Congratulations, STARTUP Accelerator Program 2026, Cohort 2!
On May 6, 2026, the STARTUP Showcase virtual event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, and innovation leaders from across Maryland to celebrate the accomplishments of Cohort 2 of the STARTUP Accelerator™ program.
More than 100 attendees joined the live virtual showcase, creating an energetic and highly engaged environment focused on innovation, connection, and opportunity. Throughout the event, participants contributed more than 90 comments in the active live chat, sparking meaningful conversations and demonstrating strong interest in the founders, technologies, and business solutions presented.
The showcase also generated tangible outcomes for participating entrepreneurs. Over 28 warm introductions were facilitated following the event, connecting founders with potential advisors, investors, talent, and valuable ecosystem resources. These introductions reflect one of the core goals of the STARTUP Accelerator™ program: helping founders build the strategic relationships needed to accelerate growth and reach critical business milestones.
Entrepreneurs from Cohort 2 delivered compelling presentations that showcased the originality of their ideas and the significant progress they achieved during the accelerator experience. Each founder demonstrated how the program helped refine their business models, strengthen their market strategies, and position their ventures for future investment and growth.
STARTUP Accelerator Program Cohort 2, 2026
- Nyleena A. Aiken, Phictly
- Rezlind Bushati, Phaseshift
- Nauman Sheikh, Marketing etc
- Harish Reddy Manyam, Deushire
- Shawnita Robinson, Wryles Twelve
- William Ziegler, TALCO TECHNOLOGIES LP
- KC Kyuchon Song, Jayeonsoft
- Jingsen Ma, MBaFUS
- Randy B., Neatlabs™
The event also underscored the importance of collaboration in supporting entrepreneurial success. Presented by bwtech@UMBC and Innovation Maryland, and powered by FounderTrac, the STARTUP Showcase created a dynamic platform where founders could gain visibility, expand their networks, and engage directly with key members of the innovation community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:
- The entrepreneurs who poured their hearts and minds into developing their ideas and businesses
- The dedicated mentors from bwtech, Startup Grind Maryland, and FounderTrac who coached, inspired, and paved the way for the further development of the entrepreneurs who presented this evening
- The guest speakers who generously donated their time and expertise in facilitating during the program to educate our the entrepreneurs on key areas for success
- All attendees and supporters who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the event
We are filled with pride for the accomplishments of our entrepreneurs and the collaborative spirit of Maryland’s startup ecosystem. We wish all the participants the very best as they continue to accelerate their startups with their newfound knowledge and connections.