Join us for Startup Bazaar: University of Maryland. With a focus on AI, quantum computing, biosciences and medtech, the event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and industry leaders to explore the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future.
Hosted at the Robert H. Smith School of Business on April 12, this event is part of the American Bazaar’s signature Startup Bazaar series, which has successfully connected startup ecosystems at leading universities and business hubs across the U.S. and internationally.
Whether you’re a startup founder, investor, student, or simply passionate about innovation, this event offers a unique platform to learn, connect, and gain valuable industry insights.
Designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, this event brings together early-stage entrepreneurs, aspiring founders, and students for an immersive experience in the startup ecosystem.
✅ Engaging panel discussions: Hear from top experts in biotech, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing as they discuss breakthroughs, challenges, and market opportunities.
✅ Keynote address – Gain insights from a visionary leader driving innovation in these transformative fields.
✅ Startup Showcase: Discover emerging startups at the forefront of AI, biotech, and quantum technology.
✅ Networking opportunities: Connect with founders, VCs, industry executives, and students in a dynamic environment designed for collaboration and growth.
Lieutenant Governor, Maryland
Aruna K. Miller is the 10th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Maryland. She is the second woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor and the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in Maryland.
Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, Miller and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 7 years old. The daughter of a mechanical engineer, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Miller has devoted her life to public service and removing systemic barriers to opportunity.
Secretary of Higher Education, Maryland
Dr. Sanjay Rai is a higher education champion with more than 30 years of experience in faculty and leadership positions at a community college, liberal arts university, and state supported institution. He is recognized for his work globally as a faculty member, scholar, and leader.
His work has resulted in greater access, student success, and closing achievement gaps. He led the development of partnerships with K-12 along with business and industry, resulting in the creation of early college and new academic and training programs serving Cyber, Biotech, Information Technology, and Data Sciences. His work in this field also resulted in securing $25 million dollars in competitive grants to address the high-tech needs in the region and the state.
He has numerous publications including scholarly articles and his most recent book, “Basic Insights in Vector Calculus” published in 2020. He has been honored with numerous awards throughout his career, including Chief Academic Officer of the Year, Leadership Montgomery Outstanding Leader Award, and Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Rai’s education includes degrees from India, Canada, and the United States, earning a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Secretary of Department of General Services
Atif Chaudhry brings two decades of experience in state service to the position, previously serving at the Maryland Department of Health, most notably as the Deputy Secretary of Operations since August 2020. As a proven manager, he oversaw many facets of the Health Department such as, the MDH Healthcare System, the Office of Facilities Management and Development, the Office of Preparedness and Response, the Secured Transport and Investigation Unit, and the Office of Contract Management and Procurement. Prior to this role, Chaudhry served as the Director of the Office of Facilities Management and Development, and Director of the Office of Capital Planning, Budgeting, and Engineering Services where he oversaw the planning, maintenance, repair, design, renovation, and construction of all the healthcare facilities and administrative locations for the Maryland Department of Health. Chaudhry also played a pivotal role throughout Maryland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chaudhry, a resident of Ellicott City, holds two degrees from the University of Baltimore, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. He also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law and is an active member of the Maryland Bar.
Dean, Dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business
Prabhudev Konana is Dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. He leads Maryland Smith in its mission to promote research excellence, sustainable innovative programs, and an inclusive learning environment that fosters intellectual discovery, and equip current and future leaders to assess complex problems and deliver innovative solutions.
Konana previously served as Associate Dean of Instructional Innovation at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. The school has recognized him for successfully leading a transition of its entire faculty to hybrid and online synchronous teaching.
Konana’s research analyzes the value of social networks and sentiments, and business value of IT. His work includes “Competition among Virtual Communities and User Valuation,” which received a Best Paper Award from Information Systems Research. His teaching accomplishments are recognized in part through a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for exemplifying the role of teacher-scholars through research and education.
Konana holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from the University of Mysore in India, a Master of Business Administration degree, and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, Tucson.
Dingman-Lamone Center
Michael Hoffmeyer is the Managing Director of Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship at Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.
Before joining Dingman, Hoffmeyer founded the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at his alma mater, the University of Memphis, where he spent a decade championing entrepreneurship and delivering social and financial impact to ensure the center's long-term sustainability. He is a passionate thought leader in inclusive entrepreneurship and still enjoys personally helping diverse entrepreneurs develop confidence, self-efficacy, and competencies while also providing experienced insights into innovation, strategy, and leadership to help strengthen their business models.
