Are You Agentic AI Ready? TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo to Host Panel on What Investors Look For

Session will feature leaders from Advanceo Capital, Popper and Company and Aertron, moderated by Jean-Luc Park

COLUMBIA, Md., (August 19, 2026) - TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announces the "What do Investors look for to see if you're Agentic AI ready?" session at the upcoming 2026 Entrepreneur Expo taking place at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor on October 27, 2026.

The session will bring together Meredith Amdur of Advanceo Capital, Vishal Amin of Aertron and Caroline Popper of Popper and Company for a conversation moderated by Jean-Luc Park of TEDCO.

As agentic AI rapidly transforms the startup landscape, investors are evaluating more than whether a company uses AI - they are looking for evidence that founders are building organizations equipped to thrive in an AI-driven future. This panel will explore the different signals investors are using to identify which companies are prepared for the next generation of intelligent systems.

"AI companies are growing in number, but the real question has shifted," said Park. "Rather than examining if AI is used across the company, investors are looking at whether a founder is using these tools to whether the organization around them is built to keep up. This conversation is about making those signals explicit, so founders know what they're actually being evaluated on."

Drawing on real-world examples and an investor's perspective, attendees will learn the strategies, operational practices and technology decisions that demonstrate AI readiness today, along with the emerging indicators likely to matter over the next six to twelve months. Whether a company is seeking funding or preparing for what comes next, the session offers practical insight into positioning a startup for long-term success.

The conversation comes at a moment when Maryland's investment landscape is drawing national attention. The State's companies raised nearly $3.4 billion in venture capital in 2023, ranks 2nd nationally in federal research and development funding, and was named the top state for emerging venture capital investment. Maryland is also home to two universities recently ranked among the World's Top 50 for Entrepreneurs and Innovators and ranked among the top states in the country for professional and technical workers. The state is taking things further through their $1 billion "Capital of Quantum" initiative - anchored by the University of Maryland and quantum computing leader IonQ - which will position Maryland at the forefront of the next wave of advanced computing. This combination of capital, federal research investment and specialized talent is part of why investors are watching closely to see which founders are building the AI-ready organizations of tomorrow.

TEDCO's award-winning Entrepreneur Expo shines a spotlight on regional entrepreneurship. Attracting more than 1,170 attendees, the event collects some of the region's top entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, venture capital investors, legislators and resources for a day of celebration. This year, the event will take place in Baltimore, offering a full day of interactive workshops, insightful discussions and inspiring connections in one of the top 20 best cities for entrepreneurs.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the region's top experts, including keynote guests Anirban Basu, Tamla Olivier and TEDCO's very own Troy LeMaile-Stovall; secure your spot at this impactful event now at tedcomdexpo.com/event/2026/register.