The StarTUp at the Armory may look like a free, co-working space in uptown Towson, but it is so much more. It is the front door for start-ups, small businesses and the region’s largest corporations. Members of the TU community and entrepreneurs and executives from around Maryland and the greater Baltimore area can use the 6,000-square feet of co-working space and meeting rooms to connect with each other to discover or propel the next big idea.

Our hope at the StarTUp is that any student—regardless of major—can learn about and experience entrepreneurship.

Leari Jones

The StarTUp also bolsters the entrepreneurial journey for students through specific programming that teaches students about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how to apply their ideas and skills to create successful ventures. Through roundtables, panels and hands-on experiences, students learn about entrepreneurship beyond the classroom.

"Experiences offered by the StarTUp are the building blocks of learning entrepreneurship,” says Patrick McQuown, TU’s executive director of entrepreneurship. “It's in the trials, the creativity and the real-world problem-solving where ideas evolve into impact and passion transforms into progress."

The entrepreneurial journey for students

Students can enter the entrepreneurial journey at the StarTUp at the RealTalk roundtables, Boss Up panels, TU MakerFest competition or the College Cup. Participation in the College Cup can lead to a coveted spot in the College Cup Accelerator.

RealTalk

Students who attend RealTalk events have the opportunity to meet experts and build a network in the community. This roundtable-style program occurs twice a semester, with topics varying based on partnerships with student organizations and ventures headquartered within the StarTUp. Experts will cover a wide variety of industries, ranging from financial and medical technology to consumer-packaged goods. Save the dates for the first RealTalk events of 2025 on Feb. 21 and April 18.

Boss Up

In partnership with the Career Center, students who attend the Boss Up panels will learn how to be their own boss, receiving focused tips, tricks and advice from successful entrepreneurs. Recent panelists included TU alumni and faculty who own their own companies, like Lianna Banks ’24 from Events by Elle B. and Jal Irani from Flave. Be on the lookout for Boss Up panels that occur once a semester.

TU MakerFest

The TU MakerFest competition encourages students to solve real-world problems with innovative solutions through a 24-hour innovation sprint. Typically held in the fall, this competition allows students to unleash their creativity while creating effective products and pitches. During the inaugural TU MakerFest, StudyWise, a studying and task management system developed by five current TU students, won first place. All winners of TU MakerFest are guaranteed a spot in the College Cup.

College Cup

Student giving pitch
Students presenting their venture at the College Cup

Students who apply with a business idea attend a month-long bootcamp hosted by the StarTUp to refine their idea and prepare for the final pitch event, the 2025 College Cup Innovation Challenge on April 8. Led by McQuown, TU alums and faculty, the month-long programming consists of workshops and mentor sessions to help develop the students’ ventures. In addition to a $10,000 prize to be used to toward their venture, the winner—determined by a panel of judges—will automatically receive a coveted spot in the College Cup Accelerator.

Abigail Kuehl '25, co-founder of ANTIDOTE and winner of the 2024 College Cup said, "The feedback, mentorship, and overall exposure throughout the competition helped equip me with confidence and necessary tools to grow my business. The competition pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, embrace more collaboration, and sharpen my skills. It wasn't just about winning - it was about growth, both personally and professionally." 

Abigail Kuehl holding her StartUp College Cup trophy

College Cup 2025 Applications

Applications for this year’s College Cup are open and students are invited to apply before they close on Feb. 24. If students have questions, they are invited to attend an info session on Feb. 13.

Apply for the College Cup Register for the info session

College Cup Accelerator

The College Cup Accelerator is made up of finalists from the College Cup and runs concurrently with the StarTUp Accelerator. Occurring over the summer, the College Cup Accelerator will help teach companies how to manage and utilize the capital they win from the College Cup in the most effective and sustainable way. Students work alongside business owners learning about managing equity and how to build relationships with customers and consumers. At the end of the College Cup Accelerator, the students will have learned everything they need to know to start their ventures.

Two students in front of board that shows the logos for each student founder at the Accelerator

If any student has questions about opportunities at the StarTUp, they can reach out to Leari Jones, business and programming specialist.

“Our hope at the StarTUp is that any student—regardless of major—can learn about and experience entrepreneurship,” says Leari Jones. “By providing these opportunities, maybe we help spark an idea or provide the confidence needed to pursue and execute a high impact venture.”