Hoffmeyer has served as a lead judge in the Memphis Business Journal's Small Business Awards for eight years, helped raise over $52M in venture capital for Memphis students, and was a recognized thought leader in the Memphis entrepreneurial ecosystem. He founded the ImagineU Summer Accelerator Program at Memphis, raising money to pay students a stipend to participate in the program, providing a level playing field for students regardless of socioeconomic status. Hoffmeyer was known for championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entrepreneurship space and was frequently sought out to partner on DE&I initiatives across the campus and ecosystem. Prior to his higher education experience, Hoffmeyer served as executive or co-founder in five startups, two of which he successfully exited.
Hoffmeyer holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies, a Master's of Public Administration, and a graduate certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Memphis. He lives in College Park, enjoys spending time with family, watching lacrosse and soccer, and plays the occasional video game.
Advisor and board member
Dr. Satyam Priyadarshy is a transformational leader renowned for his significant contributions to industry, education, and research. As a pioneer in Quantum Mechanics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Digital Transformation, Dr. Priyadarshy has reshaped these fields.
Notably, he was the first Chief Data Scientist in the Oil and Gas/Energy Industry. He previously served as Technology Fellow and Chief Data Scientist at Halliburton and has held senior roles at Acxiom Corporation, Network Solutions, AOL, and others.
Dr. Priyadarshy is the CoE-OGE Visiting Chair Professor at the Center of Oil, Gas, and Energy at IIT Bombay, India. He is also an adjunct/visiting professor at several universities & institutes in the USA, India, and other countries. He is an advisor, investor, and board advisor for several emerging technology companies in the United States, India, and Switzerland.
His work has been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including Chemical & Engineering News, The Scientist, Silicon India, Oil Review Middle East, Petroleum Review, World, Journal of Petroleum Technology, RigZone, & Forbes. His contributions have also been highlighted in several books by O’Reilly. He has received numerous industry accolades & has appeared in media outlets such as Forbes, CNBC, DEW Journal, and CXO Talk. He has delivered over 150 keynote talks globally & is the author of over 56 papers and ten patents. He was named the 2021-2022 Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Distinguished Lecturer.
Startup and Gen AI/AI expert
Ravindra Shukla, a startup and Gen AI/AI expert, is the Managing Director, AI and Advanced Analytics, at Syneos Health.
Previously, he served as the Vice President of Big Data and Advanced Analytics at Incedo Inc. and as the Director of Big Data and Advanced Analytics at CenturyLink Cognilytics.
Shukla is a visionary AI executive with over 20 years of global leadership experience in Big Data, Data Science, AI, and Generative AI, driving enterprise-wide AI strategies for organizations across Life Sciences, Healthcare, Finance, and hi-tech sectors. He is renowned for spearheading innovative AI platforms, fostering data-driven cultures, and delivering transformative business outcomes through cutting-edge technology.
Shukla earned his Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Bombay) in 1993.
President, Ampcus
Salil has a successful track record of driving revenue growth for organizations including experience in mergers and acquisitions and business development. In this role, he is charged with leading Ampcus as it grows to meet expanding market needs and maintaining its leadership position in the Federal, State, Local, and commercial markets. He is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and future vision of Ampcus, and ensuring the portfolio of IT services offered is kept in sync with customer demands.
He brings along with him a vast experience of over 20 years in sales, financial and operational management.
Before joining Ampcus, Salil held executive and senior management positions at other small to large organizations. He holds an MBA in Finance and a Master’s in Management. He is an alumnus of the Delhi University in India. He also holds an Advanced Post Graduate in systems and management.
Westminster Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Gajan Mahendiran, who received his MD from New York Medicinal College, is the Founder of Westminster Pharmaceuticals.
His career in medicine and experience treating patients with a wide range of ailments instilled in him a passion for bringing affordable, high-quality pharmaceuticals to the American public. He brings years of education in pharmacology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, pathology, and physiology to his role as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer.
Along with his highly experienced Westminster Team, Dr. Mahendiran continues to bring value in scientific and business growth.
Founder, AutoNebula
Sanjay is a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of founding multiple companies and achieving successful exits. He is the Founder & Chairman of AutoNebula, an investment firm specializing in connected transport startups that foster collaboration between the United States and India, the Co-Founder of ACEL360, a prominent accelerator dedicated to enhancing the growth and enterprise value of small and mid-sized Federal contractors.
