What Tech Frederick does

techfrederick is a Maryland-based 501(c) nonprofit organization that operates as the central networking, advocacy, and workforce-development hub for the technology community of Frederick County, Maryland. Founded in 2016 (commemorating its 10-year anniversary in 2026, although firmographic data lists 2009), the organization does not build proprietary technology products; instead it runs on third-party membership-management software (Wild Apricot) and standard virtual classroom platforms to deliver membership services, events, and training. Its portfolio of programs includes the Aspire Training Program (subsidized IT support, networking, cybersecurity, and emerging-technology courses funded through the Maryland EARN grant), signature community events such as the annual Leadership Conversation, techfrederick Games (34 teams in 2024), and Techie Awards (130+ attendees in 2024), a Career Center job board, and a member directory.

The organization monetizes through six pricing tiers: corporate memberships ranging from $250 (1–9 employees) to $3,000 (500+ employees) annually, individual ($100) and student ($10) memberships, strategic partnership sponsorships across six tiers from $1,000 (Champion) to $25,000 (Innovator), and pay-as-you-go professional training courses such as the PMP Exam Prep Boot Camp ($175) and Data Engineering on AWS ($100). Restricted grant funding — including a $250,000 EARN award in June 2025 — underwrites the Aspire Training Program and subsidizes training pricing.

techfrederick is led by Executive Director Meghan Sweigart (joined March 2023) and governed by a 24-member voting Board of Directors (transitioned from Advisory Board in January 2025) comprising leaders from Frederick County government, economic development agencies, educational institutions, and member companies. Its primary customer segments are Frederick-area technology companies and professionals (primary), government contractors, life sciences firms, unemployed/underemployed workers participating in Aspire, and economic development partners such as the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and City of Frederick Economic Development.

Name

Tech Frederick

Legal name

techfrederick

Website

https://techfrederick.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

techfrederick is a Maryland-based 501(c) nonprofit that serves as the central networking, advocacy, and workforce-development hub for Frederick County's technology community through memberships, signature events, and subsidized training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Community & Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)

Keywords

• Technology community building
• Nonprofit membership association
• Workforce training programs
• Professional networking events
• Regional tech advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees based on company size: 1-9 employees $250, 10-49 employees $500, 50-199 employees $750, 200-499 employees $1,500, 500+ employees $3,000, Individual $100, Student $10. Fees auto-renew annually.
2. Strategic Partnerships/Sponsorships: Annual strategic partnership tiers: $25,000 Innovator, $15,000 Accelerator, $10,000 Visionary, $5,000 Pioneer, $2,500 Trailblazer, $1,000 Champion. Includes sponsorship of events like Tech Games and Techie Awards.
3. Professional Training Programs: Revenue from training programs including PMP Bootcamp ($175) and Data Engineering on AWS ($100). Programs are subsidized through Maryland EARN grant funding, making them affordable for smaller businesses and individuals.
4. Event Sponsorships: Events are sponsored by local companies. Edgewater Federal Solutions presented the 2026 Leadership Conversation. Other events include Tech Games, Techie Awards, and networking events with sponsor support.
5. Grants: Funding primarily from Maryland Department of Labor via the EARN grant. Awarded $250,000 EARN grant in June 2025 to expand Aspire Training Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tech Frederick operates as the central nonprofit membership hub for Frederick County, Maryland's technology ecosystem, offering tiered company and individual memberships, the EARN-funded Aspire Training Program for IT/cybersecurity/emerging-tech skills, a Career Center job board, signature community events (techfrederick Games, Techie Awards, Leadership Conversation), and professional certification courses such as PMP Exam Prep and Data Engineering on AWS. Its offerings are sold primarily to regional technology companies, professionals, and strategic sponsors rather than to a national market.

