ACTiVATE is a systematic model for increasing the commercialization of technology innovations from research institutions in the State of Maryland by training women entrepreneurs to create technology-based, start-up companies.

The Maryland business community needs more well-trained, experienced entrepreneurs.

Universities in Maryland spend about $1.5 Billion in research annually; and Maryland was ranked 10th in the nation in 2000. However, Maryland ranked 29th nationally in the same year for the number of start-up companies created based on technology innovations arising out of this research.

Universities in Maryland generate an average of 500 invention disclosures each year. From these disclosures, only 12 start-up companies on average are formed per year. To solve this growing problem, ACTiVATE aims to attract experienced entrepreneurs from other states and develop entrepreneurs from Maryland's talent pool.

It is widely known that experience is a critical factor for the success of new ventures. ACTiVATE will provide the necessary experience in two ways: through an experience-by-doing approach to training, using real technologies from Maryland's research institutions, and by providing experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence and mentors to the trainees as coaches.

Phase I: Opportunity Analysis (Approx. 16-20 weeks)