WORCESTER COUNTY—The Eastern Shore is scheduled to be one of the first stops on a second annual statewide tour to find entrepreneurs in need of startup assistance, Worcester County Economic Development Director Bill Badger said last week. 

The goal of the tour’s “Pitch Across America 2.0” events is to promote and celebrate entrepreneurship in Maryland by launching a Startup Maryland tour and celebration, he said.

Badger, who said he has been in economic development for more than 30 years, advocated among tour organizers to schedule a stop in the Ocean City area. The tour is scheduled to stop downtown at the inlet on Sept. 9. Officials are seeking participants and confirming exact locations.

Badger said the county’s economic future lies in its ability to attract entrepreneurs, especially those in the technical fields. He described the startup tour as a way to give local entrepreneurs exposure to business executives and local officials who can help them launch their business ideas.

According to the organization’s Web site, www.startupmd.org, at each stop on the tour organizers will host rallies and share information about available entrepreneurial resources. “Additionally, entrepreneurs are provided coaching, guidance and support from business mentors and other leaders from TEDCO, DBED as well as active angel/VC [venture capital] investors,” it said.

“The entrepreneurs climb onto the bus and pitch their idea/business in the mobile UpStart Show video studio. Videos are uploaded to YouTube and then open to public viewing/voting,” it said.

The organizers said the video aspect of the competition would allow the entrepreneurs, sponsors and tour hosts to activate social networks for even broader awareness and celebration.

Badger said would-be entrepreneurs who are interested in participating in the event should be prepared to make a five-minute presentation on their business plan and the amount of funding needed for startup. He anticipated the local event will be able to accommodate five presentations.

Presentations could include traditional industries like agriculture and tourism, or new companies in the technical fields of science, technology, engineering and math, Badger said.

For information, call 410-632-3112.