Rockville Economic Development, Inc.

A Message From the Mayor

Dear Businessperson,

The City of Rockville is committed to promoting economic development and helping existing businesses and new companies start, grow, finance and manage their organizations. As you browse this website, you will discover the exciting things that are happening in our City, and the reasons why Rockville is such an excellent business location.

Rockville’s traditional economic pillars are the fields of science and technology, health care, government, law, and education. These areas are alive and well, even as the diversity and range of businesses in the City expand with significant emerging sectors in engineering, design, architecture, banking, finance and professional services. (more...)

Calendar of Events

Event Listing Current as of May 23, 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013   12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Montgomery County Small Business Awards Luncheon
Marriott Bethesda North Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville
$40; sponsorships available; info and registration here.

Friday, May 24, 2013
DEADLINE: Bethesda Green Investor Pitch Training Program Applications Due
This program gives highly qualified entrepreneurs sophisticated feedback on their readiness to seek investment, and puts them in front of active investors. It is open to tech and non-tech businesses in DC, Maryland and Virginia that have sustainable products or services and have a growth-oriented business model.
Information here.

Saturday, May 25 - Sunday, May 26, 2013
Rockville Hometown Holidays
The best Memorial Day Weekend celebration in the area features dozens of entertainers on seven stages, children's rides, teen activities, the VisArts Fine Arts Festival, an environmental expo, and the Taste of Rockville, with delicious samples from 20 restaurants!
Rockville Town Center
Details on the festival here, volunteer for Taste of Rockville with the Rockville Chamber of Commerce here.
Parking information here.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013   12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
FREE Seminar: "Building a Productive Relationship with the FDA"
Open to all Montgomery County Startup and Entrepreneurial companies.
William E. Hanna, Jr. Innovation Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville
RSVP to 240-453-8470.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013   9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar: "Federal Contracting - Crafting Federal Cost and Budget Proposals"
For anyone considering doing government contacting, including those planning to apply for SBIR/STTR's. Topics include federal cost-estimating requirements; reliable cost-estimating techniques; proper handling and development of price/budget proposal sections; techniques and tools for developing indirect cost estimates; the various roles of the budget documents in winning awards; accounting system requirements for federal work; and contract negotiations.
William Hanna /Shady Grove Innovation Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville
Info here; registration (required) at 240-453-8470 or here.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013   1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar: "Federal Contracting - Project Planning, Cost Estimating and Control"
For anyone considering doing government contacting, including those planning to apply for SBIR/STTR's, this session imparts the theories and real-world tools needed for any Project Manager to take control of the project.
William Hanna /Shady Grove Innovation Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville
Info here; registration (required) at 240-453-8470 or here.


Thursday, May 30, 2013   9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
QuickBooks Online Training
Learn to use QuickBooks Online to pay bills, process invoices, work with bank accounts, and track the financial performance of your business. Bring your own laptop, or borrow one of ours.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$75; register here.

Thursday, May 30, 2013   6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Networking After Hours
Best Western Plus, 1251 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville
$10; info and registration here.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013   7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
FREE: "Leveraging Government Contracts and Government Grants to Grow Your Business - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"
Marriott North Bethesda Hotel, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville
Info and registration here.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013   8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Women Business Owners of Montgomery County Pay-As-You-Go Breakfast Networking
Silver Diner, 12276 Rockville Pike, Rockville
Info and registration here.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013   3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
FREE Webinar: "The New Visa for Immigrant Founders and Entrepreneurs"
Learn about this proposed new game-changing program, including how investments by VC's, angels, CDFI's and government entities may benefit immigrant founders and small businesses; core requirements for establishing qualified entrepreneur status; and how qualified entrepreneurs become permanent residents.
Register here.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013   6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
MIT Enterprise Forum: Secrets of Working in the Far East for Life Sciences Companies
Asian countries offer both opportunities and traps. This panel of veteran entrepreneurs with on-the-ground experience in Asia will share both. Panelists: Madhusudan Peshwa, PhD, Executive VP, MaxCyte; Helen Karuso, Principal, Regenerate Captial; Sandra Garrett, Executive Chair, Global Research Services; Salim Shah, Cofounder, Sarfez Pharmaceuticals.
Johns Hopkins University Rockville Campus, 9601 Medical Center Drive
Free for MITEF members, $20 for students/postdocs, $40 for others; information and registration here.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013   5:00 p.m.
Deadline: StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition
Executive Summaries due.
Competition details here.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013   1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar: "Sweeping Changes in the U.S. Patent Law - What your Company Needs to Know"
Learn about the new "first to file" rules, fee changes, the redefinition of prior art , who can file, infringement issues and more.
William Hanna /Shady Grove Innovation Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville
Info here; registration (required) at 240-453-8470 or here.

