WORCESTER COUNTY—The Eastern Shore is
scheduled to be one of the first stops on a second annual statewide tour to
find entrepreneurs in need of startup assistance, Worcester County Economic
Development Director Bill Badger said last week. 

The goal of the tour’s “Pitch Across
America 2.0” events is to promote and celebrate entrepreneurship in Maryland by
launching a Startup Maryland tour and celebration, he said.

Badger, who said he has been in
economic development for more than 30 years, advocated among tour organizers to
schedule a stop in the Ocean City area. The tour is scheduled to stop downtown
at the inlet on Sept. 9. Officials are seeking participants and confirming
exact locations.

Badger said the county’s economic
future lies in its ability to attract entrepreneurs, especially those in the
technical fields. He described the startup tour as a way to give local
entrepreneurs exposure to business executives and local officials who can help
them launch their business ideas.

According to the organization’s Web
site, www.startupmd.org, at each stop on the tour organizers will host rallies
and share information about available entrepreneurial resources. “Additionally,
entrepreneurs are provided coaching, guidance and support from business mentors
and other leaders from TEDCO, DBED as well as active angel/VC [venture capital]
investors,” it said.

“The entrepreneurs climb onto the bus
and pitch their idea/business in the mobile UpStart Show video
studio. Videos are uploaded to YouTube and then open to public
viewing/voting,” it said.

The organizers said the video aspect of
the competition would allow the entrepreneurs, sponsors and tour hosts to
activate social networks for even broader awareness and celebration.

Badger said would-be entrepreneurs who
are interested in participating in the event should be prepared to make a
five-minute presentation on their business plan and the amount of funding
needed for startup. He anticipated the local event will be able to accommodate
five presentations.

Presentations could include traditional
industries like agriculture and tourism, or new companies in the technical
fields of science, technology, engineering and math, Badger said.

For information, call 410-632-3112.