Startup Bazaar: @Univ of Maryland - Featuring Lt Governor of Maryland

Join us for Startup Bazaar: University of Maryland. With a focus on AI, quantum computing, biosciences and medtech, the event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and industry leaders to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future. This is a FREE event sponsored by Chargerzilla - leader in community based EV charger sharing platform.

Hosted at the Robert H. Smith School of Business on April 12, this event is part of the American Bazaar’s signature Startup Bazaar series, which has successfully connected startup ecosystems at leading universities and business hubs across the U.S. and internationally.

Whether you’re a startup founder, investor, student, or simply passionate about innovation, this event offers a unique platform to learn, connect, and gain valuable industry insights.

Designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, this event brings together early-stage entrepreneurs, aspiring founders, and students for an immersive experience in the startup ecosystem.

Startup Bazaar: University of Maryland will sportlight three key areas the state of Maryland is focusing on, AI, Quantum Computing, and Biotech. It will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and industry leaders to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future in these areas.

10:30 AM - 11 AM

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

AI is transforming industries and attracting massive investments, but not all bets are guaranteed to succeed. This panel gathers top venture capitalists, industry analysts, and AI entrepreneurs to discuss the most promising areas for AI startups to enter. With AI's vast potential, how do you identify the sectors ripe for innovation and investment? Which AI ventures are getting too much attention and which ones are likely to underperform? Gain expert insights into emerging AI trends, market opportunities, and strategic approaches to ensure your investment or startup has a competitive edge in this fast-evolving space.

Key topics:

Hot AI sectors: AI in healthcare, finance, autonomous systems, and ethical AI.

Overhyped areas: Areas that are receiving too much attention without clear monetization.

Startup Strategies: Best practices for launching AI-driven startups and scaling them.

AI regulation and governance: How to navigate the ethical and regulatory challenges emerging in AI.

11:45 AM - 12:05 PM

12:05 PM - 12:35 PM

Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller will deliver the keynote address highlighting Maryland’s leadership in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biosciences. She will discuss how the state’s investments in innovation, workforce development, and public-private partnerships are shaping the future of these transformative industries.

12:35 PM - 1:05 PM

1:05 - 1:30

Dr. Sanjay Rai

In an engaging fireside chat, Maryland’s Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Sanjay Rai will share his insights on the evolving role of higher education in powering innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. With decades of experience in both academia and public service, Dr. Rai will discuss how institutions can better align with industry needs, foster entrepreneurial thinking, and prepare students for the future of work in a rapidly changing world.

This conversation will explore:

• The intersection of education, technology, and entrepreneurship
• Maryland’s vision for equitable and future-ready higher education
• Opportunities for collaboration between universities, startups, and government.

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

The biotech and medtech landscapes are evolving rapidly, with groundbreaking discoveries and transformative innovations shaping the future of medicine and medical devices. The panel brings together biotech and medtech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry experts to explore the unique opportunities and challenges facing startups. From drug and device development to personalized medicine and beyond, learn about the most promising sectors and the strategic moves that can help your startup succeed in this highly competitive space. Whether you’re a founder looking to scale or an investor searching for the next big breakthrough, this discussion will offer invaluable insights into the biotech startup ecosystem.

Key topics:

• Emerging biotech and medtech trends: Cutting-edge research, CRISPR, gene therapy, and diagnostics.
• Startup funding strategies: How to attract investors and secure funding in a competitive market.
• Navigating regulatory hurdles: Strategies for compliance and approval processes.
• Scaling a biotech and medtech company: From lab to market – overcoming challenges in growth and commercialization.

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Quantum computing is poised to revolutionize industries, from cryptography to complex simulations, but it’s still in its early stages. This panel gathers leading quantum computing entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and researchers to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and breakthroughs driving quantum startups. Learn about the key areas where quantum computing is set to have the most impact, how startups are navigating this emerging field, and what it takes to turn quantum theory into real-world applications. Whether you're a founder, investor, or enthusiast, this session will offer crucial insights into the rapidly evolving quantum computing space and what the future holds for startups in this high-stakes market.

Key topics:

• Quantum computing applications: From cryptography and cybersecurity to material science and AI.
• Startups in quantum tech: What it takes to succeed in a highly specialized, cutting-edge field.
• Funding & investment: How to attract venture capital and scale within a competitive, high-risk industry.
• The road to quantum advantage: Overcoming technical, regulatory, and market challenges.

03:00 PM - 04:00 PM

AI strategist and Intupower founder Mo Hassan will break down how artificial intelligence can be used to solve real-world problems—ethically, effectively, and inclusively. Drawing on his proprietary Hasan Method™, Mo will share actionable insights on integrating AI into business, education, and community initiatives.

Whether you're a startup founder, nonprofit leader, or corporate executive, this session will help you reframe AI not just as a technology—but as a powerful tool for empowering people, creating access, and delivering measurable outcomes.

Participants will leave with:

A simple framework for applying AI across sectors

Real-life examples of AI transforming organizations

Guidance on aligning AI tools with purpose-driven goals

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Featured Startups:

– "The Airbnb of EV charging"

• Chargerzilla is redefining how EV drivers, property owners, and businesses connect through an AI-powered marketplace that’s been dubbed ‘the Airbnb of charging stations.’ Founded by Sajith Kumar, a U.S. Department of Transportation advisor and EV owner himself, Chargerzilla bridges policy and practicality. With support from Techstars, J.P. Morgan, and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, the platform already links drivers to over 250,000 charging stations across North America. What sets Chargerzilla apart is its mission-driven use of AI to optimize routes, pricing, and charger availability — while empowering property owners and businesses to monetize their infrastructure. This is not just a startup; it’s a vision for a smarter, greener future in mobility.

Oncovana – Fertility support for cancer patients

• Innovation often arises from a deep personal drive — from witnessing a gap in the system and refusing to accept it. Oncovana is one such innovation. It's a digital platform co-founded by Bhakthi Sahgal and fellow Doctor of Public Health students at George Washington University, designed to address a critical — yet often overlooked — issue: fertility preservation for cancer patients. For many newly diagnosed patients, treatments like chemotherapy can permanently impact fertility. Yet, most are left with little guidance and even less time — often just 10 days — to make life-altering decisions. Oncovana steps in where the healthcare system falls short. By connecting cancer centers, fertility clinics, and patients through a single, accessible platform, Oncovana empowers patients with education, resources, and empathetic support when they need it most. What began in a GWU entrepreneurship course has grown into a mission-driven venture, already earning accolades — including placing in the university’s New Venture Competition and winning at DC Startup and Tech Week. Bhakthi and her team are not only public health professionals — they’re system changers. And their platform isn’t just a product — it’s a lifeline for patients navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Tickets : This event is free for Chargerzilla customers and anyone with the Chargerzilla app, which must be presented at the gate. As lunch will be provided, please register your attendance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-bazaar-univ-of-maryland-featuring-lt-governor-of-maryland-tickets-1314216770739 to help us determine the number of attendees.

Looking forward to meeting you and friends.

Host or Publisher International Professionals Group (IPG)