Start-Up Zone Criteria and Application
Data Center Summit - Deadline to apply July 20th Bio Innovation Conference - Deadline to apply September 23rd Technology Symposiums (AI, Cybersecurity, Biotech AI and Gov Con)- Deadline to apply for AI BioTech August 15th
Eligibility Criteria
Geographic Requirement
Companies must be headquartered in Maryland or have a major operational presence in the state.
Stage of Business / Revenue Threshold
Eligible companies should be early-stage with less than $200,000 in annual revenue. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for companies in capital-intensive industries such as biotech.
Age of Company
Companies must have been in operation for five years or fewer. Biotech companies may qualify if they are pre-FDA approval or within two years post-approval.
Innovation Focus
Applicants must be offering an innovative product, service, or technology. Traditional service providers (e.g., IT staffing or consulting without a proprietary offering) would not qualify.
Sector Alignment
Companies should be aligned with sectors relevant to the conference them, such as life sciences, data infrastructure, energy, cybersecurity, health tech, or advanced manufacturing.
Application
Company Information
Company Name
*
Company Contact
*
First Name
Last Name
Email
*
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Website
Founding Year
*
Number of Employees
Which industry best describes your company?
*
Life Sciences
Technology
Data Center / Infrastructure
Other
Stage of Company
*
Concept Stage
Pre-Seed Stage
Seed Stage
Early Stage
Growth Stage
Annual Sales
Which MTC conference do you think is the best fit for your company?
*
Maryland Data Center Summit (August 20, 2026, MD Live Hotel and Casino)
Bio Innovation Conference (October 23, 2026), Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center)
Technology Transformation Symposium - AI and BioTech - Fall 2026
Technology Symposium - AI and Biotech
Technology Symposium - Cybersecurity
Technology Symposium - Gov Con
Product/Solution Overview
What product or solution will you be showcasing?
0/200
What problem does your product or service solve?
0/200
What is your value proposition?
0/200
What stage of development is your product?
*
Concept
Prototype
Minimum Viable Product
First Version Ready for Sales
Initial Sales
Scaling
Who is your target market, and how are you currently or planning to reach them?
0/100
Current Funding Questions
What is your current funding status?
*
Bootstrapped (self-funded)
Friends & Family Round
Pre-see funding raised
Seed funding raised
Series A or beyond
Other
How much total funding have you raised to date? (include all types)
*
None
Less than $100,000
$100,0000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
Over $1M
Prefer not to say
What types of funding have you received? Check all that apply.
*
Non-dilutive grants (e.g. SBIR/STTR, state/federal programs)
Angel Investment
Venture Capital
Crowdfunding
Convertible Notes/ SAFEs
Other
Are you currently raising capital or planning to raise soon?
*
Yes, actively raising now
Planning to raise in the next 6-12 months
Not currently raising
No
Strategic Value for the Conference
What are you hoping to gain by exhibiting at the conference? (e.g. visibility, feedback, partnerships, funding)
*
0/150
Demo Day
As part of the Start-Up Zone, we request that the chosen exhibitors for each conference participate in a culminating event called Start-Up Zone Connect and Pitch. Companies that participated in the Start-up Zone at the conferences will be judged in either the life sciences or technology sector. Industry leaders will judge the companies based on their rapid pitches and exhibiting at this culminating event.
Are you willing to participate in a Start-Up Zone Connect and Pitch event in the spring? (free for start-up)
Yes
No
Maybe
Have you presented at a similar event before? If yes, briefly describe the experience.
Upload your one-pager, product sheet or pitch deck. (Non-Confidential Materials Only)
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*All decisions regarding qualification are at the discretion of the Maryland Tech Council.
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