Grid Pitch

Grid Pitch empowers student innovators with tailored mentorship, real-world connections, and funding opportunities to turn ideas into impact.

Join a mentorship-forward innovation program designed for student entrepreneurs ready to grow their ideas. Grid Pitch invites aspiring student entrepreneurs to build alongside expert mentors, connect with industry leaders and investors, and accelerate their projects through strategic feedback and funding. Whether you’re exploring your first idea or scaling your startup, Grid Pitch offers the guidance and network to help you move forward. The experience culminates in a public pitch event on April 23 — the showcase is the outcome; mentorship is the foundation.

Applications are due on Feb. 4.

The Grid Pitch Showcase is Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m.

Mentorship First

✔ Personalized mentorship from industry and community leaders
✔ One-on-one guidance to refine your idea and strategy

Support, Not Just Access

Build your network with real advisers and collaborators

Get feedback that matters before your pitch event

Develop skills in pitching, business modeling, and design thinking

Impact for the Individual

Grow from concept → to prototype → to pitch-ready vision

Expand your confidence and professional trajectory

Join a community of innovators across disciplines

Grid Pitch will have two participation tiers: Vision and Venture. Both tiers are open to all current and aspiring University of Maryland, Baltimore students. Each team must have at least one (1) current or aspiring UMB student. Each team member must participate in the proposed business idea.

Vision Tier

For aspiring or current students who have an idea to change the world, but have not yet begun the journey of implementation.

Venture Tier

For aspiring or current UMB students who have an idea that is fleshed out and have begun the journey of implementation. Applicants for the Venture tier can have an established business.

The proposed idea should be in the innovation, healthcare, biotech, life science, health tech, public health, health tech or social entrepreneurship fields.
Teams that have acquired over $100,000 in gross revenue from operations to date resulting from the sales of products and/or services may not be eligible.

Applications close: Feb. 4 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST

All accepted applicants will be required to submit team bios and headshots, a rough draft of pitch to be submitted the week prior to the Grid Pitch Showcase on April 23. Additionally, all participants will be required to submit a recorded version of the pitch by May 1.
Grid Pitch Showcase: Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 601 W. Lombard St., 3rd floor in the Grid.

Other mandatory meetings, events, and workshops will be scheduled during the semester.