Startup Maryland's "Pitch Across Maryland" bus tour stopped for a rally and business pitch session at the University of Baltimore on Sept. 29. Budding entrepreneurs from the University of Baltimore and the nearby Maryland Institute College of Art joined representatives from the Baltimore Development Corporation, the Emerging Technology Center, and other agencies and organizations for an opportunity to pitch their ideas and concepts for new businesses with several successful business leaders, who were on the bus when it pulled up in front of Gordon Plaza. The event, which celebrates entrepreneurship and brings focus to Maryland’s diverse economic opportunities and business cultures, featured many of UB’s “best of the best” up and coming entrepreneurs.

Year after year, the University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation leads the effort to bring the bus to campus to provide a real-world experience in pitching ideas to successful entrepreneurs. The center, located in UB's Merrick School of Business, invites winners of the University's Rise to the Challenge Pitch Competition as well as the UB Entrepreneurship Fellows to participate in the "Pitch Across Maryland" event.

"These are some of UB's 'best of the best' entrepreneurs," said Merrick Dean Murray Dalziel. "They all are ambitious and energetic, and they have great ideas and approaches that amaze those of us who have been in business for years. No matter how good you are at starting up or running a company, the 'Pitch Across Maryland' participants will inspire you. After all, our students are part of the future of our local economy and there's no better place than right here in the heart of entrepreneurial Baltimore to witness in action."