Freshen up your April with these 33 tech community events

Spring is finally here, change is in the air and new growth is all around — including in your local tech community — so open those windows and reconnect with the world outside your walls.

If your career and business need a breath of fresh air, April has plenty of opportunities to help you find new ways to develop your skills and expand your network. You can learn about AI with the Tech Council of Delaware, hear startup pitches with Arlington Economic Development, explore local maker creations with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and join a national security hackathon in DC.

You’ll also find opportunities to connect with investors, stay up on the latest industry trends and celebrate with your peers. 

Check out the links below, and for more local tech community events (or to promote your own), visit the #events channel in Technical.ly’s free community Slack.

Wednesday, April 1

• Keeping Delaware Competitive in the Age of AI: Jobs, Skills, and the Talent Pipeline — “Delaware ranks #2 in the nation for AI job demand. The question is: is our talent pipeline keeping up? Join us on April 1st at 12pm for a virtual lunch and learn with our partners at Lightcast, featuring Elena Magrini, Lightcast’s Head of Global Research, and Tech Council CEO Joshua Berkow for a data-driven conversation on how AI is already reshaping Delaware’s job market — and what employers, training providers, and tech professionals need to do to stay ahead.” Hosted by Tech Council of Delaware.

Thursday, April 2

• AI and Antitrust 101 — “Partner Minna Lo Naranjo will be speaking during the upcoming webinar AI and Antitrust 101, a CLE program hosted by the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Antitrust and Business Regulation Section. Minna’s program will include a breakdown of federal antitrust principles, an overview of key litigation focused on algorithmic pricing, and key legislation affecting algorithmic pricing tools.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.

Tuesday, April 7

• HoCo Higher Accelerator: Fast Track — “This 10-week cohort program supports idea-stage and early-stage founders earning $0–$150K in annual revenue. Through expert-led workshops, hands-on activities, and weekly progress-building, you’ll learn how to lay the foundation for a business that can grow.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
• MIX: Climate Is a Health Issue: How Environmental Change Is Shaping Public Health — “Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a public health issue. From extreme heat and air quality to flooding, housing conditions, and food systems, environmental changes are already affecting the health and wellbeing of Baltimore communities. This session explores how researchers, healthcare leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and community advocates are working to address the health impacts of climate change while building more resilient systems.” Hosted by the University of Maryland BioPark.

Wednesday, April 8

• Enterprise Sherpas Series: Fireside Chats for Founders: Corporate Venture 101 with David Horowitz — “This event kicks of a series of Founder Fireside chats with “Enterprise Sherpas” – leaders with local ties, global reach, and serial success leading, exiting, and investing in enterprise tech. Each has deep and unique insights into enterprise world, including what’s changing and evergreen in AI’s disruption. Designed for MVP and growth-stage+ tech founders, these fireside chats will spark insights, conversation, and action to help you raise your own trajectory, while building a tighter local community of founders.” Hosted by Philly Builds AI with sponsorship from Ben Franklin Technology Partners.
• vcIQ: Cybersecurity Founder Session — “vcIQ Founder Sessions is a curated, small-group conversation series designed to give founders direct access to leading venture investors in specific sectors. Each session brings together 2–3 active investors and a room of 15–20 founders for an interactive off-the-record discussion focused on how capital actually moves within the category.” Hosted by VC in DC with partnership from Arlington Economic Development.
• BRITE: Finance 101 Series — “A 3-part finance series that helps small business owners understand their numbers, protect their cash, and make stronger growth decisions.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority. Sessions also on April 15 and 22.
• Philadelphia Tech & Sourcing Summit 2026 — “Morgan Lewis is hosting Innovation and Transformation: Balancing Opportunity, Risk & Resilience, an in-person program bringing together legal, business, and client perspectives on navigating innovation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex environment.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
• Protecting the Borderless Workplace: Global Trends in Noncompete, Confidentiality, and Restrictive Covenant Practices — “Job markets and industry movements continue to shift globally, prompting employers to update employment contracts to reflect evolving requirements. Join us as we discuss the similarities and differences in current noncompete, confidentiality, and restrictive covenant trends around the world.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.