Beyond his business ventures, Sanjay is a popular host, leading conversations on two popular podcasts. In the "Indianness Podcast," he delves into insightful discussions with high-performing Indians and Indian Americans. In "Regulating AI," Sanjay tackles complex questions surrounding the regulation of artificial intelligence, engaging with world leaders to explore strategies that balance innovation and regulatory oversight effectively.
Sanjay is also the founder of USINPAC, an influential organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Indian American community.
VU Capital
Rohit is a business strategist with a keen interest in geopolitics. Rohit’s professional work spans two decades of emerging technology development and innovation in telecom, the broader internet infrastructure space and a range of emerging enterprise technologies that span the functional gamut. He has advised emerging growth company leaders to achieve their strategic milestones. Rohit has also collaborated extensively with policymakers and civil society leaders across various policy areas. He enjoys exploring the nexus of business and policy through the prism of societal value and the leadership that nurtures it. Rohit derives his greatest professional fulfilment by working with thoughtful leaders on ideas with transformative power. Rohit is also an experienced public speaker, moderator and curator.
Rohit has an MBA and degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland. He has also taught globalization as an adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business.
CTO, Global Alliant
BayCare Health System
Dr. Shelby Kutty is the System Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at BayCare Health System, based in Clearwater, FL. In that role, he oversees the quality and academic integrity of educational and research programs at BayCare, and provides visionary leadership to drive academic excellence, partnerships, and continuous improvement.
He previously served as the Helen B. Taussig Professor and Director of the Taussig Heart Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine. A world-renowned expert in cardiovascular imaging, he has co-authored more than 440 articles in major peer-reviewed journals, over 380 scientific abstracts and 10 book chapters. He serves as Associate Editor for two leading cardiology journals, and on numerous hospital, health system, and national committees.
Dr. Kutty holds a master’s degree in healthcare management from Harvard University, training in artificial intelligence from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is an Aresty Scholar of the Wharton School. He is also part of global healthcare ventures in India, Brazil and the Middle East.
Precision Theranostics
Dr. Neeraj Vij is the Founder and CEO of Precision Theranostics Inc, which is focused on developing novel diagnostics for prognosis-based early intervention. He is also the Founder and CEO of Vij Biotech, a CRO leading clinical development for startups and collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and top-tier hospitals.
Dr. Vij received his PhD in biotechnology from Indian Institute of Technology in 2001. He completed his postdoctoral research at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHU SOM). He received professional certification in Drug and Medical Device Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pediatrics, Pulmonary Medicine and Institutes of NanoBiotechnology and Global Health at JHU before moving to CMU as an Associate Professor. He continues to serve as Adjunct Associate Professor at JHU.
CEO, Ziva
Cofounder, Oncovana
Bhakthi Sahgal is the cofounder of Oncovana, a digital platform that provides accessible, quality fertility services for newly diagnosed cancer patients who wish to preserve their fertility. A doctoral scholar at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health, she worked as a legislative fellow in the office of Congresswoman Lois Capps. She received her Master’s degree in Public Health from George Washington University and her BA in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia. Originally from Oregon, Bhakthi worked at community health clinics in her home state and in Philadelphia.
Founder & CEO, Tarika Group
Sachin Agrawal brings over twenty-five years of experience in managing innovation, developing solutions, and optimizing complex business processes in Business and Technology Architecture. His leadership, exceptional communication skills, technical expertise, and industry experience have consistently delivered extraordinary results for his firm and clients.
As the founder and CEO of Tarika Tech (Tarika Group Inc.), Mr. Agrawal established the company to support small to mid-sized businesses as a virtual Chief Information Officer (CIO). Under his leadership, Tarika Tech has evolved into a process-oriented global company with a presence in India and the United States, along with channel partners in West Africa and the Middle East.
Tarika Tech is a Managed Services Provider with three major divisions: Technology Infrastructure Management, Digital Media & Creative Solutions, and Custom Software Solutions. The company has successfully implemented its virtual CIO model for key clients, including leading companies in offshore wind energy, renewable energy through ocean currents, and a video production management company in Maryland. Additionally, Tarika Tech has provided technology and communications infrastructure for a European embassy in New Delhi and conducted an enterprise assessment for the International Crisis Group, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The company has launched several ERP and CMS products, extending applications to mobile platforms. An enterprise application developed by Tarika for a startup client was recently acquired by a publicly listed multi-billion-dollar company.
