Startup Bazaar UMD: 2026

​The third annual Startup Bazaar at the University of Maryland will bring together founders, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders at the intersection of innovation and government contracting.

​This edition focuses on GovCon — one of the most powerful engines of economic growth in the region. Positioned just outside Washington, D.C., the University of Maryland sits at the heart of one of the largest government contracting ecosystems in the world. Startup Bazaar UMD: GovCon taps into this unique advantage, creating a platform where emerging startups can explore pathways into federal, state, and defense markets.

​The event will feature:

• ​Founder showcases highlighting startups building solutions for government and regulated industries

• ​Investor and GovCon executive panels on navigating procurement, compliance, and scaling

• ​Conversations with public sector leaders and prime contractors

• ​Networking opportunities connecting university innovators with capital and customers

​Why you should attend:

• ​Engage directly with GovCon investors, prime contractors, and procurement leaders actively deploying capital and awarding contracts

• ​Connect with founders, mentors, and compliance experts who understand how to navigate federal procurement

• ​Build relationships with Washington, D.C.–area GovCon executives and ecosystem stakeholders, contracting officers, and industry partners.