Friday, June 7, 2013   9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar: "SBIR Checklist: Preparing Your Successful Proposal"
For anyone working on an SBIR proposal. Make your proposal more competitive!
William Hanna /Shady Grove Innovation Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville
Info here; registration (required) at 240-453-8470 or here.

Friday, June 11, 2013   9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Seminar: "Preparing for Early Stage Financing - From Investor Package to Term Sheet"
Increase your likelihood of successful financing!
William Hanna /Shady Grove Innovation Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville
Info here; registration (required) at 240-453-8470 or here.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013
FREE International Export Assistance
Meet with a Senior International Trade Specialist from the U.S. Export Assistance Center.
Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, 111 Rockville Pike, 8th Floor, Rockville
Register (required) here or call 240-777-2036.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Grow Your Business with Email and Social Media
Learn economical tools to help engage existing customers and suppliers, and reach out to new prospects. Create a digital marketing strategy unique to your business.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$15; register here.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Mtech Open Entrepreneur Office Hours
Regional entrepreneurs with tech-based startups receive advice on building and financing a company, developing and protecting intellectual property, navigating the tech transfer process, refining business strategy and more.
University of Maryland College Park, Technology Advancement Program Building, Room 1103, College Park
Learn more and register here.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013   6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Get It Done - Maryland Business Registration Clinic
Attorneys and CPA's meet one-on-one with entrepreneurs to discuss immediate and ongoing legal and tax issues associated with choosing an entity type (i.e. sole proprietor, LLC, etc.) and forming a business in Maryland. After the consultation, participants may use our laptops to register their businesses with the state of Maryland, and receive a Federal Employee Identification Number.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$10; register here.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013   8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Women Spanning the Globe Conference
Featured topics include women entrepreneurs and global innovation; cultural norms for international business; gender equality and political leadership; and communications in today's world.
Jim Rouse Visionary Center, American Visionary Arts Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore
$150; register here.


Wednesday, June 12, 2013   8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
FREE Orientation to MWBC Resources
Learn about the programs available at the Maryland Women's Business Center, and about other resources to help you.
Wheaton Business Innovation Center, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, 7th Floor, Wheaton
Register here.


Wednesday, June 12, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
ABC's of Starting a Business
Learn the steps to take to start a business, and about the many resources available to support you.
Wheaton Business Innovation Center, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, 7th Floor, Wheaton
$10; Register here.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013   11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rockville Public Safety Awards
Join prize-winning journalist Bob Levey in honoring the police, firefighters and others who insure our safety and well-being. Sponsorships and reserved tables available.
Lakewood Country Club, 13901 Glen Mill Road, Rockville
$30 before June 3; $35 after. Info and registration here.

Thursday, June 13, 2013   11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
eWomenNetwork Accelerated Networking Lunch: "Sharpen Your Speakability, Increase Your Impact"
Lakewood Country Club, 13901 Glen Mill Road, Rockville
$37 for eWomenNetwork members, $47 for others.
Register here.

Friday, June 14, 2013   2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FREE TEDCO Funding Briefing
Learn about Maryland TEDCO's funding programs for technology entrepreneurs, the application process, qualifications, and guidelines.
Via Webinar, or live at TEDCO, 5565 Sterrett Place, Suite 214, Columbia, MD
Info and registration here.

Friday, June 14, 2013   5:00 p.m.
Deadline: StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition
Full Plans due.
Competition details here.

Monday, June 17, 2013   8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE Montgomery County Small Business Forum
Share with Montgomery County's new Small Business Navigator and other county officials how the county can make it easier for small businesses to thrive in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville
RSVP here or to 240-777-7828.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013   8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
FREE DC Tech Breakfast Meetup
Network with others from the tech industry, and hear short summaries from startups.
Microsoft, 5404 Wisconsin Ave., 5th Floor, Chevy Chase
Info and registration here.


Thursday, June 20, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Funding Options
Learn about funding programs available through banks, microenterprise organizations, and government agencies, as well as alternative sources including competitions, crowd funding, and factoring. Get advice on when and how to approach a lender and which type of funding can best suit your business' needs.
Maryland Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$15; info and registration here.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Local Government Contracting
Learn to find, apply for and win Montgomery County contracts.
Maryland Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$25; info and registration here.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013   8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE Seminar: "Startup Corporate Governance and Liability Risk Management"
Should you form an LLC, partnership or corporation? How do you attract investors while protecting your equity stake? How do you protect yourself and your company from liability? Learn the principles of good corporate governance.
Microsoft, 5404 Wisconsin Ave., 7th Floor, Chevy Chase
Info and registration here.


