- May 2026 -

Professionals Connect, Learn, and Grow in Support of Maryland’s Entrepreneurs

SBDC staff, along with Bryce Besaw, District Director, SBA Baltimore District Office,

celebrate awardees for their impact to the network

On May 6, 2026, Maryland SBDC staff from across the state gathered in College Park, MD, for the annual Spring Summit, a day of professional development, strategic network updates, and sharing the impact and successes of the organization on Maryland’s entrepreneurial community. Special presenters at the event included Dr. Dean Chang, Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Maryland, and U.S. Small Business Administration’s Bryce Besaw, District Director, Baltimore Office and Mike Collins, SBA Lender Relations Specialist.

Attendees were able to hear inspirational stories of resilience and growth from several long-term SBDC clients, including:

• Rehan Khan, CEO of Umami Global Bistro (Cantonsville, MD)
• Elisabeth Lyautey, President of Foundations Learning Center (Lexington Park, MD)
• Jason Barnes, CEO of All Time Toys (Eldersburg, Maryland), who was previously spotlighted by the Maryland SBDC. Click here to watch the video.

From left to right: SBDC consultant Garrett Glover, along with clients Barnes, Lyautey, and Khan

Employees were recognized during the Staff Impact Awards session for their outstanding contributions to the network, with categories highlighting achievements such as “consultant shoutouts from clients” and ”percentage of long-term clients".

The Summit also included the announcement of Maryland SBDC's State Star Award recipient for 2026. Stay tuned for the official release - coming soon!

UMD Small Business Programs at the AFDW Small Business Summit

Memorial Day:

Remembering and Honoring the Fallen

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who served and sacrificed for our nation. We thank our fallen heroes for their courage and service.

Patriot Pitch Competition - Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary

Is your high-potential small business innovating and working to shape the future in your industry? If so, we want to hear from you! 

SBA is hosting a nationwide pitch competition that will bring together entrepreneurs from across the country who are building and scaling businesses within their communities.  

Selected businesses will be invited to participate in a live pitch competition in Washington, DC, which will culminate in a $1 million prize pool to celebrate the innovation and ambition that has driven American ingenuity for the past 250 years. 

Click here for submission guidelines and to learn how to apply.

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Resources for Your Venture

Discover free resources in Maryland, including snapshot reports for numerous popular industries, competitor research, market research, and more.

University of Maryland Small Business Programs

The University of Maryland directs several federally funded programs that provide personalized guidance, resources, and expertise to help small business owners succeed to start and grow sustainable businesses statewide by providing assistance in accessing capital, marketing, and strategic planning. These programs include Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC), as well as Apex Accelerator, Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC), and the Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

Maryland SBDC



Maryland’s Catalyst for Small Business Success -

One Entrepreneur at a Time