Fall is here, which means the annual return of pumpkin-spiced everything. Whether or not you enjoy the season’s unofficial seasoning, the tech community is getting spicy too, with a jam-packed month of in-person and virtual gatherings full of tricks and treats for your company and career.

There’s everything from innovation competitions to cybersecurity conferences to investor meet-and-greets, so no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in this roundup. October is home to some of the most anticipated gatherings of the year, including DC Startup & Tech Week and TEDCO’s 2025 Entrepreneur Expo. And if you happen to be in Las Vegas for HLTH 2025, be sure to say hi to the team from the University City Science Center.

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, October 6

Tuesday, October 7

  • BizArt: Where Creativity Meets Commerce — “Join BizLaunch and Arlington Arts for BizArt, an electrifying event that bridges the gap between local artists and small business owners. Discover how creative collaboration can spark innovation, elevate branding and transform community spaces. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking fresh inspiration or an artist ready to expand your reach, BizArt is your gateway to powerful partnerships.” Hosted by Arlington Economic Development.
  • Lessons Learned: Mental Health of Entrepreneurs – Mentor Connect — “Join us for a great event with the Mentor Connect Community to discuss Mental Health and how it affects Entrepreneurs. Hear from other mentees and mentors on this topic.” Hosted by PACT and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.
  • Pitch and Mingle Series: The Great Pumpkin Pitch — “Join us at the Maryland Innovation Center for an exhilarating pitch competition spotlighting the community’s most promising entrepreneurs and startup companies. With over $5,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, this is your chance to witness innovation at its finest and support local talent.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority with sponsorship from TEDCO.
  • My NEXT Raise Office Hours with Skull Diamond Heart Capital — “Sign up to learn what investor ready means to Skull Diamond Heart Capital! SDH Capital is more than just a venture capital firm; we are architects of the future. Founded in 2020 in Rochester, NY, our mission is to empower the brightest minds in the FoodTech and AgriTech sectors. We believe in the power of innovation to transform the world, and our goal is to nurture and scale the ideas that will lead this change.  Our philosophy is rooted in partnership and growth.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
  • Understanding Your Data Room with Daxe — “Join us for an interactive “Ask Me Anything” webinar with DAXE founder Erika Bahr. She’ll share information about how the DAXE’s AI powered data room can help you streamline how you manage your sensitive business information during your fundraise. Bring your questions and walk away with clarity on how to make the most of this valuable resource.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
Find more events on Technical.ly’s free community Slack

Wednesday, October 8

  • Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week — “Join TLC and 1Philadelphia to celebrate all of the organizations and people who are working to advance digital equity and tech equity in Greater Philadelphia! Digital Inclusion Week (Oct 6th-10th) is an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital equity and the vital importance of inclusion in our increasingly digital world. We’ll celebrate over food and drink at this reception on October 8th, and then continue the conversation the next day at TLC’s annual conference on October 9th.” Hosted by Technology Learning Collaborative and 1Philadelphia.
  • Brunch on the Boulevard — “Join us for Brunch on the Boulevard! Come enjoy the best local food and beverage offerings Langston has to offer. This networking event will bring together Arlington’s vibrant community of current and aspiring business owners.” Hosted by Arlington Economic Development.
  • Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing — “Please join us for the next installment of our What We’re Seeing webinar series, featuring updates on hot topics and trends, designed for individuals operating in the employee benefits space.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
  • My NEXT Raise Investor Office Hours with Ringbolt Capital — “Sign up to learn what investor ready means to Ringbolt Capital! Ringbolt Capital is a B2B enterprise software focused firm  investing in companies with $1M+ in ARR, with a focus on Data/Analytics, AI/ML, and future of work. We will lead rounds and follow on. If we lead, our check size is $1M-$2M, if we follow on it is $250K-$750K.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.
  • Safety at Scale: How to Dox-Proof Your Team, Brand, and Wealth — “As a startup founder, investor, or advisor, your name, network, and online presence are your greatest assets—and your most overlooked vulnerabilities. In an era of heightened political polarization, AI-fueled misinformation, and rampant data harvesting, your personal information is being scraped, sold, and weaponized in ways that put your safety, credibility, and capital at risk. This 60 minute webinar breaks down how threats like doxxing and data broker exposure are escalating, what that means for investors and founders – from seed stage to IPO – and what you can do right now to start minimizing your digital footprint. You’ll leave with a few actionable steps—but more importantly, you’ll understand why now is the time, and where to prioritize your actions.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.