Thursday, June 27, 2013   9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
QuickBooks Online Training
Learn to use QuickBooks Online to pay bills, process invoices, work with bank accounts, and track the financial performance of your business. Bring your own laptop, or borrow one of ours.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$75; register here.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
FREE International Export Assistance
Meet with a Senior International Trade Specialist from the U.S. Export Assistance Center.
Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, 111 Rockville Pike, 8th Floor, Rockville
Register (required) here or call 240-777-2036.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE Mtech Open Entrepreneur Office Hours
Regional entrepreneurs with tech-based startups receive advice on building and financing a company, developing and protecting intellectual property, navigating the tech transfer process, refining business strategy and more.
University of Maryland College Park, Technology Advancement Program Building, Room 1103, College Park
Learn more and register here.


Wednesday, July 10, 2013   8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
FREE Orientation to MWBC Resources
Learn about the programs available at the Maryland Women's Business Center, and about other resources to help you.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
Register here.


Wednesday, July 10, 2013   10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
ABC's of Starting a Business
Learn the steps to take to start a business, and about the many resources available to support you.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville
$10; Register here.


Wednesday, July 17, 2013   TBA
SEO and Google Analytics
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville


Friday, July 19, 2013   TBA
Get it Done - Perfecting Your Business Pitch
Learn how to present your business proposition and plan effectively and convincingly.
Rockville Women's Business Center, 95 Monroe St., Rockville

Thursday, August 29, 2013   8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The Power Conference: Women Doing Business
Join 800 women doing business for workshops, networking, an exhibit hall, and the presentation of the 2013 StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition winners!
Marriott Bethesda North Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville
Information here.

Please pardon our dust while Monroe Street is being repaired! REDI and the Maryland Women's Business Center are still open! There is no parking in front of our office during construction, and the sidewalk is closed between our stairs and the courthouse. It is easiest to approach us from East Montgomery Avenue: please use our ramp to access our door. Parking options here.

The Power Conference: Women Doing Business is soliciting conference presentation proposals for the August 29 conference. Information here.

Exciting things are coming to Rockville Town Center, including a Cambria Suites Hotel! Learn about it here.

Rockville Town Center Parking Options here.

REDI visited 54 Rockville companies during the 2013 Rockville Business Appreciation Week. Read the summary of our findings here. See The Rockville Channel's coverage of the week here.

Congratulations to Rockville's own CoFounders Lab, the winner of the Pitch Across Maryland Competition! See their winning pitch here. Congratulations also to Rockville's SynAm Vaccine, and StartRight! companies Samegrain, Autonomy Engine, and Unbound Concepts, which were all finalists. REDI is proud that five of the seven finalists have a connection to Rockville and REDI!

It's time for the 2013

StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition
Your plan could be a winner!
Executive Summaries due June 5
Competition details here.

Thank you to our StartRight! sponsors:

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Located in the REDI offices, 95 Monroe Street, Rockville. The center offers tailored training, counseling and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs start and build successful business enterprises that are positioned for long-term growth. It is open to all, and held 50 seminars and served 1000 clients in its first year!
Learn more at the RWBC website, here.
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The Maryland Small Business Development Center offers over 40 FREE on-line classes in starting a business, managing your finances, and the foundations of marketing. They are available 24 hours a day; learn more here.
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Rockville is the only city in the Mid-Atlantic to be recognized in 2010 by Bloomberg Businessweek, Money Magazine and U.S. News & World Report as a great place to live, work, and start a business!

Rockville has been named one of the 10 best places in America to start a business by Bloomberg Business Week! It is the only mid-Atlantic city on the list, and one of only three on the east coast. Article here.
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Here are directions to the Rockville Innovation Center, located in the Arts & Innovation Center Building. Find out more about this small business incubator.

Directions to Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
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REDI Inclement Weather Policy: REDI and Rockville Women's Business Center Seminars will only be cancelled if the Rockville City Government closes. REDI is not tied to the public school system. If schools are delayed or closed but the City Government is open, our seminar will be held as scheduled.
Many events that are publicized on this website are given by REDI partners. Please check the individual event websites for partner inclement weather policies.