This year, Maryland NEW VENTURE Pitch Night on May 11 will bring together an exceptional panel of judges who share a powerful common thread: each is a UMBC alum, a seasoned entrepreneur, and a member of bwtech’s Board of Trustees, bringing real-world insight, deep expertise, and a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of founders.
From scaling advanced manufacturing innovation to leading global fintech and e-commerce initiatives, Mike Adelstein, Srinivas Rao, and Krishna Gohel each offer a unique perspective shaped by hands-on experience building, growing, and advising ventures. Their journeys—from bwtech-based startups to global corporations and entrepreneurial ventures—reflect the strength of UMBC’s innovation ecosystem in action.
As judges, they’ll evaluate pitches with a founder’s mindset—looking for bold ideas, smart execution, and the potential to scale—while offering invaluable feedback to help emerging companies take their next big step.