Thursday, October 9

  • Uniting Women in Cyber (UWIC) 2025 — “Your Uniting Women in Cyber (UWIC) event convenes a powerful and expansive network of cyber leaders and experts to discuss emerging global trends, technological advancements, and workforce development. UWIC is the premier event for leaders, professionals and all who are interested in cybersecurity, to meet and network with national leaders in the field.” Hosted by The Cyber Guild with sponsorship from Arlington Economic Development.

Tuesday, October 14

Wednesday, October 15

  • Maryland Innovation Center Virtual Open House — “Are you a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur looking for the right support to grow your startup? Join us for the Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) Virtual Open House—a monthly opportunity to explore how MIC empowers early-stage companies through mentorship, funding readiness, coworking space, and a strong network of partners.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
  • BRITE: Marketing 101 Series — “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 October 22 and 29.
  • 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.
  • Key Trends in AI Commercial Contracting and Outsourcing Agreements — “Please join us for a discussion around cutting-edge issues in the negotiation of contracts between customers and providers of artificial intelligence tools and services. Topics include deal structures, data usage rights, and the latest in agentic AI.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
  • 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 “investory 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, October 16

  • Business Finance Basics — “Join us for Business finance basics, part of the Bank on your success program at Truist. This interactive session will show you how to build, manage, and protect your business for years to come. In this course, you’ll learn key elements of business finance basics to manage your cash flow, explore ways to expand your business, hire employees, and understand insurance for your business. We’ll also provide valuable take-away resources to help you and your business.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
  • AI Investments and Financing Vehicles — “Our lawyers will discuss the venture capital and emerging company landscape in the race to construct and optimize artificial intelligence. They will cover deal structures, resource challenges, and the current technology frontier.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
Find more events on Technical.ly’s free community Slack

Monday, October 20 – Friday, October 24

Monday, October 20

  • Science Center Happy Hour @ HLTH 2025 — “Join us for Drinks, Conversations, and Connections @ HLTH Unwind with innovators, investors, and thought leaders shaping the future of healthcare. Whether you’re leading a startup, investing in the next generation or healthcare solutions, or an industry leader, this is your chance to connect and recharge after a busy day on the show floor.” Hosted by University City Science Center.

Tuesday, October 21

  • TEDCO’s 2025 Entrepreneur Expo — ”TEDCO’s 11th Entrepreneur Expo will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at The Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. The Expo is a premier event in Maryland showcasing various resources from across the State and is jam-packed full of workshops, roundtable discussions, exhibiting companies and pitches, opening up great opportunities for entrepreneurs to network, learn, and be inspired. Join us for a day of celebration where you can expect to see 1000+ of the region’s top entrepreneurs, business owners, angel and venture capital investors, legislators, and influencers.” Hosted by TEDCO.
  • 2025 INTA North America Roundtable – After the Hype: Practical Applications of AI — “Morgan Lewis will host the International Trademark Association’s (INTA’s) 2025 North America Roundtable (NART) on Tuesday, October 21, from 2:00–4:00 pm ET. IP of counsel Griffin Barnett and associates Amber Grant and Katya Wagstaff will facilitate the roundtable, which will discuss practical applications of artificial intelligence.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.

Wednesday, October 22

  • Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future — “Join us for a special Hispanic Heritage Month celebration that honors the vibrant cultures, stories, and entrepreneurial spirit of Hispanic small business owners in our community. This year’s theme, ’Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,’  invites us to reflect on our roots while celebrating the innovation and leadership shaping Arlington’s future.” Hosted by Arlington Economic Development.

