Little darling, it doesn’t have to be a long cold lonely winter. Here comes a roundup of opportunities to connect with your community (doo doo doo doo).

You can learn about startup marketing with the Howard County Economic Development Authority, become investor-ready with My NEXT Raise and see rising entrepreneurs pitch their innovations in Philly and Baltimore. And Pittsburgh is showing why it was named Technical.ly’s 2025 entrepreneur ecosystem of the year, with a ton of activity including the Pathways Robotics Fellowship Informational Session, 3 Rivers Venture Fair, Think!AI Summit and Robotics & Tech Happy Hour. These are the hottest in-person and virtual gatherings for valuable insights, resources and networking.

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.

Monday, February 2

  • My NEXT Raise Investor Office Hours with Blu Venture Investors — “Sign up to learn what investor ready means to Blu Venture Investors! Blu Ventures was founded in 2010 and has invested over $175M in 70+ companies. We are a partnership of 25 former C-level executives with experience in many industries. We focus on CyberSecurity, HealthTech, and B2B SaaS companies. We invest $100K – $1.25M in pre-seed to Series A rounds. We seek companies with significant traction that are post-production, post-revenue, and post-customer. There should be a path to $100K ARR with high growth projections.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
  • Corporate Governance & Ethics in The Age of AI — “Artificial intelligence systems have become increasingly embedded across compliance, human resources, finance, and creative domains, influencing who gets hired, approved, promoted, or heard. Join Eric Kim for a panel addressing how employers might identify, mitigate, and manage bias in technology-driven decision-making.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
Find more events on Technical.ly’s free community Slack

Tuesday, February 3

  • MIX: Sustaining Inclusive Growth Through Shifting Conditions — “Across sectors, the work toward equitable growth and inclusive communities is evolving. Policies shift. Funding priorities pivot. Even the language organizations use continues to change. This MIX creates space for a candid, cross-sector conversation about what’s next. We’re bringing together voices from Baltimore’s ecosystem to explore how we sustain inclusive growth in real time.” Hosted by the University of Maryland BioPark.

Wednesday, February 4

  • Arlington Business Resource Fair — “Join us for a FREE one-stop event designed to help small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs access the tools, guidance and connections they need to thrive. Connect, learn and grow with local organizations dedicated to your success.” Hosted by Arlington Economic Development.
  • My NEXT Raise Investor Office Hours with Sands Capital Ventures — “Sign up to learn what investor ready means to Sands Capital Ventures! Sands Capital invests in Series A and B funding rounds in the following industries: AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, healthcare technology. Check sizes range from $2m – $10m.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
  • My NEXT Raise Investor Office Hours with Citrine Angels —  “Sign up to learn what investor ready means to Citrine Angels! Citrine Angels is a seed stage angel investing group that invests in female founders/co-founders. Citrine is industry agnostic.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
  • 3 Rivers Venture Fair — “The 3 Rivers Venture Fair (3RVF) is Pittsburgh’s premier venture capital event, connecting high-growth startups with investors, corporate partners, and innovation leaders since 2002. This annual gathering serves as a launchpad for emerging companies in tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and beyond, offering curated pitch opportunities, expert insights, and high-impact networking.” Hosted by the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association with sponsorship from Morgan Lewis. Sessions also on February 5.

Thursday, February 5

  • Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Baltimore Forum — “Come join us in Baltimore, MD for our first CONNECTpreneur Forum of 2026! This event is set to be a smaller and more exclusive gathering, tailor-made for premium networking and connecting entrepreneurs with seasoned investors. With CONNECTpreneur’s track record of fostering valuable connections and driving investment opportunities, attendees can expect an unparalleled platform to fuel their business growth.” Hosted by CONNECTpreneur with partnership from NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and TEDCO.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Regional Economic Development — “In this talk, Mike Kerlin of McKinsey & Company explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping regional economies—and how leaders can harness its potential without deepening inequality. Drawing on McKinsey’s research and real-world examples, he examines where AI can drive productivity, job creation, and competitiveness, while also highlighting the policy, workforce, and investment choices needed to ensure growth is broadly shared. The session offers practical insights for civic leaders, educators, and economic development leaders seeking to ‘thread the needle’ between rapid innovation and inclusive regional prosperity.” Hosted by Temple University with media partnership from Technical.ly.
  • It’s Still All About AI — “Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, innovate, and deliver value. Join our Tech & Sourcing team as we dive into the legal, commercial, and strategic issues shaping AI adoption—from contracting and compliance to opportunities for growth and transformation. Don’t miss this session on what’s driving the next wave of change in tech and sourcing.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
  • Pathways Robotics Fellowship Informational Session — “Pathways is an immersive fellowship designed by the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute to support entrepreneurs in robotics, manufacturing, and automation through financial support, academic opportunities, mentorship, and supplemental resources. During the session, we’ll cover the fellowship experience, eligibility, and application process, while sharing how Pathways is intentionally designed to elevate founders who have faced barriers to entry in the robotics ecosystem. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with the Pathways community, and explore whether the fellowship is the right fit for you.” Hosted by the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute with partnership from InnovatePGH. 

