The Southern Maryland Innovation and Technology (SMIT) initiative has awarded Smartronix and Coherent Technical Services, two locally headquartered technology firms, Pro Memberships to CoFounders Lab.
CoFounders Lab, a OneVest Company, is an online partnering platform of more than 40,000 founders, advisers and interns available to help launch and grow businesses. A Pro Membership provides access to entrepreneurs nation-wide to help individuals connect with the right partner, investment or resource needed to take a business to the next level. SMIT will award 40 Pro Memberships to individuals and companies to encourage technical innovation and commercialization in St. Mary’s County.
SMIT is a collaboration between the NAWCAD Technology Transfer Office, Maryland Technology Development Corporation, and the University of Maryland working with St. Mary’s County Government to bring entrepreneurs, inventors, developers, researchers, mentors, investors and the broader entrepreneurial community together to participate in a MeetUp on the fourth Wednesday of each month. MeetUps are the breeding ground for innovation and technology oriented start-up businesses.
Mr. Alan Parris, President, accepted the award on behalf of Smartronix, Inc. Smartronix specializes in engineering, enterprise software solutions; cloud computing, network operations, cyber security, and health IT. Mr. Tom Sanders, Managing Director of Coherent Technical Services, Inc. (CTSi) represented the small, veteran-owned company which specializes in web development, fabrication services, including prototype machining, electro mechanical assembly, composite, and circuit board design and assembly needs for both government and private markets. Both Smartronix and CTSi will use the Pro Memberships to identify new commercial market opportunities for their businesses.
On September 24th, SMIT will host the state-wide Pitch Across Maryland Contest, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Tides Restaurant, located at 46580 Expedition Drive in Lexington Park. SMIT and StartUp Maryland invite entrepreneurs and startup companies to Get On The Bus and “pitch” their ideas, products and businesses with a concise 2-3 minute message which will be professionally videotaped for entry into the contest. StartUp Maryland will post the videos online to determine which are the “Fan’s Favorites” and which suggest the “Strongest Potential for High Growth.” Eight semi-finalists will pitch to a state-wide audience at the Entrepreneur Expo this November with three finalists selected to enter the 2015 InvestMaryland Challenge to compete for over $400,000 in grants and business services.
There is no cost to join SMIT or to enter the Pitch Across Maryland Contest but only serious minded technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors will be considered to participate. To learn more about SMIT go to: http://www.meetup.com/Southern-Maryland-Innovation-and-Tech/. To be considered for a Pro-Membership and the Pitch Across Maryland contest, contact Laura Boonchaisri, Coordinator, Business Development Division, St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development, at 301-475-4200, ext. 1408.