February 6, 2026 – Members of hackUMBC, a student-led club at UMBC, gathered at bwtech for an immersive introduction to the region’s startup ecosystem. The visit included presentations from bwtech client companies, a thought-provoking panel on artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship.
The experience aimed to connect the hackUMBC students with real-world innovation in an incubator environment, answer questions about startups and entrepreneurship, and spark inspiration and possibilities at the intersection of technology, careers, and venture creation.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion exploring how AI is reshaping computer science roles—and how those shifts may unlock new pathways for entrepreneurs. Panelists included:
- Aaron Miscenich, Executive Director at bwtech
- Chris White, Entrepreneur in Residence at bwtech (AI, HealthTech), Founder of NexSys Labs
- Harish Reddy Manyam, UMBC ’24, Founder of Deushire (a bwtech client company)
- Mohammad Samarah, Ph.D., UMBC Graduate Program Director, M.P.S. in Software Engineering
- Moderator: Bella Goltser, BC Computer Science, UMBC ’27, President of hackUMBC
The discussion addressed the rapidly evolving AI landscape, its implications for traditional computer science employment, and the growing opportunity for students to become founders rather than solely job seekers. The conversation emphasized adaptability, continuous learning, and the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in an AI-driven future.
Bringing the students to bwtech provided the students with more than just information; it provided perspective. Conversations with founders, exposure to emerging companies, and honest dialogue about AI’s impact helped demystify entrepreneurship and highlighted viable pathways from classroom learning to startup creation.
bwtech, along with Nexsys Labs, was proud to sponsor hackUMBC’s “Hackathon, 2025,” and will continue their support in 2026—reinforcing a shared commitment to student innovation and entrepreneurial growth.
Events like this underscore bwtech’s mission to cultivate innovation, connect talent with opportunity, and empower the next generation of technology leaders. As AI continues to transform industries, partnerships between universities, incubators, and entrepreneurs will remain essential in shaping what comes next.