Thursday, April 9

• The Future of Digital Health: Trends and Innovations — “Digital health is transforming how care is delivered, managed, and experienced. Join our Tech & Sourcing team as we explore the innovations driving this evolution—from AI and connected devices to data governance and regulatory developments. Discover the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of healthcare in an increasingly digital world.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.

Saturday, April 11

• MorganHacks 2026 — “Morgan State University’s hackathon — two days of building, creating, and innovating big ideas.” Hosted by Morgan State University with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Sunday, April 12

• ICBI40 – InBIA’s 40th International Conference on Business Innovation — “InBIA is excited to hold it’s 40th annual conference – ICBI40 – in Chicago, Illinois, April 12-15, 2026! This event will bring together entrepreneur support and ecosystem building practitioners from all over the world to exchange effective strategies and approaches, brainstorm solutions to common challenges, make lasting professional connections and explore the Chicago ecosystem.” Hosted by InBIA with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Monday, April 13

• AI on the Job: Real Talk from Senior Engineers — “Wondering what AI actually looks like in a senior engineer’s day-to-day — not the hype, but the reality? We’re partnering with Nerdery for an honest conversation with two senior full-stack engineers on the front lines of AI-assisted development. They’ll share how AI is changing the way they work, what skills matter most in an AI-assisted world, and what it all means for the next generation of tech talent breaking into the field.” Hosted by Tech Council of Delaware.

Tuesday, April 14

• Data Center Bytes: Financing the Future: Investment, M&A and PE Considerations —  “Join us for the next chapter in the Data Center Bytes webinar series, an insightful discussion of the critical opportunities and challenges shaping the data center landscape. Whether you are a developer, operator, financier, or industry stakeholder, these sessions will offer invaluable perspectives to help with navigating complex legal frameworks and emerging industry trends.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
• Technology M&A: Cutting-Edge Issues and Recent Trends in the Technology Sector — “In this session, partner Nancy Yamaguchi and of counsel Jason Capps will provide a summary of significant issues and recent trends in M&A in the technology sector. They will also discuss structuring and diligence considerations, risk identification and mitigation, and deal planning approaches.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
• TEDCO’s DefTech Monthly Office Hours — ““Come to the office hours to discuss how DefTech can support your business by leveraging cutting-edge technology, facilities, equipment, and expertise found in the Maryland Department of Defense Labs.” Hosted by TEDCO.

Wednesday, April 15

• AI Usage Best Practices and Board Fiduciary Duties — “Join our panelists in examining how boards can incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into their decision-making processes while remaining fully aligned with fiduciary responsibilities. The session will address best practices for educating directors on AI usage, including the use of AI-generated summaries of pre-read materials, while ensuring that the duty to be informed and effective board oversight remain central. Participants will gain practical insights into governance considerations, risk management, and the thoughtful integration of AI into board processes.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
• TEDCO’s Venture Development Open Forum — “Join TEDCO’s Venture Development team for a monthly Open Forum — a recurring lunchtime discussion designed to keep Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem connected, informed, and empowered. Held every third Wednesday at 12 PM, we’ll highlight the tools, services, and funding offered through Venture Development to help early-stage tech companies and founders thrive. Whether you’re a first-time founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or a support organization, this is your space to ask questions, gain insights, and connect with TEDCO’s Venture Development experts.” Hosted by TEDCO.

Thursday, April 16

• Borrowing for Small Businesses — “In this course, you’ll learn why businesses borrow, where to turn for funding, and how the lending process works to get you to a smoother, smarter, and often more successful outcome. We’ll also provide valuable take-away resources to help you and your business.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
• TEDCO’s BRIDGE Program Open Forum — “Come to the Open Forum to learn more about TEDCO’s BRIDGE program and how it connects you to advisory services, access to capital, and region-wide resources to help grow and scale your business.” Hosted by TEDCO.
• TEDCO’s Informational Session: Equitech Growth Fund — “Join TEDCO for an informative lunchtime webinar to learn more about TEDCO’s Equitech Growth Fund, a funding opportunity designed to support innovative workforce development and infrastructure efforts across the state.” Hosted by TEDCO.

