Pitch & Mingle Series: The Great Pumpkin Pitch

Watch 5 Maryland startups pitch for $10K+ in prizes, then mingle with founders, investors & entrepreneurs over food & drinks.
About this Event

Sweater Weather, Bigger Stakes: Five Startups. One Stage. Over $10,000 on the Line.

Fall means it's time for the MIC's favorite pitch competition to heat back up. Five entrepreneurs from across Maryland pitch live for more than $10,000 in prizes, then it's cocktails, light fare, and networking with entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors from around the state.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF

• You're an entrepreneur or small business owner who wants to see how a winning pitch is built — and learn from the Q&A
• You're an investor, mentor, or ecosystem partner looking to meet Maryland's next wave of entrepreneurs
• You want a low-pressure way to grow your network with other business owners over food and drinks
• You're a past MIC participant, member, or supporter who wants to root on this year's finalists

WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH

• A front-row seat to five live pitches and real judge Q&A — a masterclass in what makes a pitch land
• A vote in the Crowd Favorite Award, with $1,000 on the line for the audience's pick
• New connections with entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors from across Maryland's startup community
• A full evening of food, drinks, and networking at the Maryland Innovation Center
• A look at how to position your own business the next time you're ready to pitch

THE COMPETITION

• Five finalists, selected from applications, each deliver a 5-minute pitch followed by 3 minutes of Q&A from a panel of expert judges
• Judges award more than $10,000 in total prize funding:
• The audience votes live for the Crowd Favorite Award, adding an extra $1,000 for the winning company

GOT A BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN? APPLY TO PITCH Applications are open now through Friday, August 21 at 11:59 PM ET for Maryland-based, early-stage businesses (under $150K in annual revenue, in business less than 5 years, with some customer traction). Five finalists are selected to pitch live at this event and receive complimentary food, drinks, and networking access all night. 👉 Apply to Pitch

DETAILS:

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026 · 5:00 – 8:00 PM ET

📍 Maryland Innovation Center, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046

⏱️ 3 hours

🎟️ Five live pitches, judges' Q&A, Crowd Favorite vote, food & drinks included 💵 $35

Agenda

🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Registration & Networking
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Welcome & Introduction
🕑: 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Pitches
🕑: 07:00 PM - 07:20 PM
Networking & Deliberation
🕑: 07:20 PM - 07:30 PM
Winner Announcement
🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Networking & Closing