About this Event
What is the Market Pulse Series?
Through sector-focused challenges and showcases, Market Pulse identifies real-world industry needs, highlights market-ready technologies, and creates opportunities for customer connections, pilots, partnerships, investment, and business growth.
What is the focus of the 2026 Cyber Howard Challenge and how was that determined?
This year’s Cyber Howard Challenge was shaped by feedback from the Cyber Market Pulse Survey, which asked industry leaders to identify their most pressing cybersecurity needs and emerging challenges.
The survey drew participation from seven industry sectors - cybersecurity, IT/AI, financial services, aerospace and defense, healthcare/life sciences, construction, and emerging technology - offering insight into cybersecurity priorities from both technology providers and end-user industries.
The results showed a strong focus on AI-related cybersecurity challenges, with approximately 77% of respondents identifying securing AI systems and applications or defending against AI-driven cyber threats as a priority.
Respondents also identified related concerns including securing AI models and applications, autonomous and AI-enabled attacks, human and machine identities, third-party and supply-chain risk, data and privacy protection, and emerging agentic AI threats. These findings shaped the 2026 Cyber Howard Challenge: Securing the AI-Driven Enterprise.
Who will be participating in the Cyber Challenge?
HCEDA issued an open call for companies with solutions addressing one or more of the following industry-informed challenge areas:
- Securing AI
- Defending Against AI
- Identity, Trust & Agentic Security
- AI Ecosystem & Supply Chain Security
Six finalists will be selected by September 28 to advance to the 2026 Cyber Howard Challenge Pitch on October 20, 2026. Stay tuned for finalist info.
What can you expect at the Cyber Howard Challenge Pitch event?
Finalists will demonstrate their technology, explain the cybersecurity problem it addresses, and present its impact to a panel of cybersecurity, industry, government, investment, and technology experts - competing for $15,000 in cash prizes:
- 1st Place: $7,000
- 2nd Place: $5,000
- 3rd Place: $3,000
Join us to discover innovative AI security solutions, experience the excitement of the pitch competition and network with a room full of private-sector, government and academic entity leaders engaged in the region's cybersecurity ecosystem.
Judges: Info coming soon.
Emcee: Info coming soon.
AGENDA
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Registration & Networking
Check-in and network over hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
6:00 PM - 6:10 PM: Opening Remarks
6:10 PM - 7:00 PM: Pitch Competition
7:00 PM - 7:15 PM: Networking Break & Judging Deliberation
7:15 PM - 7:25 PM: Awards & Closing Remarks
7:25 PM - 8:00 PM: Networking & Close
Interested in putting your company in the spotlight through this event? Contact Stacey Smith for sponsorship details at [email protected] or 443-844-0047.
Disclaimer: By registering for this event, you agree that your contact information may be shared with the event sponsor(s) for follow-up communications related to the event or their services. If you prefer not to have your information shared, please contact the event organizer directly.
Please note: Photos, videos and recordings may be taken during the event and used for marketing or promotional purposes by the organizers and sponsors. By attending, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in these materials.
Event venue & nearby stays
Maryland Innovation Center, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.