026 registration is now open. Learn More
• HCEDA is launching its 2026 CyberChallenge program and invites you to participate in a way that could be of benefit to your organization. Learn More
• Howard County Government Seeks Applicants for Newly Formed Data Center Task Force. Learn More
• New Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) resources available. Learn More
• Howard County Executive Ball Urgently Seeks Professional and Public Members for County Electrical and Plumbing Boards. Learn More