Washington, DC- UMBC Technology Center companies Accelics and Epitaxial Technologies were among a select group of nine firms chosen to present at the prestigious Early Stage Capital Forum on Jan. 31 in Washington, DC.

The Forum, sponsored by high technology councils of Greater Baltimore, Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, is a highly competitive chance for incubator and emerging tech firms to connect with venture capital (VC) funding while making valuable networking connections. Teams from each company had just eight minutes to make a pitch to regional VC investors in front of an audience of nearly 300.

Accelics, whose modeling software helps chemical and pharmaceutical companies with research and development, was the last presenter of the day. "It went really well," said Accelics President Brian Southern. "The morning sessions on what to expect from service providers like law, accounting, finance and PR firms were also very helpful."

Epitaxial Technologies, LLC, 1998 winner of the National Business Incubation Association's Incubator Microenterprise Client of the Year, was also pleased to make the cut. Epitaxial president Leye Aina said, "We couldn't be happier. It was a very useful, targeted and select group of attendees." Epitaxial Technologies specializes in supplying component producers for the fibers optics and wireless markets.

134 companies submitted business plans to the 12-member selection panel. From that group, just 11 received invitations to present and only nine accepted.