The Charles County Department of Economic Development is pleased to announce that Startup Maryland's Pitch Across Maryland, a statewide startup tour and business pitch competition, is making its way to Southern Maryland. The tour will take place Tuesday, Sept. 11 through Friday, Sept. 28.  The Southern Maryland Economic Development Association (SMEDA) will participate - through its Southern Maryland economic development partners in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties.   

The tour bus will stop in all three Southern Maryland Counties on Tuesday, Sept. 18. The bus will travel to College of Southern Maryland (CSM) campuses throughout the day, stopping in La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick.  At each stop, local entrepreneurs - established or aspiring - will be videotaped giving their business pitches.  Videos will be uploaded and open to public voting.  Participants get a copy of the videos for their own use.  Also, Startup Maryland and partners will share information about entrepreneurial resources across the state and within their region.   Entrepreneurs will get coaching and support from business mentors and other leaders of Maryland's innovation economy. 

"We are excited to host Startup Maryland here in Charles County," said Kwasi Holman, director of the county's Economic Development Department.  "This is an opportunity to bring some focus to our region and demonstrate the variety of innovation, energy, and talent we have here in Charles County and Southern Maryland."  

The Pitch Across Maryland Bus will be at the CSM La Plata Campus from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  It will stop in Leonardtown from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., and continue to Prince Frederick from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

For more information as well as a complete schedule of tour stops, visit www.md.s.co/blog/pitch-across-maryland. 

The two-week tour will end in a day-long celebration of entrepreneurship and Maryland's Innovation Economy. On Friday, Sept. 28, startups from across the state will meet at Merriweather Post Pavilion for a variety of fun entrepreneurial activities, including an opportunity to enter the Pitch Across Maryland Contest, inspirational speakers, and more.

To participate in the pitch competition, entrepreneurs must register in advance.  For more information, contact Ms. Marcia Keeth, business development manager for retention and expansion, at KeethM@CharlesCounty.org or 301-885-1345. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.