Startup Bazaar @ UMD: GovCon

Startup Bazaar UMD: GovCon, scheduled to be held at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business on April 18, will bring together founders, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders at the intersection of innovation and government contracting.

This edition focuses on GovCon—one of the most powerful engines of economic growth in the region. Positioned just outside Washington, D.C., the University of Maryland sits at the heart of one of the largest government contracting ecosystems in the world. Startup Bazaar UMD: GovCon taps into this unique advantage, creating a platform where emerging startups can explore pathways into federal, state, and defense markets.

• Founder showcases highlighting startups building solutions for government and regulated industries
• Investor and GovCon executive panels on navigating procurement, compliance, and scaling
• Conversations with public sector leaders and prime contractors
• Networking opportunities connecting university innovators with capital and customers

• Engage directly with GovCon investors, prime contractors, and procurement leaders actively deploying capital and awarding contracts
• Connect with founders, mentors, and compliance experts who understand how to navigate federal procurement
• Build relationships with Washington, D.C.–area GovCon executives and ecosystem stakeholders, contracting officers, and industry partners.

• Sanjay Mittal, CEO, eHealthObjects
• Rajan Natrajan, Founder, Global Alliant Inc
• Dolly Oberoi, C2 Technologies
• Sanjay Puri, Founder, AutoNebula
• Sandesh Sharda, GroMore Portfolio Management
• Salil Sankaran, President, Ampcus
• Anil Sharma, 22nd Century Technologies
• Rohit Tripathi, VU Capital

Info: Key themes:
• When to transition from sub to prime
• Building capture and BD infrastructure
• Past performance barriers
• Managing recompetes
• Building a scalable contract vehicle strategy
• Small business certifications & graduation

Info: While federal contracting dominates the DMV conversation, state, county, and municipal governments collectively spend hundreds of billions annually on IT modernization, healthcare systems, transportation, cybersecurity, education tech, and infrastructure.

For many startups and growth-stage firms, state and local contracts are:

- Easier entry points than federal
- Faster procurement cycles
- Less compliance-heavy
- Strong proving grounds for past performance

Info: The Growth Stage Startup Showcase is designed for growth-stage and scale-up companies with demonstrated traction, market validation, and clear paths to expansion. Selected startups will have four minutes to present, followed by four minutes of in-depth Q&A with investors, operators, and industry leaders. This session focuses on business model strength, growth strategy, scalability, and capital requirements, offering founders an opportunity to engage in substantive discussions around market leadership, partnerships, and next-phase growth.

Info: Key Themes:

- What makes GovCon companies attractive acquisition targets?
- Organic growth vs. contract consolidation
- PE roll-ups vs. strategic buyers
- Timing the exit
- EBITDA multiples in GovCon
- Lessons learned

Info: Key themes:

- AI adoption in federal agencies
- Modernization opportunities
- Health IT, defense tech, climate tech
- Where startups can break in

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher The American Bazaar