Helping founders find community and connections
A free 10-week virtual accelerator (Wednesdays, 5-6:30 PM) in partnership with M&T Bank. Covers business planning, finance, capital access, marketing, legal, and pitching. Includes a pitch competition with cash prizes. Graduates may apply for the EmPOWER Loan Program offering up to $10K via LEDC CDFI and Maryland's DHCD. Designed for racially and ethnically diverse entrepreneurs in Frederick County.
Seed accelerator providing 13 weeks of programming and $25,000 in seed funding to 6–8 tech startups per cohort, aiming to close the gap between innovative ideas and getting to market.
Learn more →Accelerator powered by FounderTrac platform for women and minority-owned businesses in Prince George's County, providing online portal access, cohort programming, mentors, and growth tracking.
Learn more →Empowers diverse, early-stage founders to build purpose-driven businesses by providing training, mentorship, and resources focused on stakeholder theory and conscious capitalism, fostering both societal and financial value in historically excluded communities.
Learn more →Intensive 12-week accelerator for early-stage cybersecurity startups, providing mentorship, funding connections, and technical resources to refine products, scale operations, and secure investment.
Learn more →An 8-week summer accelerator for University of Maryland students and recent alumni. Selects a cohort of 12 teams from 35+ applicants. Each team receives a $5K non-dilutive stipend, a dedicated mentor, and access to weekly workshops. Concludes with a Demo Day. Graduates become eligible for the Terp Startup Fellows program, which provides up to $20K in additional funding.
Learn more →An 8-week Accelerator Fellows program offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions, open to all University of Maryland students and alumni with a social impact focus. Participants receive a $2K stipend. Advanced participants can apply for Scale Your Impact (year-long program) and the Do Good Challenge (prizes up to $40K). Mini-grants of $500 are also available for early-stage exploration.
Learn more →A 6-month accelerator for women who already own micro-businesses and are ready to grow. Part of the Empowered Women International (EWI) initiative. Participants meet twice monthly and gain access to LEDC's CDFI microloan products to fund expansion. Located at the White Oak office: 12520 Prosperity Dr., Suite 200, Silver Spring, MD 20904.
Learn more →Accelerator for late-stage AgTech, CyberAg, Renewable Energy, and AgBioTech companies, providing advanced business advisory, non-dilutive capital access, and industry connections. No equity taken.
Learn more →Johns Hopkins University's flagship startup commercialization program, having helped form 150+ companies. Operates multiple locations including Homewood/Stieff Silver and FastForward East at 855 N. Wolfe St. The student-focused FastForward U offers two tracks: Spark (ideation, 9 weeks) and Fuel (validation, 9 weeks), providing resources, mentorship, and workspace for JHU-affiliated entrepreneurs to launch ventures.
Learn more →8-week capacity building accelerator for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, especially those transitioning from federal careers, to develop sustainable business plans and launch their companies.
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