Startup Maryland today announced that UNDER ARMOUR has agreed to be the host venue for their 2013 Pitch Across Maryland Innovation Celebration.
The 2013 edition of the Pitch Across Maryland is the second annual state-wide tour and celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation communities.
“Referred to by FOX News affiliate WBOC-TV 16 as Opportunity on Wheels, the inaugural Pitch Across Maryland tour was an overwhelming success last year and this year’s offering is about to hit the road on September 9 with the first Stop on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, MD,” stated Julie Lenzer Kirk, Startup Maryland co-chair.
The bus will traverse the state (and the broader region) all in the name of celebrating entrepreneurship. This year’s Pitch Across Maryland culminates with the Last Step … Innovation Celebration which will be held on September 27 on The Promenade at UNDER ARMOUR worldwide headquarters in South Baltimore. Watch for more details and ticket information related to the event which will be announced soon.
Get on the Bus™ …
Innovation stakeholders from all geographies and industry categories have already stepped-up to co-host tour stops and herald the Pitch Across Maryland celebration on behalf of diverse startup communities. The Pitch Across Maryland is intended to shine the spotlight on entrepreneurs, innovations and resources that exist just under the radar but have the potential to ignite the next high-growth companies. Details on the tour stops and schedule can be found here: Pitch Across Maryland Schedule
“Wrapping the Pitch Across Maryland tour at UNDER ARMOUR is intended to inspire entrepreneur participants and supporters to consider what their dreams can become,” stated Michael Binko, CEO of kloudtrack®and founder/co-chair Startup Maryland. “The UNDER ARMOUR story, while globally known now, began as another Maryland startup working hard to find its path forward,” added Binko.
At each stop, Startup Maryland and Tour Sponsors/Partners co-host rallies sharing information about the incredible entrepreneurial resources across the state. Additionally, entrepreneurs are provided coaching, guidance and support from mentors and other leaders from TEDCO, DBED as well as active angel/VC investors.
Then, the entrepreneurs climb onto the bus and pitch their idea/business in the mobile UpStart Show™ video studio. Videos are uploaded to YouTube® and then open to public viewing/voting. This competition aspect of the tour allows the entrepreneurs, sponsors and tour hosts to activate social networks for even broader awareness and celebration. Eight Finalists will be selected by an investor panel and invited to present their pitches again at TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo in November where a winner and runner-up will be announced.
Empowering Entrepreneur Champions
Earlier this year, Startup Maryland began a campaign to engage its registered participants as Entrepreneur Champion leaders for the Startup Maryland initiative. Startup Maryland held a series of Champion sessions during which a Theme and Areas of Focus were identified and prioritized. From that gathering, the theme of Maryland’s Unfair Advantage emerged – related to the wealth of resources and support for startups.
Additionally, Connection, Celebration, Coaching and Capital were identified as the four Areas of Focus for Startup Maryland’s mission and efforts moving forward.
With active universities, accelerators, economic development agencies and innovation partners like Maryland TEDCO and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), Startup Maryland is concentrating on the entrepreneur communities to strengthen Maryland’s economic fabric while fostering a climate where the most promising companies can help each as peers while leveraging the wide array of resources in order to inflect and thrive.
Looking for other startup/entrepreneur guidance and resources? Join the Startup Maryland entrepreneurial community at: https://startupmd.org/become-a-member/
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