The 2018 Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards publicly recognizes achievements by current clients and graduates of Maryland incubators and provides a forum for the nominees to increase their visibility in the business, technology and investment communities.
Business incubators support new and early-stage businesses in Maryland. In 1986, the first public incubator was established at the University of Maryland in College Park. Recognizing the economic challenges facing new companies, business incubators are facilities that provide reasonable market rents, shared services and technical assistance to start-ups and early-stage companies, including manufacturing, biotech, service and technology firms.
Sponsored by Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, M&T Bank, The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), RSM US LLP, The Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Maryland Business Incubator Association, the ICOY awards are chosen in several categories by a selection committee of regional industry leaders and early-stage investors. Award recipients benefit from publicity and gain greater credibility in the business, technology, and investment communities.
In 2001, as dotcoms throughout the country were downsizing, reorganizing or closing in record numbers, several organizations in Maryland decided to honor the success stories of technology companies. As a result, Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), McGladrey (now RSM), and Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP founded the Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards. The goal was, and continues to be, to publicly recognize the accomplishments of current clients and graduates of Maryland’s technology incubators and to provide a forum for the nominees to increase their visibility in the business, technology, and investment communities.
Since 2001, the ICOY Awards have honored over 100 new and early-stage companies (click here for Award Recipients from 2001 through 2017) for their achievements. Award Recipients have been selected from the biotechnology, computer technology, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to the founders, the Maryland Business Incubation Association (MBIA) is a strong supporter of the event.