Friday, April 17

• Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon — “Join 100+ engineers, builders, and operators for the DC National Security Hackathon on April 17–19, 2026 in the nations capital. Goal: Bring together builders, government stakeholders, and investors to work on real-world national security challenges. This is about moving from ideas to prototypes to real deployment pathways.” Hosted by Critical Ops with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Sunday, April 19

• Philly Maker Faire — “Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these ‘makers’ to show hobbies, experiments, projects.” Hosted by Make: with sponsorship from Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

Monday, April 20

• CCHE: Data and Hardware Resources Workshop (Session One) — “The Center for Climate and Health Entrepreneurship (CCHE) at the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies is hosting two drop-in feedback sessions to learn what kinds of data and hardware resources would be most useful to early-stage ventures. Based on the Center’s initial research, we have developed early prototypes for resources such as climate models, health simulations, and specialized testing or manufacturing equipment. Participants are invited to stop by, review these ideas, share feedback on which resources would be most valuable, share what’s missing, and engage with facilitators and peers.” Hosted by The Center for Climate and Health Entrepreneurship (CCHE) at the University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies and the University of Maryland BioPark.

Tuesday, April 21

• 2026 BizLaunch PitchFest — “Calling all innovators and business enthusiasts! Join us for the BizLaunch PitchFest on April 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., hosted at Amazon HQ2. Participants in the BizLaunch Transformational Challenge have been working for three months, developing their business idea, projecting their financials and developing a pitch presentation to compete for a grand cash prize of $25,000.” Hosted by Arlington Economic Development.

Wednesday, April 22

• Change Readiness as a Competitive Advantage — “Change is constant in technology organizations—but people aren’t wired to adapt as quickly as systems evolve. As teams navigate AI adoption, rapid growth, restructuring, and shifting ways of working, leadership effectiveness increasingly depends on understanding how humans actually respond to change.” Hosted by Tech Council of Delaware.
• Innovate South — “Where Gulf South innovators come for the talks and stay for the connections. Three days of intentional connections, innovation-focused talks, and a live pitch showdown — Downtown Lafayette.” Hosted by Lafayette Economic Development Authority with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Thursday, April 23

• VC Village – Spring Edition — “Join us for the 4th VC Village event to ignite venture growth in Greater Philadelphia, hosted with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Along with strengthening the local Philly ecosystem, we’re also teaming up with partners in Boston, Austin, NYC, and Phoenix to expand access to deal flow and investment opportunities across regions. We’re excited to support an ecosystem that leverages Philadelphia’s strengths and opens new doors for VCs here.” Hosted by VC Village and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

Saturday, April 26

• 2026 MEDA Annual Conference — “Economic development can feel like a maze—full of turns, detours, and emerging pathways. From new tools like AI to evolving expectations around housing, workforce, and quality of place, the work is increasingly complex. But within the maze lies opportunity. MEDA’s 2026 Annual Conference will guide practitioners through the intersections of strategy, technology, community, and industry, helping them chart a smarter, more impactful course. It’s not just a maze—it’s A-MAZING work.” Hosted by Maryland Economic Development Association with sponsorship from TEDCO.

Wednesday, April 29

• TEDCO’s Investment Open Forum — “Come to the Open Forum to discuss topics related to venture capital investing and learn more about the TEDCO Investment Funds.” Hosted by TEDCO.

Thursday, April 30

• Protecting Your Edge: A Founder’s Guide to Smart IP — “You’ve got a breakthrough innovation. The last thing you need is an intellectual property misstep costing you deals, investors, or time to market. IP isn’t just paperwork. It’s a competitive asset, a fundraising lever, and a line of defense—so the earlier you get it right, the better. In the first session of our new Medtech Builder Series, we’re cutting through the complexity to give you a clear, actionable framework for protecting what you’ve built.” Hosted by the University City Science Center.
• Going Global: Top-of-Mind Issues When Negotiating Distribution Agreements — “Our team will provide an overview of global distribution agreements and discuss current issues and key contractual provisions for suppliers and distributors to consider in navigating and negotiating global business deals. From territory and exclusivity to compliance and intellectual property protection, get practical tips to help your business expand globally with confidence.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
• Life Sciences PA Tailgate250 — “Join us April 30, 2026 in the heart of Philadelphia and at life sciences hub, The Lawn @uCity Square, for food trucks, games, live music, and networking with other life sciences professionals.” Hosted by Life Sciences PA with sponsorship from Morgan Lewis.

Looking to get out more in your local tech community? Explore the #events channel in Technical.ly’s free community Slack to find opportunities to connect.

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