Saturday, February 7

  • HBCUniverse Summit 2026 — “On Saturday, February 7, 2026, HBCUniverse Summit returns to Morgan State University’s Student Center for a powerful, future-focused gathering of HBCU innovators, builders, and believers. With the theme ‘Launchpad to Legacy,’ this year’s Summit is all about helping students and young professionals move from ideas to impact. Throughout the day, attendees will connect with founders, VCs, ecosystem builders, tech leaders, and creatives who are actively shaping what’s next for innovation.” Hosted by Morgan State University with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Tuesday, February 10

  • 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.
  • Cybersecurity in A World Where Reality Can Be Faked — “Join us on February 10 at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Artificial intelligence is reshaping not just how we protect data, but how we define truth itself. Deepfakes, cloned voices, and AI-generated content are blurring the line between what’s real and what’s fabricated. In this new landscape, cybersecurity isn’t only about preventing attacks—it’s about preserving trust, identity, and authenticity.” Hosted by the World Trade Center Institute with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Wednesday, February 11

Find more events on Technical.ly’s free community Slack

Thursday, February 12

  • Top Pitch CapCon Catalyst Series — “See five up-and-coming entrepreneurs pitch their innovations live to a panel of investors. Top Pitch brings together leading entrepreneurs and investors from the region and provides a space for investors and entrepreneurs to connect. Presenting companies – pre-selected from among PACT and TiE members – will make presentations to a panel of regional investors. The evening’s winning company is guaranteed a spot in the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference.” Hosted by PACT with partnership from Ben Franklin Technology Partners and Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs.
  • BRITE: Marketing 101 Series — “Define your audience, attract quality leads, and build a simple system to turn them into loyal customers. If you’re a founder or small business owner, chances are you’ve tried a little bit of everything when it comes to marketing—social posts, emails, ads—but you’re still not sure what’s working. That ends here. The BRITE Core: Marketing Series is a 3-part workshop that helps you stop chasing trends and start building a marketing system that fits your business. You’ll learn how to define your ideal customer, attract quality leads, and turn them into paying clients—all with simple tools you can use right away.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority. Sessions also on February 19 and 26.
  • My NEXT Raise Office Hours with Halycon Venture Partners — “Halcyon Venture Partners believes the most pressing challenges, from climate change to health inequities and systemic barriers to opportunity, represent the greatest opportunities for innovation, impact, and returns. Our thesis centers on the belief that impact and profitability are not mutually exclusive: businesses that solve critical global problems can achieve outsized financial performance when backed with the right capital, expertise, and networks. We address these issues by investing on average $250K–$500K in seed and pre-seed companies in the Climate, Health, and Equitytech verticals while actively supporting founders through the transition from pilot to commercial scale.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
  • Think!AI – A Beyond Big Data Summit 2026 — “​​Join 300+ technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and business leaders for a full day focused on artificial intelligence strategy, innovation, and real-world impact. Since 2015, our annual summit has evolved alongside the technology—from big data and automation to machine learning and generative AI — while staying grounded in what matters most: how intelligent systems are actually being deployed to improve operations, elevate customer and patient experiences, manage risk, and drive measurable growth across industries. For more than a decade, Think!AI has been Pittsburgh’s home for practical AI insight and innovation. This is not about theory or hype — it’s about execution and impact.” Hosted by Pittsburgh Technology Council with sponsorship from Morgan Lewis.

