HoCo Higher Accelerator: Fast Track

Howard County Economic Development Authority

A 10-week accelerator for early-stage founders to build, test, and grow their business with expert-led sessions and hands-on support.

Maryland Innovation Center

[Active Cohort]JOIN BEFORE IT'S TOO LATEIf you're an early-stage founder, you’ve felt the pressure: You have the idea. You have the motivation. You may even have early traction… But turning that into a structured, revenue-generating business still feels overwhelming. The HoCo Higher Accelerator was built to change that. This 10-week cohort program supports idea-stage and early-stage founders earning $0–$150K in annual revenue. Through expert-led workshops, hands-on activities, and weekly progress-building, you'll learn how to lay the foundation for a business that can grow.Every session features a different instructor bringing real-world expertise in marketing, sales, finance, legal, tax, funding, customer discovery, and more. And yes — food is provided at every session. <h3>What You’ll Walk Away With</h3>✔️ A clear understanding of each building block of a business ✔️ Weekly instruction from subject-matter experts ✔️ Templates, tools, and systems you can implement immediately ✔️ A community of founders growing alongside you ✔️ A pitch opportunity during graduation ✔️ Access to local business resources for continued support <h3>Program Logistics</h3><ul><li>10-week accelerator cohort</li><li>In-person sessions</li><li>Different instructor each week</li><li>Dinner/food provided each session</li><li>Built for founders earning $0–$150K</li></ul> The 10-Week Experience<h3>Week 1 — Welcome &amp; Orientation</h3>April 7th Meet your cohort, present a1-minute pitch of your business, understand the program structure, and explore the Howard County business ecosystem.<h3>Week 2 — Customer Discovery &amp; Market Research</h3>April 14th Identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and determine what makes your solution unique.<h3>Week 3 — Business Models &amp; Pricing</h3>April 21st Explore different business models, decide which fits your company, and understand the fundamentals of pricing your offer.<h3>Week 4 — Legal &amp; Tax Formation</h3>April 28th Learn entity types, IP protection basics, and how to stay compliant with state, local, and federal tax requirements.<h3>Week 5 — Business Finances</h3>May 5th Understand how to read a Profit &amp; Loss statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet — and what they reveal about your business.<h3>Week 6 — Raising Capital</h3>May 12th Learn how funding works, what lenders and partners look for, and what it takes to prepare for capital.<h3>Week 7 — Marketing Foundations</h3>May 19th Understand the essentials of attracting, engaging, nurturing, and converting leads with a strong marketing foundation.<h3>Week 8 — Sales Systems &amp; Closing</h3>May 26th Learn how to find customers, manage sales activity, and close deals consistently through a repeatable process.<h3>Week 9 — Pitch Preparation</h3>June 2nd Develop your pitch, craft your storyline, and strengthen your delivery ahead of graduation.<h3>Week 10 — Demo Day: Business Pitch &amp; Graduation</h3>June 9th Pitch your business, celebrate your progress, and learn about next steps to continue growing your company. Disclaimer:By registering for this event, you agree that your contact information may be shared with the event sponsor(s) for follow-up communications related to the event or their services. If you prefer not to have your information shared, please contact the event organizer directly. Please note: Photos, videos and recordings may be taken during the event and used for marketing or promotional purposes by the organizers and sponsors. By attending, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in these materials.

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HoCo Higher Accelerator: Fast Track

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HoCo Higher Accelerator: Fast Track

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