Maryland Business Roundtable for Education

What Maryland Business Roundtable for Education does

Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition founded in 1992 that connects Maryland employers, educators, and high school students through college and career readiness programming. The organization operates a portfolio of youth programs including Next Generation Scholars (NGS), the Student Ambassador Leadership Program, and the Speakers Bureau/Career Exploration Program, supplemented by specialized modules such as College Bootcamp, One2One Mentorship, Summer of Service, NextGen NextLevel Leadership Conference, Industry Day, Career Tours, Mock Interviews, and Financial Literacy Education. NGS delivers on-site support through embedded coordinators at six high schools across five Maryland counties (Allegany, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Wicomico), while the Speakers Bureau reaches all 24 Maryland school districts; cumulative reported impact includes 9,874 classroom sessions, 13,180 classroom hours, and 248,000+ students reached, with 757 students achieving ABC recognition in 2025-2026 and the NGS Class of 2024 securing $4.3 million in scholarships and grants.

MBRT is funded through recurring corporate membership fees and public donations processed via the GiveLively platform, with no disclosed revenue figure or outside investment. Its core "technology" is not a product but a distribution network: embedded coordinators in schools, a coalition board comprising senior executives from BGE, KPMG, Pepco Holdings, Venable LLP, Kaiser Permanente, and others, and a higher-education partner ecosystem spanning Towson University, Salisbury University, Washington College, UMES, Goucher College, Loyola Maryland, Chesapeake College, and Capitol Technology University. Programs are free to students, families, and schools, and the organization is formally aligned with the state-led Blueprint for Maryland's Future reform initiative and the Maryland Higher Education Commission for financial-aid prequalification. Strategic direction is set by a new 2026-2029 plan, "My Future. My Maryland," which targets statewide scaling of mentorship and career-readiness programming.

Name

Maryland Business Roundtable for Education

Legal name

Maryland Business Roundtable for Education

Website

https://mbrt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maryland Business Roundtable for Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition, founded in 1992, that connects Maryland employers, educators, and high school students through college and career readiness programs serving all 24 state school districts, funded by corporate memberships and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Career Readiness & Employability Skills (Resume, Interview, Networking) (EDAMAKAG), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ)

Keywords

• College readiness programs
• Career exploration services
• Workforce development programs
• K-12 education partnerships
• Nonprofit education coalition

Headquarters

HQ city

Towson

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Memberships and Donations: MBRT operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition of leading Maryland businesses. The organization is funded through membership fees from corporate partners and public donations. The website references donation capabilities through GiveLively platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MBRT delivers a portfolio of college and career readiness programs for Maryland high school students, anchored by the Next Generation Scholars program (operating in five counties with on-site coordinators at six high schools), the Student Ambassador Leadership Program, and the Speakers Bureau volunteer-driven career exploration program. Supplemental offerings include College Bootcamp, One2One Mentorship, Summer of Service, NextGen NextLevel Leadership Conference, Industry Day, Career Tours, Mock Interviews, and Financial Literacy Education, all provided at no cost to students, schools, and families and funded through corporate membership fees and donations.