Wednesday, February 18

  • 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.
  • Tech Talks: How Pilots Can Drive Business and Innovation — “From Promise to Pilot – How Pilots Can Drive Business and Innovation will highlight best practices, common pitfalls, and real-world insights from leaders and startups with hands-on experience. The goal is to create meaningful dialogue and connections for those on both sides of procurement and innovation. The evening will conclude with a networking mixer designed to connect innovators, institutions, and procurement leaders.” Hosted by the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce.
  • PitchMasters Pitch Prep Workshop — “PitchMasters, powered by My NEXT RAISE, is a free workshop to help founders prepare for their investor pitch and is a core requirement to be ‘investor ready.’ Since PitchMasters creation, over 300 companies have presented their businesses to CEOs, advisors, business attorneys, and investors to gain valuable feedback. At this workshop-style event, companies seeking to become ‘pitch-perfect’ will present their investor decks to the group and receive feedback to help refine their pitch before they go in front of investors. This is a great opportunity for companies to get ready for that “ask.” Founders receive 4 minutes to pitch and 10 minutes of feedback.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.

Thursday, February 19

  • Maryland Student Venture Showcase — “Join us for the 2026 Maryland Student Venture Showcase, the premier annual event celebrating the strongest student-led ventures from across the region. This year’s showcase brings together exceptional student founders selected for the $50,000 Pava LaPere Innovation Awards, highlighting bold innovators building the future of Maryland’s economy. Student teams will present their ventures in front of investors, ecosystem leaders, and partners committed to fueling the next generation of Maryland companies. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with emerging talent, explore innovative solutions, and connect with leaders supporting student entrepreneurship across the state.” Hosted by UpSurge Baltimore with partnership from TEDCO and the University of Maryland BioPark.
  • 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.
  • Sales Summit 2026: Driving Revenue in A New Economy — “A half-day summit for small businesses to learn modern sales strategies, AI trends, and proven systems to grow revenue in a changing economy. The sales landscape is shifting faster than ever. AI is rewriting the way buyers make decisions, customer expectations are rising, and small businesses everywhere are navigating tighter markets, longer sales cycles, and heavier competition. The 2026 Sales Summit is open to all small business owners, with specialized value for innovative startups, government contractors, cybersecurity/IT providers, and professional service consultants.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.

Wednesday, February 25

Thursday, February 26

  • Quantum Applications for the Life Sciences — “Join us to explore how Maryland is setting the stage for groundbreaking advancements at the intersection of quantum and life sciences. Leaders from these fields will share their expert insights on how policy, computing, and sensing are driving the future of life sciences, right here in the ‘Capital of Quantum.’ Whether you’re deep in quantum research, working in life sciences, or simply interested learning more about quantum and life sciences, this is a chance to connect, learn, and see how Maryland’s unique ecosystem can propel your work forward.” Hosted by the University of Maryland BioPark.
  • Black Business Connect: Meet & Greet — “Connect with fellow business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders at this collaborative networking experience curated by the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) in partnership with the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce. This gathering is designed to create a safe space for relationship-building, knowledge-sharing, and access to resources that support the success of black-owned business.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
  • Robotics & Tech Happy Hour! — “Join us at Moonshot Museum for an evening of networking, innovation, and fun with the region’s top robotics and tech professionals. Whether you’re looking to learn about cutting-edge technology or simply connect with like-minded innovators, this event is the perfect space to spark new ideas and build valuable relationships.” Hosted by the Pittsburgh Robotics Network with media partnership from Technical.ly.

Friday, February 27

  • How to Raise Capital: The Legal Perspective — “An open session for founders to ask serial entrepreneur, venture capital partner, startup attorney, and Founder of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers Anthony Millin questions about how to successfully raise a round of capital and what you need to know from a legal perspective.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.

Saturday, February 28

  • The Black Business Bazaar Powered by HCEDA — “Join us at The Black Business Bazaar for a day of supporting local entrepreneurs and discovering unique products! In honor of Black History Month, the Black Business Bazaar is a vibrant marketplace experience designed to celebrate Black-owned businesses in the region with a spotlight on Howard County through visibility, commerce, and connection.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
  • Civic Hack DC 2025 – Part 2: Making Public Comments Count — “Join us for a hands-on, collaborative hackathon focused on improving public access to regulatory comment data from Regulations.gov. You’ll team up with technologists and policy experts to build open-source tools that make this data easier to analyze, explore, and reuse.” Hosted by Civic Tech DC with media partnership from Technical.ly.

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.

Find more events on Technical.ly’s free community Slack