Applicants compete for $100,000 in one of three categories – IT Hardware/Software, Life Sciences and General - open to all industries nationwide.

Join in the competition and get your early-stage business in front of Maryland's leading companies, academicians and venture firms. Application deadline is December 13, 2012.

Find more information, full qualifications and access the application at InvestMarylandChallenge.org

Here's a quick peak at a few companies that have already applied:

• Omic Biosystems, Inc.| Rockville
  Provider of high-quality enabling products, technologies, and services to the omics community
• Knee Bouncers | Sykesville
  Children's interactive learning app developer
• Parking Panda | Baltimore
  Mobile community marketplace for parking
• Direct Dimensions, Inc. | Owings Mills
  Laser scanning, reverse engineering, and digital modeling services, products, and training
• StudyHall | Washington, DC
  Social network for college students to share class lecture notes

Watch a recap of Governor Martin O'Malley and Secretary Christian Johansson announcing the challenge below.