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Grid Pitch

Empowering Student Innovators

Grid Pitch is a mentorship-forward innovation program that pairs aspiring student entrepreneurs with expert mentors, connects them to industry leaders and investors, and helps accelerate their projects through strategic feedback and funding. Student teams work closely with mentors to refine their ideas and strengthen their pitches.

After six weeks of mentorship and pitch development, about a dozen student teams will pitch their ideas to a live audience of mentors, entrepreneurs, and community supporters.

Next year, we celebrate ten years of innovation, empowerment, and mentorship with the tenth anniversary of the Grid Pitch.

Save the date: April 22, 2027, for the tenth anniversary of the Grid Pitch

    The Grid’s Impact on Entrepreneurship

    80

    Projects or ventures supported by Grid Pitch

    40

    Mentors who have shepherded student entrepreneurs through the pitch process

    $200,000

    Funding awarded to student entrepreneurs through Grid Pitch

    Choose a Participation Tier: Vision or Venture

    Vision Tier

    • For aspiring or current students who have an idea to change the world but have not yet begun the implementation journey. 
    • Open to all current and aspiring University of Maryland, Baltimore students. Each team must have at least one current or aspiring UMB student.
    • Each team member must participate in the proposed business idea.

    Venture Tier

    • For aspiring or current UMB students who have a fleshed-out idea and have begun the implementation journey.
    • 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.
    • Open to all current and aspiring University of Maryland, Baltimore students. Each team must have at least one current or aspiring UMB student.
    • Each team member must participate in the proposed business idea.

    Featured Grid Pitch

    ESTHER: Christopher Tong, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

    ESTHER is a privacy-focused home monitoring system for older adults that uses thermal imaging and environmental sensors to detect falls and other safety risks without cameras or wearable devices. Inspired by Tong’s grandmother, the system is designed to help older adults age independently while preserving dignity and privacy.

    Meet the 2026 Grid Pitch Participants

    For many of the students gathered inside the Grid, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) hub for student entrepreneurship, Grid Pitch was about more than presenting a business idea — it was about solving problems they had experienced personally.

    Read the UMB News feature on the 2026 Grid Pitch participants.

    Mentorship

    Grid Pitch participants leverage personalized mentorship from industry and community leaders. This one-on-one guidance provides critical support to refine ideas and strategy.

    Workshops

    Small group workshops led by entrepreneurs and business leaders strengthen the entrepreneurship skills of participants.

    Personal Impact

    Grow from concept to prototype to pitch-ready vision. Expand your confidence and professional trajectory.

    Featured Articles

    Check Out Grid Pitch 2025

    "It's great to have a mentor who has experience with creating a startup. His connections will help us to develop our pitch idea further."
    Ethan YanBaltimore VR Health Hub

    620 W. Lexington St.
    Baltimore, MD 21201
    (410) 706-3100

    University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies. All Rights Reserved.