The Incubators @ HCC

Events

The Incubators + Labs at Hagerstown Community College hosts events year-round to connect entrepreneurs with mentors, peers, and the resources they need to grow. Members have three standing monthly opportunities to take advantage of: Business Circle, Pit Sessions, and Office Hours with one of our Entrepreneurs in Residence. Alongside these, we host signature programs throughout the year like the Spark! Innovation and Growth Conference and Spark! Tank Pitch Competition. Browse upcoming events below, and check back often for new additions.
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GenNext- Washington County

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

The Incubators + Labs at Hagerstown Community College welcomes GenNext, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce's young professionals network, for a tour of our facilities. GenNext members will get an inside look at our business incubator, culinary incubator, and research labs, along with the mentorship, training, and networking resources available to entrepreneurs in Washington County. This visit is a great opportunity for the region's emerging leaders to see firsthand how the Incubators + Labs supports business growth in the Tri-State Area.
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AI Fluency Badge

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Monday(s) October 5, 12, 26 and November 9, 16, 23, and 30
12-2pm
*There will be no class on October 19 or Nov 2.

This course introduces entrepreneurs to the technology tools reshaping how small businesses operate and scale. Participants will explore automation to eliminate repetitive tasks and free up time for higher-value work, learn how AI agents can support day-to-day operations and decision-making, and discover strategies for streamlining workflows to boost efficiency across the business. By the end of this course, participants will be equipped to identify the right technology solutions for their business and put them to work.
Topics covered:
i. Automation
ii. Agents
iii. Streamlining Workflow
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Market Like A Boss

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

This course equips entrepreneurs with the tools to build a marketing strategy that reaches the right customers and converts them into loyal buyers. Participants will learn how to conduct a competitor analysis to identify gaps and opportunities in their market, set up marketing automation to save time and stay consistent with outreach, design a customer funnel that guides prospects from first contact to purchase, and select the right marketing channels to maximize reach and return on investment. By the end of this course, participants will have a practical, actionable marketing plan tailored to their business.

Topics covered:
i. Competitor analysis
ii. Marketing automation
iii. Customer funneling
iv. Channel selection
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Office Hours with Ryan Chapin

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Need help working through a business challenge or exploring your next move?

Join Ryan Chapin, co-owner of Hearty Pet for monthly office hours. Receive personalized guidance, fresh perspectives, and practical advice to help move your business forward.

Topics You Can Discuss:
  • Business model and pricing questions
  • Marketing and customer acquisition strategies
  • Funding and financing opportunities
  • Operations and scaling challenges
  • Brainstorming ideas and problem-solving
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October Pit Session

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Agenda
12-12:30pm- Lunch
12:30-12:45pm- Announcements
12:45-1pm- Community Partner
1-2pm- Professional Development

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ServSafe Manager

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

ServSafe Manager is a nationally recognized food safety certification program designed for restaurant and foodservice managers. The course covers essential food safety principles including proper food handling, storage, and preparation; preventing foodborne illness and cross-contamination; personal hygiene standards; temperature control; pest management; and compliance with local, state, and federal health codes. Participants complete a proctored exam at the end of the course, and upon passing, receive a ServSafe Manager Certification — valid for five years — that satisfies food safety certification requirements in most jurisdictions, including for anyone in a supervisory role at a food establishment.

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Business Circle

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

This members-only experience is designed for business owners who are ready to grow with intention, clarity, and support. This is not your typical networking group. It’s a professionally facilitated, monthly advisory circle where you’ll engage in real conversations, work through challenges, and gain valuable perspective from fellow business owners.

Each session is designed to help you:
  • Work through real business challenges
  • Gain insight from experienced peers
  • Strengthen your decision-making and strategy
  • Stay accountable to your goals

The Circle meets the third Tuesday of every month in a focused, supportive environment built around thoughtful leadership and sustainable growth—because running a business shouldn’t feel like something you have to figure out alone. 
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Recipe to Reality

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Recipe to Reality is a training session for food entrepreneurs ready to turn a recipe into a business. Presented by the Incubators + Labs at Hagerstown Community College, Maryland Extension Partnerships and the University of Nebraska Food Processing Center, this session walks through the essential steps of launching a successful food business, including market research, identifying your target customer, and testing feasibility before you scale. We'll cover food safety requirements and FDA regulatory compliance, product and process development, packaging, and labeling. You'll also learn the business fundamentals every food entrepreneur needs: business planning, pricing strategies, and the legal and insurance basics that protect your business from day one. Whether you're just getting started or refining an existing product, this session gives you a clear, practical roadmap from recipe to reality.

This training is open to the public! $75 

For more information or to register, click here
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Office Hours with Ryan Chapin

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Need help working through a business challenge or exploring your next move?

Join Ryan Chapin, co-owner of Hearty Pet for monthly office hours. Receive personalized guidance, fresh perspectives, and practical advice to help move your business forward.

Topics You Can Discuss:
  • Business model and pricing questions
  • Marketing and customer acquisition strategies
  • Funding and financing opportunities
  • Operations and scaling challenges
  • Brainstorming ideas and problem-solving
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November Pit Session

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Agenda
12-12:30pm- Lunch
12:30-12:45pm- Announcements
12:45-1pm- Community Partner
1-2pm- Professional Development

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000
view all events

Business Circle

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

This members-only experience is designed for business owners who are ready to grow with intention, clarity, and support. This is not your typical networking group. It’s a professionally facilitated, monthly advisory circle where you’ll engage in real conversations, work through challenges, and gain valuable perspective from fellow business owners.

Each session is designed to help you:
  • Work through real business challenges
  • Gain insight from experienced peers
  • Strengthen your decision-making and strategy
  • Stay accountable to your goals

The Circle meets the third Tuesday of every month in a focused, supportive environment built around thoughtful leadership and sustainable growth—because running a business shouldn’t feel like something you have to figure out alone. 
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Spark! Tank Pitch Competition
 

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Join us for an evening of big ideas, bold pitches, and community innovation. You’ll get to see local entrepreneurs showcase their creativity and compete for cash prizes—and you can even vote for your favorite in the Audience Choice category!
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Office Hours with Ryan Chapin

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Need help working through a business
challenge or exploring your next move?

Join Ryan Chapin for monthly office hours.
Receive personalized guidance, fresh
perspectives, and practical advice to help move
your business forward.

Topics You Can Discuss:
  • Business model and pricing questions
  • Marketing and customer acquisition strategies
  • Funding and financing opportunities
  • Operations and scaling challenges
  • Brainstorming ideas and problem-solving
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000
view all events

December Pit Session

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

Agenda
12-12:30pm- Lunch
12:30-12:45pm- Announcements
12:45-1pm- Community Partner
1-2pm- Professional Development

000
000
view all events

Business Circle

When:
Where: Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hagerstown Community College

This members-only experience is designed for business owners who are ready to grow with intention, clarity, and support. This is not your typical networking group. It’s a professionally facilitated, monthly advisory circle where you’ll engage in real conversations, work through challenges, and gain valuable perspective from fellow business owners.

Each session is designed to help you:
  • Work through real business challenges
  • Gain insight from experienced peers
  • Strengthen your decision-making and strategy
  • Stay accountable to your goals

The Circle meets the third Tuesday of every month in a focused, supportive environment built around thoughtful leadership and sustainable growth—because running a business shouldn’t feel like something you have to figure out alone. 
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000
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3rd Annual Spark Innovation & Growth Conference

Save the Date!
May 4, 5 & 6, 2027
 

When:
Where: Career Programs Building and Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies at Hagerstown Community College