Product overview

Tech Frederick is a nonprofit organization serving as the central hub for Frederick County's technology community. Rather than offering a unified software product, Tech Frederick provides a portfolio of community programs and professional training services. Core offerings include the Aspire Training Program (tech skills training funded by EARN grants), TechConnect (professional networking), Career Center (job board), and signature events including the annual Leadership Conversation, techfrederick Games, and Techie Awards. The organization also offers professional certification courses such as PMP Exam Prep Boot Camp and Data Engineering on AWS training. Tech Frederick connects the local tech ecosystem through advocacy, education, and community-building initiatives, while its member companies offer products including iHire360 (AI-powered recruitment) and BlueLot ELN+ (electronic lab notebook with LIMS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aspire Training Program Customized workforce development program for unemployed, underemployed, and employed individuals in Frederick County seeking to build in-demand tech skills; funding primarily from Maryland Department of Labor EARN grants.
• Leadership Conversation Annual signature event featuring intimate fireside-chat discussions with nationally recognized technology leaders on leadership, innovation, and the future of technology.
• techfrederick Games Annual competitive games event among local high-tech company teams designed to strengthen the Frederick tech community through friendly competition across multiple sporting and gaming events.
• Techie Awards Annual awards ceremony celebrating Frederick's innovators, changemakers, educators, startups, and rising stars across multiple technology community categories.
• Career Center Job Board Online job board connecting Frederick-area tech employers with skilled local professionals; member employers receive priority posting access.
• PMP Exam Prep Boot Camp Project Management Professional certification prep course (4 sessions) delivered virtually, covering predictive, agile, and hybrid methodologies with PMI courseware, exam prep materials, practice exams, and 6-month online portal access.
• Data Engineering on AWS Intermediate 3-day virtual course on data engineering practices using AWS services, covering data lakes, data warehouses, batch and streaming data pipelines, design, optimization, and security.
• TechConnect Community program that brings tech professionals together to exchange ideas, insights, and experiences and to discuss industry topics in a dynamic, interactive environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Training programs supported through EARN grant funding with follow-up surveys measuring impact
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Edgewater Federal SolutionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Edgewater Federal Solutions is the presenting sponsor of the techfrederick Leadership Conversation event. This annual signature event brings nationally recognized technology leaders to Frederick. Edgewater is also a strategic partner and long-standing member of techfrederick.
• Maryland Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2025The Maryland Department of Labor provides primary funding for techfrederick's Aspire Training Program through the EARN (Employment Advancement Right Now) grant. Awarded $250,000 in June 2025 to expand training programs focused on IT support, networking, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
• HighGearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHighGear is represented on techfrederick's Executive Committee with Josh Yeager serving as Board President. HighGear is a local tech company where Yeager serves as COO.
• DCM BioServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCM BioServices General Manager Jeff Griffin serves on techfrederick's Executive Committee as Board Secretary. DCM Bio is a local biotech firm specializing in laboratory automation service and support.
• iHirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteve Flook, President and CEO of iHire, serves on the Board of Directors. iHire is a Frederick-based recruitment marketing platform and long-standing techfrederick member company.
• Mount St. Mary's UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValerie Pearson from Mount St. Mary's University serves on the Board of Directors. The university offers tuition discounts (up to 60% off undergraduate programs at Emmitsburg campus, 20% at Frederick campus) for techfrederick members and their dependents.
• Frederick County Office of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolash Aviles from Frederick County Office of Economic Development serves on the Board of Directors. The organization supports biotech and technology industries in the County.
• City of Frederick Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMary Ford-Naill from City of Frederick Economic Development serves on the Board of Directors. Focuses on business attraction and retention initiatives within the City.
• Frederick County Workforce ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesley Leatherman from Frederick County Workforce Services serves on the Board of Directors. Supports Frederick County employers with various workforce development aspects.
• MA Roat Consulting, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaria Roat, former US Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer and CEO of MA Roat Consulting, serves on the Executive Committee. She moderated the 2026 Leadership Conversation with Renee Wynn.
• Maryland Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKimberly Mentzell, Director of Cybersecurity and Aerospace at Maryland Department of Commerce, serves on the Board of Directors. Fosters and promotes cybersecurity across all industry sectors in Maryland.
• Rowan Digital InfrastructurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRowan Digital Infrastructure is a strategic partner of techfrederick. Partnered with Frederick County Public Schools and Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation on STEM Center at Carroll Manor Elementary.
• Sentinel Roof TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant Otto, founder of Sentinel Roof Technologies, serves on the Board of Directors and is Aspire Training Committee Chair. Sentinel Roof Technologies is an IoT monitoring solution company.
• Brown PluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyan Harshman, Senior Manager at Brown Plus (CPA firm), serves on the Executive Committee as Board Treasurer. Brown Plus serves nonprofits, government entities, and for-profit businesses.
• Miles & StockbridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJeremy Scholtes, principal at Miles & Stockbridge, serves on the Board of Directors. The law firm serves as outside general counsel for companies in construction, IT, and manufacturing including government contractors.
• Rodgers ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric Soter from Rodgers Consulting serves on the Board of Directors. Rodgers Consulting is a land development planning and engineering consulting firm with offices in Frederick.
• YakabodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarole Heine from Yakabod serves on the Board of Directors. Yakabod is a Frederick-based software company providing case management for security professionals. Co-founder Scott Ryser received Lifetime Achievement Award.
• OrasescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrases is a techfrederick member company and custom software development firm. Five-time Inc. 5000 honoree. Named in Gartner's Custom Software Development Services Strategic Sourcing Guide.
• 321 Web MarketingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJon-Mikel Bailey from 321 Web Marketing serves on the Executive Committee as Board Vice President (previously). Bailey is Director of Sales and Marketing for the branding and marketing agency.
• IsNull SoftworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndres Mendoza from IsNull Softworks serves on the Executive Committee. Owns a local tech consulting firm and serves on techfrederick's advisory board.
• Woodsboro BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWoodsboro Bank is a techfrederick member and Frederick County's longest-standing community bank (established 1899). Promoted three leaders to executive positions in January 2025.
• Bolt Innovations Group, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJonathan Pernell, CEO of Bolt Innovations Group, serves on the Board of Directors. Company focuses on government services and solutions for digital transformation, cybersecurity, and program support.
• Glade Creek TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJon Pollock from Glade Creek Technology serves on the Board of Directors. Provides technology solutions for organizations both large and small.
• Frederick County Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Genemore Sands from Frederick County Public Schools serves on the Board of Directors. LYNX Advocate at Frederick High School supporting students with academic and career initiatives.
• Downtown Frederick PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKara Norman, Executive Director of Downtown Frederick Partnership, serves on the Board of Directors. techfrederick Advisory Board member since 2017.
• GxP SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJake Butt, owner of GxP Solutions, serves on the Board of Directors. Consultancy helping nonprofits and biotech firms with technology and infrastructure needs.
• BRMiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJillian DeShazer from BRMi serves on the Board of Directors. Project Manager for NIAID Research Technologies Branch implementing new accessioning system.
• BaneBio & I-270 Innovation LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoug Bane serves on the Board of Directors. Passionate about Life Sciences industry with 35 years of operations and warehouse management experience.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CompTIA: CompTIA is the global IT industry trade association, offering vendor-neutral IT certification, member advocacy, and workforce programming. It represents a much larger incumbent whose IT certification and training interests directly overlap with Tech Frederick's IT/certification training programs (PMP, AWS, cybersecurity), serving as an industry umbrella.
• AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals): AITP is a long-standing IT professional association historically organized around local chapters. It serves a similar networking/professional-development role for IT professionals as Tech Frederick does for Frederick-area tech workers, but at a national scale and with a more IT-specific (rather than broad tech) focus.