In 2022, Tarika launched EBIMS Studio, a product for the media broadcasting domain that enables radio and TV stations to manage their workflows, including traffic scheduling, billing, CRM, and studio broadcast management.
This product is currently live in West Africa, used by major media houses.
In 2016, Agrawal was invited to perform a comprehensive business and technology assessment for a multi-practice doctor’s office in Switzerland, which was later acquired in a high-value transaction. He also served as the technical advisor and lead architect for the “CRIES” product, launched in mid-2016 for crisis centers.
Agrawal serves as the consulting CIO for a leading firm in Washington, D.C., providing acquisition support services and Medical OI&T to the government, and offering real estate, facility management, and professional services in the commercial sector. He was also the Contract CIO for a private lending business, where he designed a complete end-to-end solution and infrastructure. Previously, he served as CIO for FAN USA (Filmmakers Association of Nigeria) and Black Ivory Communications, working closely with industry leaders to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Nollywood, culminating in several film releases, including a premiere at the Kennedy Center.
In 2014, Mr. Agrawal invested in and advised a start-up contact center in India, providing back-office support services to clients in the US, Australia, and India. His interest in international business has led to global alliances, including the sourcing, manufacturing, and branding of FoooIt, an aerosol air duster product launched in both the US and India, now available in major e-commerce stores.
Before founding Tarika Tech, Mr. Agrawal was the Director of Information Technology at a prominent infrastructure management firm in the DC area, providing IT consulting services to corporations and government organizations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. His areas of expertise include managing business processes, enterprise architecture, infrastructure management, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and developing secure distributed applications.
Agrawal’s innovative approach has resulted in a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a client. He holds a Master of Science in Information Architecture with highest honors, a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and an Associate’s degree in Computer Engineering Technology from Capitol Technology University in Laurel, Maryland.
Chargerzilla
Sajith Kumar is the Founder & CEO of Chargerzilla, an AI-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging marketplace.
Launched in early 2023, the community-focused platform simplifies EV charging. Backed by Techstars and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, we’re connecting Property (home and commercial) owners, Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and businesses to EV owners expanding EV charging infrastructure, accelerating EV adoption and decarbonization.
With a user base exceeding 200,000 EV owners and experiencing rapid month-over-month growth, Chargerzilla is disrupting the EV charging industry to make it efficient, reliable and accessible.
President, AM Technologies
Asif Mooppan serves as the President of AM Technologies Inc., a U.S.-based technology firm with a 30-year history in the telecom and broadband monitoring equipment sector. He is also the founder and CEO of Vuelogix, a company specializing in AI and IoT solutions. Asif bootstrapped Vuelogix and expanded it into a 75-employee enterprise before it was acquired by AM Technologies. He currently oversees the product and technology strategies for the company. Before founding Vuelogix, Asif was the co-founder and CTO of Carinov, a company focused on digital media narrowcasting and audience measurement through computer vision, which was eventually acquired by AGS Technologies Ltd.
Angelina Teig is a sophomore at American University pursuing a Business Administration Major with a Specialization in Marketing and a Minor in Legal Studies. She has a passion for empowering businesses through innovation, collaboration, and empathy.
Discover the next wave of innovation at the Startup Showcase, where some of the most promising startups in AI, biotech and quantum fields take center stage. It will highlight groundbreaking ventures across diverse industries, offering a glimpse into the future of entrepreneurship in Virginia. Founders will share their journeys, challenges, and insights as they pitch their startups to investors, industry leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, investor, or innovation enthusiast, this session is your opportunity to witness the cutting edge of Virginia’s startup ecosystem.
Get ready to hear from top venture capitalists, successful startup founders, industry leaders, and innovation experts who have built and scaled groundbreaking ventures. Our lineup includes seasoned investors sharing fundraising strategies, visionary CEOs revealing their entrepreneurial journeys, and high-level executives offering expert insights into market trends and business growth.
Startup Bazaar offers a vibrant platform where startup founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and early-stage innovators can engage with industry leaders who have forged remarkable success in the entrepreneurial landscape. Join us to gain invaluable insights, network with seasoned professionals, and ignite your entrepreneurial journey.
Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative startup? Here’s your chance to showcase your venture at the Startup Showcase! If you want your startup to be featured, reach out to us with your details. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain visibility, connect with investors, and engage with industry leaders. Our email ID is events@americanbazaaronline.com
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
7621 Mowatt Ln, College Park, MD 20742
United States
Name: Anil Prayag
Phone: 240-614-1627
Email: anil@americanbazaaronline.com