Cyber Howard Accelerator
Cyber · Run by Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) · MD
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Sep 28, 2026- Terms model
- Not publishedTwelve-week accelerator for early-stage cybersecurity companies led by the Howard County Economic Development Authority in Maryland, with six to eight companies per cohort supported by a dedicated entrepreneur-in-residence and mentors in cybersecurity, sales and funding. The program pages publish no investment, equity or fee terms. Applicants must be U.S.-based companies with their own cybersecurity product (software or hardware), or a demonstrable prototype with market research and a go-to-market timeline, and must commit to at least 11 of the 12 weekly three-hour meetings. Graduates can continue at the Maryland Innovation Center. Cohort Four is the current cohort; its applications are closed, and applications are accepted now for the next cohort, anticipated to begin in early spring 2027.
- Investment
- Not publishedTwelve-week accelerator for early-stage cybersecurity companies led by the Howard County Economic Development Authority in Maryland, with six to eight companies per cohort supported by a dedicated entrepreneur-in-residence and mentors in cybersecurity, sales and funding. The program pages publish no investment, equity or fee terms. Applicants must be U.S.-based companies with their own cybersecurity product (software or hardware), or a demonstrable prototype with market research and a go-to-market timeline, and must commit to at least 11 of the 12 weekly three-hour meetings. Graduates can continue at the Maryland Innovation Center. Cohort Four is the current cohort; its applications are closed, and applications are accepted now for the next cohort, anticipated to begin in early spring 2027.
- Equity taken
- Not publishedTwelve-week accelerator for early-stage cybersecurity companies led by the Howard County Economic Development Authority in Maryland, with six to eight companies per cohort supported by a dedicated entrepreneur-in-residence and mentors in cybersecurity, sales and funding. The program pages publish no investment, equity or fee terms. Applicants must be U.S.-based companies with their own cybersecurity product (software or hardware), or a demonstrable prototype with market research and a go-to-market timeline, and must commit to at least 11 of the 12 weekly three-hour meetings. Graduates can continue at the Maryland Innovation Center. Cohort Four is the current cohort; its applications are closed, and applications are accepted now for the next cohort, anticipated to begin in early spring 2027.
- Program length
- 12 weeks
- Format
- Not published
- Location
- MD
- Cohorts per year
- Not published
- Cohort size
- 6 to 8 companies per cohort
- Stage focus
- early-stage cybersecurity startups moving from concept to commercialization
- Sub-vertical
- cybersecurity products (software and hardware)
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- Howard County Economic Development Authority
- Notable alumni
- Not published
Terms notes: Twelve-week accelerator for early-stage cybersecurity companies led by the Howard County Economic Development Authority in Maryland, with six to eight companies per cohort supported by a dedicated entrepreneur-in-residence and mentors in cybersecurity, sales and funding. The program pages publish no investment, equity or fee terms. Applicants must be U.S.-based companies with their own cybersecurity product (software or hardware), or a demonstrable prototype with market research and a go-to-market timeline, and must commit to at least 11 of the 12 weekly three-hour meetings. Graduates can continue at the Maryland Innovation Center. Cohort Four is the current cohort; its applications are closed, and applications are accepted now for the next cohort, anticipated to begin in early spring 2027.
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Terms in plain English
The Cyber Howard Accelerator does not publish its terms: its pages mention no investment, equity or fee. What it describes is support: a dedicated entrepreneur-in-residence, mentors in cybersecurity, sales and fundraising, access to testing environments, compliance guidance (CMMC, FedRAMP, SOC 2), and preparation for investor and government buyer conversations over twelve weekly sessions.
Who this is actually for
Early-stage U.S. cybersecurity companies with their own product or a demonstrable prototype, moving from concept to commercialization and aiming at government, defense or commercial buyers. You need to commit to at least 11 of the 12 weekly three-hour meetings.
Cyber Howard Accelerator application deadlines
Next cohort, anticipated to begin in early spring 2027 (applications accepted now): Timing expected, exact dates not yet confirmed.
Verified Sep 28, 2026Source
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next Cyber Howard Accelerator application deadline?
- Applications for Cyber Howard Accelerator are open now, and a close date is not yet published.
- How much does Cyber Howard Accelerator invest?
- Cyber Howard Accelerator does not publish an investment amount, so we record it as not published.
- How much equity does Cyber Howard Accelerator take?
- Cyber Howard Accelerator does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
- Where is Cyber Howard Accelerator located and is it in person?
- Cyber Howard Accelerator is based in MD.
- Is Cyber Howard Accelerator still active?
- As of our last check on Sep 28, 2026, Cyber Howard Accelerator is active.
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Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Sep 28, 2026.
- https://howardcountyeda.org/business-resources/cyber-howard/
- https://howardcountyeda.org/business-resources/cyber-howard/program-overview/
- https://howardcountyeda.org/business-resources/cyber-howard/cyber-cohort/
- https://howardcountyeda.org/business-resources/cyber-howard/graduation/
- https://howardcountyeda.org/wp-content/uploads/Updated-12-week-Milestone.pdf