European Trade Mission Sparks Global Cyber Ties

Howard County Economic Development Authority recently led a successful 11-day European trade mission to foster international collaboration and explore export opportunities for our cybersecurity/IT sector. The delegation, which included Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, visited Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom, and facilitated partnerships, encouraged foreign direct investment (FDI), and promoted trade.

The delegation also included Dr. Daria Willis, President of Howard Community College (HCC), HCEDA Board Chair Marcellous Frye and executives from three cyber companies – TeamWorx Security, HOPR and IntelliGenesis.

Rich in Cyber Assets

Howard County is also home to nearly 300 cybersecurity companies. Many work directly with the federal government to keep the United States safe from cyber threats. We are home to Howard Community College, which is actively building a Workforce Training Center dedicated to equipping our future leaders with the skills needed in this rapidly evolving field. This initiative aligns with our mission to prepare a talent pipeline that meets the demands of both local and international markets.

The region boasts one of the most skilled and rapidly growing cybersecurity workforces in the world, with nearly 160,000 workers employed in the sector. This is more than the combined numbers in New York City, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco.

The cybersecurity sector is not just about defense; it’s about creating an environment of trust and resilience that fosters economic growth. As we’ve seen, cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, affecting businesses and governments alike. This underscores the importance of collaboration across borders—sharing insights, resources, and strategies.

Through strategic partnerships established during this mission, Howard County is building a pipeline for its cybersecurity sector to explore foreign markets, particularly in Five Eyes and NATO member countries. This proactive approach fosters new opportunities for Howard County businesses to collaborate internationally and access new markets.

Germany – Participation in It-Sa

The delegation commenced its mission in Nuremberg, attending IT-Sa Expo&Congress, the world’s largest cybersecurity conference.

Due to Howard County’s strategic contributions to the cybersecurity landscape, County Executive Ball was invited to speak and presented a keynote titled, “Exploring U.S. Market Entry: A Gateway to the Capital Region’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem,” emphasizing Howard County’s position as a leader in cybersecurity and innovation.

While at It-sa, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between HCEDA’s Maryland Innovation Center, Howard County Government and IT-Sicherheitscluster e.V., cementing a collaborative framework for cybersecurity initiatives.

Ireland – Celebrating 100 Years of Partnership & Prosperity

Time in Dublin was marked by attendance at the U.S. – Ireland Economic Summit, a celebration of a century of friendship and collaboration between our two nations.

The group also visited Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), an incubation center, met with their entrepreneurs and discussed fostering connections with Howard County’s business ecosystem.

In Galway, a roundtable discussion with Galway City officials and Platform94, an international scaling center of excellence, set the stage for future collaborations in the tech and health sectors, with a focus on Howard County’s Global Gateway program.

United Kingdom – Expanding Economic and Academic Networks

In Birmingham, the delegation explored partnerships with Midlands Cyber and Birmingham City University. The visit to STEAMhouse highlighted how innovative spaces can merge arts and technology to repurpose waste into functional products—a concept Howard County is keen to incorporate into its sustainability initiatives.

The journey concluded in Cheltenham, where HCEDA signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with local councils to advance shared interests in cybersecurity, digital technology and workforce development. This LOI is expected to lead to formal agreements that benefit both Howard County and Gloucestershire.

Launch of MIC Global

During the trade mission, the Maryland Innovation Center Global (MIC Global) program was unveiled. This pioneering initiative offers mentorship, business resources and guidance to international businesses considering U.S. market entry. The program aims to streamline market entry by providing virtual support before businesses establish physical operations in Howard County. This announcement was met with strong interest and enthusiasm from European businesses and is poised to expand in the future.

MIC Global also provides resources for Howard County businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of exporting and exploring international markets.  By equipping local businesses with tools to expand their reach and offering international companies a streamlined pathway into the U.S., MIC Global bridges gaps between global and local markets, driving economic growth and innovation.

Academic Collaborations

HCC President Dr. Daria Willis met with leaders at the Technology University of Nuremberg in Germany and Gloucestershire College in Cheltenham, UK to discuss partnership opportunities aimed at developing a future-ready cyber and trades workforce. These visits will set the stage for future student and faculty exchange programs.

“Every opportunity that we can create or in which we can collaborate to broaden the teaching and learning experience not only represents our community’s best interests, but those of people and nations around the globe,” said Dr. Willis. “We are best in class in industries ranging from healthcare to hospitality, cybersecurity to construction management, and education to early childcare. The world is taking notice of the quality of our programs and graduates, and we invite them to see and learn more about what we have to offer.”

Industry Response and Future Steps

TeamWorx Security, IntelliGenesis and HOPR forged relationships with government officials and other companies on the trip.

Chris Anthony, Founder & CEO of Teamworx Security, noted the strategic value of the trade mission: “The overall trip was a great use of time which led to a solid understanding of potential opportunities to introduce US based cyber security companies and technology to the UK commercial market and the UK government.”

Jeremiah Johnson, COO of IntelliGenesis, highlighted the opportunity to showcase CYBERSPAN®, their innovative AI-driven cybersecurity platform.

“IntelliGenesis, in collaboration with the Howard County Economic Development Authority, showcased CYBERSPAN® in the UK, engaging with key industry leaders to demonstrate how our AI-driven cybersecurity platform empowers companies to detect threats early and secure their operations,” said Jeremiah Johnson, COO, IntelliGenesis. “CYBERSPAN® is designed to give these vital businesses the peace of mind needed to focus on growth without fear of cyber threats and reinforces our commitment to safeguarding businesses that are the backbone of the economy.”

HOPR CEO, Tom McNamara: “The trade mission exceeded expectations. It afforded HOPR the opportunity to efficiently meet prospective future partners, in person, who were best aligned with Hopr capabilities. Introductions and recognition from HCEDA lowered Hopr.co’s barriers to entry in Europe when that time comes.”

As Howard County continues to strengthen its international footprint, these partnerships will pave the way for sustained economic growth, reinforcing the county’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity and innovation.

This successful trade mission reflects HCEDA’s and Howard County’s commitment to fostering global relationships that drive economic growth and innovation. Through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives, Howard County is set to be a thriving gateway for international business and collaboration.