Cyber Howard Accelerator
Graduation and Next Steps
Graduation Is Just the Beginning
What Happens After the Accelerator
The Cyber Howard Accelerator prepares startups to operate independently and continue growing within Howard County’s cybersecurity ecosystem. Each company’s progress is evaluated based on business development milestones, market readiness and investor engagement.
Graduation Criteria
Participants must demonstrate:
- A well-defined business strategy with measurable progress in operations and key performance indicators
- A go-to-market plan with a clearly identified customer base and industry positioning
- A functional marketing and sales strategy with tested branding and sales execution
- Active investor and funding engagement through participation in pitch events and funding rounds
- Product readiness, including compliance progress and successful product iteration
What Comes Next
Graduates will transition into one of the following paths:
- Further incubation at the Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) to continue scaling operations
- Establishing independent operations in Howard County with a focus on growth and market expansion
- Securing government contracts, commercial partnerships or investor funding to accelerate development
Graduates will remain connected to the HCEDA, TAC and MIC network, gaining continued access to resources and business development support.