The Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic (IPEC) at Maryland Carey Law held a virtual Business Entity Considerations and IP workshop in conjunction with TEDCO’s BRIDGE program on October 24, 2025. TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation), an independent instrumentality of the State of Maryland, that identifies, invests in and helps grow technology and life sciences companies across the state. TEDCO’s recently created BRIDGE program (Business Resource Information, Development, and Guidance Ecosystem) connects Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI)-owned businesses and Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with fewer than 10 employees to legal, accounting and financial advisory services.
Twenty-nine individuals attended the workshop which covered factors that entrepreneurs should consider in creating a business entity as well as early-stage intellectual property matters. IPEC student attorney Sophia Skorup presented information about innovations and patenting, IPEC student attorney Massa Sitta discussed trademarks and branding, and IPEC clinical law instructor Oliver Edwards talked about business entity considerations. Another IPEC-BRIDGE workshop is planned for Spring semester.
Reflecting on the event Skorup said, “Preparing for and presenting material on considerations for inventors helped me better understand the practical realities that early-stage founders may consider when they pursue patent protections for their inventions.” Massa Sitta, another participant, echoed Skorup's sentiment saying, "The workshop provided an invaluable opportunity for me to directly apply my knowledge gained throughout my clinical experiences in a public forum, offering practical resources to the entrepreneurial community. Speaking with entrepreneurs about matters that can have a lasting impact on the success of their endeavors reminded me of my passion for intellectual property law and client education."