Tami Howie // CEO Corner

There comes a time in everyone’s life, whether a person or a company, when they must take action.  In Maryland, for technology and life science companies, the time is now. We are on the cusp of being one of the top innovation hubs in the country. We have the support of Governor Hogan and the Maryland Legislature on many needs and we have the greatest technology and life science companies in the country.  We also are home to federal labs and agencies and over 20 incubators.

We have the 2017 momentum as our tailwind pushing us forward into 2018.  Some of those successes include:

1. The merger of two largest technology councils in the state to create the new Maryland Tech Council with one voice for life science, technology and innovation
2. We helped to increase the research and development tax credit 
3. We pulled together and fought in Annapolis to continue to empower technology and life science companies to thrive in Maryland
4. We celebrated the 1 year anniversary of the Venture Mentor Program with 21 mentees and 55 trained mentors
5. We launched the Young Professionals Society
6. We launched the beta version of a statewide internship platform in-md.org with partners Breezio, Fearless, Maryland Department of Commerce and Maryland Department of Labor. Learn more >
7. We worked on a beta version of a statewide platform to match companies to potential investors with Evergreen and Maryland Department of Commerce
8. We held over 35 events on many different subject matters and made thousands of connections
9. Our members saved over $73,000 participating in our Cost Savings Program
10. We relaunched our Foundation to help mentorship and internships
11. We were featured in a nationwide magazine as the next technology hub. Preview magazine >
12. And so much more

In 2018 we need your help to keep the momentum going.  Please do not sit on the sidelines and think everyone else will make this happen.  The Maryland Tech Council needs each and every one of you to actively participate to make Maryland the next great technology hub.  Here are a few ways you can help, if you would like to get involved, contact me at tami@mdtechcouncil.com:

• Help us fight back against the report from the Legislative Services that R&D Tax Credit and Bio Technology Investor Tax Credit are not valuable by joining our Legislative Initiatives
• Participate on a committee http://www.mdtechcouncil.com/committees/
• Participate in the Legislative Coalition meetings on Monday mornings at 8:30am
• Mentor a company
• Sponsor an event
• Donate to our Foundation to encourage mentorship and internships
• Post an internship and mentor a student
• Chair an educational program
• Email me with other ideas—but don’t do nothing!!

Some of the things to look forward to in 2018 are:

• Governor Hogan keynoting our Leadership Dinner on January 18. Tickets are selling fast, don’t miss this opportunity to spend an evening with the Governor
• The launch of our new International Series starting February 15^th
• CXO Breakfast Series with topics for CXOs from all companies
• Lifetime Achievement Gala on April 17 honoring Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Douglas Lowy and Dr. John Schiller
• 30^th Anniversary Industry Awards Celebration on May 18
• Ultimate Golf Tournament at Cattail Creek Country Club on June 18
• Bio+Tech18 Conference at the Baltimore Hilton on September 20
• Annual Tech Tasting on November 8

As always we are here to help you grow your technology and life science business.  Please help us achieve our goal of making Maryland a top Innovation Hub in America.