Southern Maryland entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas at the Southern Maryland Innovation and Tech (SMIT) MeetUp on October 22. SMIT, sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development. Two local startups, Blink and Q3D Printers won the opportunity to exhibit at the 2014 Entrepreneur Expo on November 12. The Expo, hosted each year by the Technology Economic Development Corporation, will provide the two startups an opportunity to network with more than 500 attendees including investors, federal lab representatives, leading business professionals as well as other entrepreneurs from around Maryland.

Connie Fuksa, creator of Blink was not only selected to exhibit at the Entrepreneur Expo but also took the prize in the ‘Fan Favorites’ vote at the MeetUp. Blink is a marketing reminder system that empowers small businesses to stay in touch with their customers, prospects and business partners. Blink is designed to be a simple and easy solution for small businesses at a price they can afford. “Blink, it’s just that easy,” is Connie’s tag line to sum up the benefits of her online service to small businesses.

Ryan Blackwood, the creator of Q3D Printers, presented his new 3D printing technology with the offer to make pre-assembled, easy to use and affordable printers for consumers. He is in the prototyping stage of his technology and working to create a machine with minimal calibration time and training for the end user.

Judges for the Pitch Contest included Tom Watts, a local developer and investor with a tremendous history in banking and finance; Ron Kaese, Director of Federal Programs at TEDCO and Dr. Tracy Harris, Vice President and Dean of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Leonardtown Campus. Dr. Harris announced CSM will soon launch an Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute to support startups and small business growth throughout Southern Maryland.

SMIT will take a break from the its monthly meetings for the holiday season but will reconvene its MeetUp schedule beginning in January. The next SMIT MeetUp is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitor’s Center.