Welcome to CONNECTails networking event, where meetings happen and deals get done. Special thanks to our Premier Sponsor: Finnegan, LLP

Join us for CONNECTails networking event, a joint production of CONNECTpreneur and Group 3D. CONNECTpreneur is the premiere networking and professional development organization for over 25,000 Entrepreneurs, VCs and angels, CEOs, and other business leaders in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

CONNECTails is where our community comes together to meet, greet, learn about new opportunities, network, imbibe, and relax in a lively professional atmosphere.

Special Thanks to our Premiere Sponsor: Finnegan, LLP:

When your most valuable assets are ideas, innovation, and brand—you need the best to protect them. Finnegan, an intellectual property law firm, is trusted by global leaders to protect and advance what sets them apart. From high-stakes litigation to cutting-edge patent strategy and innovative brand management, we deliver unmatched depth, agility, and results. www.finnegan.com

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This event is a great opportunity for start-up companies in the biotech fields that are seeking funding to introduce themselves, meet with potential investors, network with future employees, and connect with quality service providers.

Registration:

• Attendees: Entrepreneurs Seeking Funding & Students – $35 in advance
• Attendee: Investors, Government – $45 in advance
• Attendee: Vendors and Service Providers – $75 in advance

EXCITING NEW VENUE!

This month we take over the entire lower-level bar area at:

matchbox Rockville
1699 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852

Nearest Metro: Twinbrook on the Red Line

• Parking: Plenty of surface spots in the shopping center next door
• Includes: First drink ticket, hot appetizers, swag, one door prize chance
• Dress: Professional casual
• Music: Classic Rock and Jazz
• Vibe: Select, friendly, positive, professional

Bring: Your own name badge from a previous event or conference. To this last point, a modest prize will be given to the attendee with the most improbable, random, or interesting name badge, subject entirely of course whims of the event organizers.

Our Honorary Hosts for the evening include Carrie Zhang of Citrine Angels. Carrie is an accomplished leader with extensive experience across the biotechnology and scientific community, and is committed to fostering innovation and strategic growth in our region.

Alex Euler is the Senior Investment Director at Virginia Venture Partners. He leads a team of investment professionals who make early-stage venture capital investments across sectors, with a primary focus on biopharma, medtech, and healthcare. Over the last 15 years, he has led over 250 transactions for the VVP fund.

Mike Smith is a well-known CONNECTpreneur Ambassador and has invested in and/or advised 45+ biopharma and tech startups (Virtech Bio, GBI Bio, Pacira Bio). He is CEO of Michael Smith Business Development, and his last exit – Two Hat Security – was acquired by Microsoft for $300M+.

Deborah Hemingway, PhD, Managing Partner of Ecphora Capital. The Good Doctor Deb is an investor, entrepreneur, research scientist, strategic advisor, mover, shaker, and proven champion of start-ups in our region.

Christopher Steele, Chief of Strategy and Business Development at MTEC | Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium. His goal is to accelerate the commercialization of biomedical products and improve military health outcomes.

All our Honorary Hosts look forward to meeting all attendees, talking shop, exploring investment opportunities, and enjoying a fun evening.

KUDOS to the Exhibiting Companies for this event:

Travel-EZ.com: Travel-EZ.com is a telepresence business designed to negate travel delays, weather disruptions and costs, enabling pre-visits to distant locations through a unique alternative to traditional travel.

Conquiro: Conquiro is an AI-powered operational intelligence platform helping hospitals optimize assets, streamline workflows, reduce waste, lower costs, and improve performance across the enterprise.

VirTech Bio: VirTech Bio’s OxyBridge™, a patented (4 issued) hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC), addresses blood loss in trauma and organ support. Large-animal primate proof-of-concept studies are complete.

Actuated Medical, Inc: Actuated’s NeuralGlider® platform helps brain therapies reach the target by improving insertion precision and reducing tissue damage for neuromodulation, BCI, and biologics. 2026 Crab Trap Finalist.

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Additional Sponsorship and Entrepreneur Exhibitor slots are available. Send an email to Hank Dearden (hankd@iiid.com) for details and we’ll take care of you right away.

Bring plenty of business cards, register today, we look forward to seeing you there!