Applications are now being accepted for the BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition, returning as part of the 12th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Week, taking place September 15, 16, and 17, 2026, at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland. Apply today at https://bit.ly/CrabTrap2026.
The Crab Trap Competition highlights promising early-stage biohealth companies developing new technologies, products, and solutions across therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, research tools, and other areas of life sciences innovation. Each year, the competition gives selected entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their companies in front of experienced investors, industry leaders, subject matter experts, and regional ecosystem partners.
Five finalists will be selected to pitch live during BioHealth Capital Region Week. Each finalist will deliver a seven-minute company presentation, followed by a three-minute question-and-answer session with the judges. The format gives entrepreneurs a focused opportunity to explain the problem they are solving, the strength of their technology, market opportunity, commercialization strategy, management team, funding progress, and key milestones.
The competition is open to companies preparing for growth, investment, strategic partnerships, or broader market engagement. Applicants should be ready to provide materials that may include a technology overview, market description, intellectual property landscape, competitive advantage, management structure and experience, funding to date, company milestones, financial plan, executive summary, and company presentation deck.
Prizes for this year’s competition are currently being finalized and will be announced soon. As in past years, the prize package is expected to include a combination of cash awards and professional services designed to support the winning company’s continued progress.
The Crab Trap has become a signature platform for showcasing emerging biohealth companies from across the region and beyond. Previous participants and winners include companies such as Perfusion Medical, Linshom Medical, Luminoah, Neuroene Therapeutics, Nanochon, BrainScope, Floreo, LifeSprout, and Sonavex. These companies reflect the range of innovation represented through the competition, from medical devices and digital health to tissue engineering, neurological technologies, respiratory monitoring, surgical tools, and therapeutic platforms.
For entrepreneurs, the Crab Trap offers more than a pitch opportunity. It provides visibility within one of the nation’s leading biohealth hubs, direct exposure to investors and strategic partners, and a chance to connect with leaders who can help advance promising companies toward their next stage of growth.
Companies interested in competing are encouraged to apply now at https://bit.ly/CrabTrap2026. Finalists will be selected in advance of BioHealth Capital Region Week and invited to present live during the Crab Trap Competition on September 16, 2026.
The BioHealth Capital Region, spanning Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., has once again been named one of the nation’s Top 3 biopharma clusters by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), marking the region’s fourth consecutive year in the Top 3.
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Neal Piper, Founder and CEO of Luminoah, returns to share a major milestone in the company’s journey: FDA clearance for Luminoah Flow.
Neal Piper has devoted his career to advancing healthcare and expanding access to life-saving innovation across the U.S., Africa, and Asia. He began in Pfizer’s Neuroscience Division before joining the Global Health Fellows Program, later serving as President of its Alumni Business Network, where he united 350 leaders and scientists to strengthen healthcare systems worldwide. He went on to expand healthcare programs in 18 countries with Population Services International and founded multiple ventures, including a home healthcare company. As the founding CEO of the Presidential Precinct, he empowered emerging and world leaders driving change in government, entrepreneurship, and civil society. Guided by a belief in the power of innovation to improve lives, Neal now leads Luminoah with a mission to create meaningful, lasting change in healthcare.
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Sam Gussman-Toh, Portfolio Manager for the Small Business Program at ARPA-H, joins the conversation to discuss how the agency is creating new pathways for small businesses developing ambitious health technologies.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) congratulates Prashant Panchal, MS, MBA, a member of the BHI Board of Directors, on his recent promotion at AstraZeneca from Director to Senior Director. His new business title is Head of Portfolio, Capacity and Business Operations.
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Jared Smith, MBA, CEcD, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, joins the conversation to discuss his new role leading economic development efforts in one of the nation’s most important biohealth markets.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) is pleased to announce the addition of Caroline Popper and Julie Wilkinson as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs). Together, they bring decades of experience across medical technology, diagnostics, digital health, commercialization strategy, FDA pathways, manufacturing, corporate development, and venture-building.
BALTIMORE, Md., May 12, 2026 — The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) hosted its 3rd Annual Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Tech Showcase on April 30, 2026, at City Garage in Baltimore, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, including a keynote by Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, to highlight Maryland’s growing leadership in regenerative medicine. The event showcased companies such as Nanochon, Theradaptive, and Seraxis, and drew investors and advisors from J.P. Morgan, Anzu Partners, SOSV, and Newpath Partners, among others.
Rich Bendis, Founder, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), was recently featured in PharmaBoardroom for a conversation on the growth of the BioHealth Capital Region and the role BHI plays in helping life sciences companies move from promising ideas to real commercial opportunities.
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Ellen D. Harpel, Ph.D., Founder of Smart Incentives, joins the conversation to explore a topic that has shaped the growth of the BioHealth Capital Region but has rarely been discussed directly on the podcast: economic development incentives. Ellen explains why state and local governments use incentives, how they influence business location and expansion decisions, and why effective programs need clear goals, active management, performance measures, and public accountability.