Founders and entrepreneurs gathered for Session 3 of Innovation Maryland, Inc.’s Product Scale Playbook series to explore one of the most challenging phases of building a company: the transition from early traction to scalable growth.
Hosted for startups navigating revenue plateaus, operational growing pains, and fundraising preparation, the session focused on what panelists described as the “messy middle” — the stage between proving an idea and building a sustainable, market-leading business.
The discussion moved beyond startup theory and focused instead on the practical frameworks, operational discipline, and leadership strategies required to scale successfully.
Moderated by Graham Dodge, the panel featured an experienced group of leaders and entrepreneurs, including:
- Chuck Montague
- Shalisa Mohamed
- Phil Masiello
Throughout the session, panelists emphasized that while early traction is important, investors ultimately look for repeatable growth, scalable systems, and operational execution.
One of the central themes of the conversation was the shift founders must make once product-market fit begins to emerge. Panelists encouraged entrepreneurs to think beyond the initial “founder hustle” phase and begin building processes, teams, and systems that can support long-term scale.
Attendees engaged in candid discussions around growth strategy, operational bottlenecks, fundraising readiness, and the realities of scaling a startup in today’s competitive market.
The Product Scale Playbook series continues to provide Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with practical insights and peer-to-peer learning opportunities designed to help founders navigate critical growth stages.
Mark Your Calendars! The final session in the four-part series is scheduled for October 8 at bwtech South. Organizers note that seating is intentionally limited to encourage meaningful conversation and networking among attendees.