Product overview

Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (MBRT) is a nonprofit coalition of leading businesses offering a comprehensive portfolio of youth education and workforce development programs. The core offerings include the Next Generation Scholars program, Student Ambassador Leadership Program, and Speakers Bureau/Career Exploration Program. These are supported by specialized modules including College Bootcamp (application preparation), One2One Mentorship Program (alumni mentoring), Summer of Service (community engagement), NextGen NextLevel Leadership Conference (summer bridge), Industry Day (career exploration), Career Tours, Mock Interviews, and Financial Literacy Education. Additional programs include The 24: Maryland's Emerging Scholars award and the Way To Be publication. Together, these programs serve students across Maryland's 24 school districts, focusing on college access, career readiness, and workforce development through partnerships with businesses, educators, and higher education institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Next Generation Scholars (NGS) A comprehensive college and career readiness program serving high school students in five Maryland counties (Kent, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, and Allegany) with on-site staff at six high schools. Provides college application support, financial aid guidance, career exploration, mentorship, and programming to help students achieve ABC recognition (93% attendance, no behavioral infractions, 2.5+ GPA).
• Student Ambassador Leadership Program A year-long leadership development program for exceptional students representing multiple Maryland counties. Ambassadors engage in Industry Day events, STEM advocacy, and Youth Congress Day in Annapolis. Now in its seventh year, the program equips young leaders with tools for academic and professional success.
• Speakers Bureau | Career Exploration Program A volunteer program connecting business professionals with middle and high school students across all 24 Maryland districts. Since 2005, volunteers share career journeys and inspire students to explore career pathways, strengthening and diversifying the talent pipeline. Full training and support is provided to volunteers.
• College Bootcamp A focused summer experience helping rising seniors prepare for their senior year, held each August and aligned with the Common Application release. The 2-3 half-day sessions include building college lists, understanding financial aid, drafting essays, and starting applications. In 2025, 75% of participants reported already knowing 3-5 colleges they planned to apply to.
• One2One Mentorship Program A mentorship initiative pairing high school juniors and seniors with MBRT alumni mentors currently enrolled at Salisbury University. The program provides guidance on goal-setting, personal growth, application preparation, and real-world skill development through bi-weekly sessions and interactive workshops covering financial aid, scholarships, resume building, interview skills, and networking.
• Summer of Service A summer service-learning program connecting students with hands-on community service opportunities to fulfill Maryland's 75-hour service-learning graduation requirement while building skills in leadership, teamwork, and empathy. Projects include environmental stewardship, campus beautification, police camps, and youth instruction.
• NextGen NextLevel Leadership Conference A two-day summer bridge leadership conference for graduating high school seniors and aspiring young leaders. Features career fairs, interactive workshops on education, career, life hacks and self-exploration, networking with professionals, and overnight dorm accommodations at college campuses including Loyola University Maryland.
• Industry Day A hands-on career exploration event providing students with insights into industries and career paths. Features interactive stations presented by engineering firms and companies, with hands-on STEM demonstrations and opportunities to connect with business leaders.
• Career Tours In-person tours of local businesses and workplaces where sophomores learn about education requirements and typical workdays. Tours include visits to manufacturing plants, offices, hotels, emergency services, and educational institutions, helping students picture themselves in various careers.
• Mock Interviews Interview preparation program helping students update resumes, practice interpersonal communication skills, and prepare for employment. Includes volunteer employers who provide on-the-spot feedback to help students refine interviewing skills.
• Financial Literacy Education Educational programming helping seniors understand the difference between loans and credit. College-bound students learn about various types of loans and how they work within the college financial aid process. Includes virtual financial aid nights with college financial aid professionals.
• The 24: Maryland's Emerging Scholars An annual award program celebrating students excelling in leadership, academic achievement, and community engagement from each of Maryland's 24 counties and Baltimore City. The Student Ambassador Program offers a pathway for students to qualify for this prestigious recognition, in partnership with The Daily Record.
• Way To Be Magazine An award-winning magazine serving as a roadmap for students investigating career and college pathways. Published annually in partnership with The Daily Record, featuring stories of Maryland professionals and career exploration resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 757 students achieved ABC recognition in 2025-2026 school year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Towson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term institutional partner providing membership and support. Towson University hosts MBRT Annual Meetings and students visit campus for college tours. MBRT Board member Dr. Vernon Hurte serves as Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at Towson University.
• Salisbury UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for College Bootcamp sessions, on-site admissions events, and campus visits. MBRT alumni attend Salisbury University and serve as mentors.
• Washington CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for College Bootcamp sessions and partner for college visits. Students from the program attend Washington College.
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for engineering programs and college visits. Partner since 2019 for hands-on engineering experience events. MBRT alumni attend UMES including Nick Oeschler who now leads engineering demonstrations as a student presenter.
• Goucher CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for College Bootcamp sessions, including inaugural post-pandemic in-person bootcamp in August 2021.
• Kaiser PermanentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Industry Day 2024 at Lutherville-Timonium facility. Provided immersive healthcare career exploration including tours of clinics, urgent care, pharmacies, labs, and specialty departments. Nearly 70 students participated.
• BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRT member company whose executive (Michael Cloyd, SVP, CFO and Treasurer) serves as Board Chair. BGE is doubling down on commitment to education and workforce development.
• KPMGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRT member firm. Office Managing Partner Christine Aspell served as Board Chair for 3 years before becoming Board chairperson emeritus.
• Pepco HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRT member company whose executive (Morgan O'Donnell, SVP, CFO and Treasurer) serves as Board Treasurer.
• Venable LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging Partner Charles J. Morton Jr. elected to Board of Directors in June 2026. Firm provides legal perspective and is active in law, technology development, and civic causes.
• Capitol Technology UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident Dr. Bradford L. Sims elected to Board of Directors in June 2026. First in Maryland to offer Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees in AI. Provides independent higher education perspective.
• The Daily RecordcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-partner for 'The 24: Maryland's Emerging Scholars' award program. Managing Director Suzanne Fischer-Huettner serves as continuing Vice Chair of MBRT Board.
• Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAligned partner for Guaranteed Access Grant prequalification process for NGS students. MBRT coordinates with MHEC to help students access need-based financial aid.
• AECOMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm that participated in Industry Day 2025, presenting interactive STEM station at the Engineers Club of Baltimore.
• Northrop GrummanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm that participated in Industry Day 2025 with interactive STEM station. Also print sponsor for the event.
• Whiting-TurnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering/construction firm that participated in Industry Day 2025, presenting interactive STEM station at the Engineers Club of Baltimore.
• Dixon ValveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm that participated in Industry Day 2025, presenting interactive STEM station at the Engineers Club of Baltimore.
• Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering/technology firm that participated in Industry Day 2025, presenting interactive STEM station. MBRT coordinating first-time college visits with JHU.
• Delmarva PowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company hosting career tours for Wicomico County students at Training Center in Salisbury. Students explored careers in electric/gas operations, customer care, and field engineering.
• Loyola University MarylandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for NextGen NextLevel 2025 leadership conference. Provided overnight dorm accommodations for students.
• Chesapeake CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for College Bootcamp sessions in Cambridge Center location for Dorchester County students.
• College of Southern MarylandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial sponsor of NextGen NextLevel 2025 leadership conference.
• The Engineers Club of BaltimorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor and host venue for Industry Day and Annual Meeting 2025. Also part of Engineers Week Council.
• Blueprint for Maryland's FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education reform initiative that MBRT programming aligns with. District career coaches provided through Blueprint partner with MBRT staff to deliver programming.
• Edifying TeachersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner organization whose logo appears on MBRT website.
• GBMC HealthCareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner whose logo appears on MBRT website.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• iMentor: National nonprofit pairing high school students with college-educated mentors for college access and persistence support. Closely aligned with MBRT's One2One Mentorship Program launched January 2026, including similar pairings of high schoolers with college-enrolled mentors and curriculum on college readiness.
• Bottom Line: National nonprofit providing one-on-one college access and success advising to students from low-income backgrounds — directly comparable to MBRT's NGS and One2One Mentorship programs. Uses a similar model of dedicated advisors/coordinators embedded in target schools and tracks comparable outcomes (college enrollment, persistence).
• Junior Achievement USA: National nonprofit connecting K-12 students with business volunteers for career exploration, financial literacy, and workforce readiness — directly analogous to MBRT's Speakers Bureau, Career Tours, and Financial Literacy Education programs. Operates a parallel business-education coalition model with local JA areas.
• AVID Center: National nonprofit that delivers college readiness curricula embedded in K-12 schools with a focus on first-generation students. Directly comparable to MBRT's Next Generation Scholars and College Bootcamp programs, with similar school-embedded coordinator model and college-readiness outcomes focus.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit bridging young adults to corporate careers via training and internships. Comparable in connecting Maryland employers (Kaiser Permanente, BGE-adjacent employers) with students for career exposure and pipeline development, though focused on older youth and postsecondary job placement.
• America's Promise Alliance: National cross-sector alliance focused on youth development and pathways to economic opportunity, with significant overlap to MBRT's coalition-of-employers model and career-readiness mission. Operates more broadly across education, workforce, and youth development rather than MBRT's state-specific K-12 focus.
• National College Attainment Network (NCAN): National membership association for organizations (including MBRT) running college access and success programs. Comparable as a peer/umbrella organization focused on FAFSA completion, college access for low-income students, and outcomes measurement — overlapping MBRT's MHEC-aligned financial aid work.
• College Board: National nonprofit providing SAT, AP, and BigFuture college and career readiness programming. Highly comparable to MBRT in mission (college access and career readiness for high schoolers) but operates at national scale with a testing and curriculum model rather than MBRT's embedded state-coalition model.

Regional players

• tnAchieves: Tennessee state-based college access and mentorship nonprofit operating a near-identical model to MBRT — pairing high school students with volunteer mentors for college and career readiness. Strongest single-state peer comparable, differing only in geography (Tennessee vs Maryland).

Others

• NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling): Professional membership organization for college admission counselors that provides standards, training, and policy advocacy aligned with MBRT's college-readiness mission. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler that shapes the college-access environment in which MBRT operates, rather than as a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/MarylandBusinessRoundtableforEducation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@marylandbusinessroundtable9163
• Facebookfacebook.com/MarylandBusinessRoundtableforEducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maryland-business-roundtable-for-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/mbrtforeducation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Maryland Business Roundtable for Education