Towson University Incubator’s edtech showcase gets teachers and startups in the same room

Baltimore has a legacy in edtech that’s led to influential companies and notable deals. It also means there’s a foundation providing support for new companies to grow.
Over the last several years, Towson University Incubator has emerged as one such gathering point. Across residential and virtual programs, more than 80 percent – or about 30 – of the business incubator’s group of startup members are working in edtech, said David Cross, TU assistant director of entrepreneurship. It provides a place where founders can learn from each other, but also has outward-facing benefits.
With the concentration of edtech startups, it makes TU a landing point where the potential users can  find out more about the latest that Baltimore companies are developing. That’s why TU Incubator’s Edtech Innovation Showcase event is targeted toward teachers, administrators and other educators, as well as the tech community.
“The Showcase is a way to bring our members and educators together to highlight what is being developed in the region,” Cross said. “The educators and administrators get to see new products and services. Our member companies get great feedback from potential customers and maybe the opportunity to sell or develop pilot projects.”

On October 4 @TUincubator is hosting the third iteration of Edtech Innovation Showcase, featuring networking, product demos, and lightning presentations from leading edtech entrepreneurs. Register 👉👉 https://t.co/fG1h9HvQtI #TUEdTechShowcase pic.twitter.com/wm1uQPwb8p

— Towson StarTUp (@TowsonStarTUp) September 22, 2018

Held at the university’s West Village Commons from 5:30-8 p.m. on October 4, the event will feature pitches from 10 startup founders, and another dozen or so will be onhand for demos. Some of the companies stretch beyond the incubator’s membership. The startups represent areas of focus including tools for teachers, language and literacy, test prep and new approaches that bring new approaches to the classroom. Last year, the event drew 150 attendees from higher education, K-12 schools and the ed tech community.
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