Information Technology
Always at the Cutting Edge
With thousands of highly educated IT professionals employed by Central Maryland communications businesses, software firms and adjacent industries, it’s no wonder expanding tech companies trust Howard County.
Our proximity to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. offers a strategic location for IT companies seeking top talent or easy access to urban centers, and at our Maryland Innovation Center in Columbia, businesses benefit from incubators, thousands of feet of office space and several affinity groups for disruptive tech professionals.
Fast Facts
Square Feet of Office Space at the Maryland Innovation Center
Best Cities for Tech Jobs (Columbia-Baltimore-Townsend Metro Area)
Largest Consolidated Market in the U.S. with Access to Military Installations and Federal Agencies
Howard County Information Technology Jobs
Move and shake along with some of the nation’s top information technology professionals — with thousands of software development, cybersecurity and systems engineering jobs available in Howard County.
Information Technology companies in Howard County
Cybersecurity companies, software developers and communications firms employ thousands of IT professionals in Howard County.
A Readymade Workforce Pipeline
Howard County stands as a burgeoning hub of tech talent, bolstered by close to 66,000 employed individuals in the Columbia-Baltimore-Towson area according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The region’s tech prowess is further solidified by the presence of esteemed tech-focused institutions such as Capitol Technology University in Laurel and UMBC Department of Information Systems and the UNBC Training Centers in Baltimore — cultivating a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the ever-evolving technological landscape.
Exponentially Growing Investments
An enticing set of incentives are available for IT companies in Howard County, including a property tax credit designed for newly constructed buildings used to support key industries in the region such as informatics. Moreover, early-stage IT businesses that relocate or startup in Maryland can benefit from the Maryland Tech Council’s Cybersecurity Investment Incentive Tax Credit, strategically designed to foster growth, job creation and retain intellectual property within the state.
Tech Communities with Extended Reach
Our nationally recognized Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) stands as a thriving ecosystem for ambitious IT enterprises in Central Maryland, fostering their growth and development. MIC’s Business Revitalization Initiative Through Entrepreneurship (BRITE) has engaged close to 1,000 participants since its opening in 2021. Looking ahead, the center aims to incorporate cybersecurity as a fundamental part of its programming, while also leveraging collaborative partnerships to secure capital funding for startups.
Data Tribe Finds Success in Howard County
Mike Janke of Data Tribe discusses why they chose Howard County to start their cyber security startup studio.
Featured News + Events
NextGen Founders: Building Howard County’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
This summer, high school and college students gained more than work experience through our 2026 summer internship program. They spent the summer working alongside our business units and Maryland Innovation Center companies while building the skills, connections and confidence to take their next steps. Through the Summer 2026 Youth in Business Series: NextGen Founders, interns also
LIFT Fund Helps Candles by Candy Turn Funding Into Business Growth
Access to capital can help a small business move forward. Pairing that capital with the right guidance can help an entrepreneur decide where to go next. For Candles by Candy, support through our LIFT Microloan Fund provided both. Founder Candace Bell has grown Candles by Candy from a passion for candle making into a Howard
What Howard County Businesses Gain from Business Appreciation Week
Running a business comes with plenty of opportunities and challenges. Business Appreciation Week gives Howard County businesses a direct way to share both with the people working to support the local business community. From September 28 through October 2, 2026, Ambassador teams will visit businesses across Howard County during Business Appreciation Week. The goal is simple: