Invest Maryland Challenge

Get a 100k to jump start your company

Are you an entrepreneur 
in need of a jump start?

The InvestMaryland Challenge is a national seed and early-stage business competition hosted by the State of Maryland. The Challenge will award $300,000 in grants and a host of business services to companies in the life sciences and high tech industries. Companies also have the opportunity to receive direct investments from venture capital firms and angel investors.

Qualifications

To qualify, start-ups must have fewer than 25 employees and annual revenues of less than $1 million. The competition is for independent ventures in the seed, start-up, or early-growth stages. The company must be a duly-organized legal entity and in good standing with the state in which they are legally registered. Sole proprietorships are not eligible. Existing Maryland ventures must have a principal place of business in Maryland. Non-Maryland ventures are expected to establish a place of business in the state either through acquired space or a state incubator. At least 51% of the grant money must be spent within the state. Entrants can only apply for one category. A non-refundable $100 application fee required. Subject to other requirements.

Submissions Accepted: September 24 - December 13, 2012

Categories

IT Hardware & Software

IT Hardware & Software

This category covers a broad range of technologies including, but not limited to Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Data Mining & Analytics, Forensic Tools, Geospatial, Data Management, Social Media & Apps, Cellular Tools and E-Commerce.
(Open to Maryland companies only).
Life Science

Life Science

This category covers a broad range of products and services critical to the life science ecosystem including, but not limited to Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, Diagnostics and Therapeutics 
(Open to Maryland companies only).

General - Open nationally to all industries

General - Open nationally to all industries

This category covers a broad range of technologies focused on Maryland’s top industries including, Energy, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Maritime, Clean Tech, IT, Life Sciences and Manufacturing and concepts with high social impact.
(Open to Maryland & Non-Maryland-based companies)

Posted: November 16, 2012, 3:22 PM