Thursday, October 23

  • HCEDA Business Resource Expo — “Join us at the Business Resource Expo (BRE) for direct access to top representatives from Howard County agencies and departments—plus other organizations ready to help your business thrive.” Hosted by Howard County Economic Development Authority.
  • Maryland Technology Internship Program Hiring Event — “We’d like to invite 1 to 2 representatives from your organization to attend the MTIP Hiring Event on Thursday, October 23rd from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm in the 4MLK This will be an opportunity to meet potential spring 2026 and summer 2026 interns. Attending employers should apply for MTIP funding for spring and summer 2026 and should have their open positions promoted on Handshake and/or the MTIP Website prior to the event.” Hosted by MTIP at the University of Maryland BioPark.
  • Tech Thursdays Autumn Mixer — “Attend the last Tech Thursdays of the year & enjoy a cool Fall evening with Delaware’s tech community at Grain Exchange on the STAR Campus!” Hosted by Tech Council of Delaware.

Saturday, October 25

  • Philadelphia Open Innovation Tournament — “The Philadelphia Open Innovation Tournament is inspired by the framework developed by Profs. Karl Ulrich and Christian Terwiesch at UPenn. It brings together diverse minds to solve real-world challenges through friendly competition. Join us in this exhilarating journey of innovation and impact. Be part of shaping Philadelphia’s future!” Hosted by Medusa Intelligence Corporation with sponsorship and partnership from Ben Franklin Technology Partners and 1Philadelphia.

Tuesday, October 28

Wednesday, October 29

  • 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference — “The Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference will return on October 29-30, 2025 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Connect with key players from the private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurial communities in a city with a 350-year legacy of innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship for a vibrant mix of company presentations from 60+ up-and-coming technology, healthcare, and growth-stage companies, tons of networking, business meetings, and panel discussions.” Hosted by PACT with sponsorship from Morgan Lewis, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, J.P. Morgan, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
  • Selling U.S. Services Internationally — “The U.S. leads the world in service exports. Services have proven to be catalytic to the economy in terms of economic growth, increased competition, innovation and job creation. The U.S. Service Industry accounts for 68% of GDP. In 2023, U.S. services exports topped $1 trillion, and the U.S. services trade surplus was $278 billion. Join the U.S. Commercial Service-VA & D.C., Arlington Economic Development, and Virginia/D.C. District Export Council to learn about the ins and outs of selling U.S. services internationally.” Hosted by Arlington Economic Development.
  • TEDCO’s Investment Open Forum — “During this informative meeting, you’ll have the chance to hear from our investment team and ask any questions you may have regarding the investment process.” Hosted by TEDCO.
  • WIB-Capital Region, Wexford ConnectLabs, & SECOM: Baltimore Lab Tour & Networking Event — “Discover the future of biotech and life sciences in our region! See firsthand how innovation and collaboration are driving breakthroughs as you tour Wexford’s state-of-the-art labs and fully furnished, secure office spaces built for high-growth life science companies. Gain insider insights on advancing biotech and life sciences from industry experts, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with great food and beverages.” Hosted by Women in Bio at the University of Maryland BioPark.
  • Tech & Sourcing New York Summit 2025 – Navigating the Global Landscape Through Innovation — “Join us for our 4th annual Tech & Sourcing Summit during which our lawyers and other industry leaders will discuss top-of-mind issues impacting technology and outsourcing transactions globally. We will focus on the current challenges and opportunities affecting the implementation and provision of cross-border services and global solutions.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
  • AI in the Crosshairs: Regulation, Litigation, and the Road Ahead — “Join us for a discussion on the uncertain landscape of artificial intelligence regulation at the state and federal levels.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.
  • AI is Here: Being Proactive, Not Reactive — “As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly becomes part of our everyday life, come hear from senior in-house leaders on how they are adopting AI to help their clients succeed while also managing the risks of developing technology. These leaders will discuss how embracing this perspective while using diverse leadership skills can help all lawyers provide more effective guidance to their clients.” Hosted by Morgan Lewis.

Thursday, October 30

  • Connect Labs Baltimore Open House — “Join us at Connect Labs Baltimore for an opportunity to explore our coworking and lab space designed to support entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators across life sciences, biotech, and beyond.” Hosted by Connect Labs by Wexford – Baltimore at the University of Maryland BioPark.

Friday, October 31

  • 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.
  • My NEXT Raise Office Hours with Revolution — “Sign up to learn what investor ready means to Revolution! Revolution invests in Pre-Series A through Series B with initial check sizes ranging from $3M – $12M in the following industries: Real Estate Tech; Consumer / Marketplace; Fintech / Insuretech; Software.” Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers and My NEXT Raise.

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