Direct peers

• Maryland Tech Council: The Maryland Tech Council is the statewide technology industry trade association serving Maryland's tech community. It is the most directly comparable peer to Tech Frederick: both serve Maryland tech employers with advocacy, networking, talent development, and events, with Tech Frederick effectively operating as a regional/Frederick County chapter of a similar model at the state level.
• Arizona Technology Council: The Arizona Technology Council is a statewide industry trade association offering networking, advocacy, workforce programs, and events to Arizona tech employers. Comparable in scope of services (membership tiers, government advocacy, events) and in operating at a defined regional level.
• Pittsburgh Technology Council: The Pittsburgh Technology Council is a regional tech industry association serving southwestern Pennsylvania. Comparable to Tech Frederick in combining member services, advocacy, events, and tech-talent/workforce development in a defined regional market.
• MassTLC (Mass Technology Leadership Council): MassTLC is a Massachusetts-based technology leadership council that connects tech companies, talent, and policymakers. Its mix of policy advocacy, member networking, and workforce/talent programming parallels Tech Frederick's mix of advocacy, networking, and grant-funded Aspire training.
• Charleston Digital Corridor: Charleston Digital Corridor is a tech-focused economic development organization for the Charleston, SC region, providing networking, talent development, and community programming. Closely parallels Tech Frederick's hyper-local, community-led model with a focus on tech workforce and industry growth.
• Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC): NVTC is one of the largest technology industry councils in the U.S., representing Northern Virginia's tech ecosystem. It is directly comparable to Tech Frederick in mission (industry advocacy, networking, workforce development) but operates at a much larger scale in a neighboring region, making it a relevant structural and strategic peer.
• Technology Association of Georgia (TAG): TAG is a state/regional technology industry association serving Georgia's tech community across multiple chapters and verticals. It shares Tech Frederick's combination of advocacy, member services, workforce initiatives, and signature events, and represents a more mature version of the same model Tech Frederick operates at county scale.

Others

• Workforce Development Board of Frederick County: The local Frederick County workforce development board administers publicly funded training programs and labor-market data. It is a complementary, not competitive, organization: Tech Frederick's grant-funded Aspire Training runs alongside and partly leverages this public workforce infrastructure, making the relationship collaborative rather than substitutive.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/techfrederick
• Facebookfacebook.com/TechFrederick
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/techfrederick
• Instagraminstagram.com/techfrederick

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tech Frederick