Startup Incubation

On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy...and Black people.

Regularly scheduled walk to see birds and sights.

Registration & full details at: https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/imagine-nonprofit/ This is an informational post, you must register directly with amazon. It's a free event. It's also in person at the MGM National Harbor. Yes, there's a parking garage at the venue. Presented by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Imagine for Nonprofits unites visionary leaders, technologists, and changemakers who are driving social and environmental impact through technology. This in-person event combines thought-provoking discussions, interactive sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities that explore how advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and intentional innovation are transforming the nonprofit sector. Together, we're building a future where technology amplifies humanity's capacity for good, guided by data, driven by purpose, and grounded in responsibility.

Artistic Artifacts hosts **Open Stitch sessions EVERY Thursday evenings** from 5:30 - 7:30 pm — join us! This is a drop-in, bring your own hand stitching project and the necessary supplies (or you can knit, crochet... whatever needle arts you like). There’s no fee to attend, no instruction nor agenda — just a time to spend with other creatives! Visit our website for all our class & event information: **[https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk)**

***Join us for an evening in an electronics lab where we will attempt to run clean scans of gold samples, and then clean up that data with post processing.*** This is a high sensitivity experiment, and we do not plan on being successful so early. But we've had promising results lately - so we will be putting in the time. We are NOT meeting at our usual location, but rather at Steve's house/lab. If you RSVP, you will get a DM with the address but it's located in Silver Spring. We will attempt full, clean lab - clean tip repeated scanning tests to see what we can learn and improve. We will experiment with online attendees, but if all possible showing up in person is strongly encouraged. Online join link is: - [https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers](https://meet.jit.si/mocomakers) Our community is building (and documenting for other teams) how to build a scanning tunneling microscope using a mix of common and 3D printed parts. This will allow us to scan and visualize a single atom - an ambitious we are doing over the course of a few months. The MoCo Makers community is one of the most innovative and competent groups in Maryland, and we've done everything from [publishing cancer research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38136356/), to [launching products](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gotim/cozy-curvy-multi-contour-pillow), [winning grants](https://covidinfocommons.datascience.columbia.edu/awards/2014255), and inspiring thousands. Now our biggest challenge yet has appeared. We are building a Scanning Tunneling Microscope, that will allow us to scan and visualize single atoms. To get a better idea of what we are doing, see our reference project here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3OqTEq08g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3OqTEq08g) All starting CAD, code, and reference files should exist. However, let's be the first Maker community to document the build process and share it with learners around the world. We will be publishing our work here -[ https://hackaday.io/project/202816-qt-panda](https://hackaday.io/project/202816-qt-panda) If you need a ride, let us know.

Join us for an exclusive Real Estate Investor Meetup! Connect, share ideas, and expand your network. **We do ask that you buy a drink or some food before interacting with the group. (ps. This could be a tax write off)** The venue is graciously providing such a wonderful space for us and it's great if we can all help out. Parking- there is street parking and parking on the left side of the building. Location- We will be in the loft on the 2nd floor. If you need help, reach out to the front desk staff for assistance. Menu- The restaurant has quite a bit of west African food and a few classic quick bites and cocktails. They have a full stocked bar with a wide assortment of drinks.

**AI-Supported Creative Exploration** *For Unassuming Intuitives & Practicing Creatives* (Please note that this event has not been organized or endorsed by The Writer's Center.) This meetup is part of AI as Creative Partner — A Practice Group, a set of open, non-sequential creative labs you can join at any point. We use AI as a thinking partner—not to replace your ideas, but to help surface and shape them without overthinking or pressure. You bring fragments—ideas, impulses, unfinished concepts. With AI as a supportive collaborator, we explore how those fragments can become clearer, more coherent, and ready to share if and when you want to. No technical background is required. If you can talk or type, that's enough to work with AI here. This session is intentionally low-commitment and flexible: * Arrive late or leave early * Work quietly or observe * Ask questions, or simply watch the process unfold There's no presentation and no expectation to finish anything. Showing up as you are is enough. **FINDING WHAT HAS ENERGY - CREATIVE DIRECTION LAB** Many people don't struggle with ideas—they struggle with direction. This open lab is loosely oriented around noticing which ideas have energy and which ones don't, using AI as a reflective partner. There's no expectation to finish anything. This session is about sensing, testing, and trusting what responds. **HOW TO FIND US** Look for the room with the door open on the lower level. Look for the guy with the screen projector and ambient light and sound. Feel free to just walk in and settle. **(*This is an independent meetup using rental space at The Writer's Center. The Writer's Center has not organized or endorsed this event.*)**

**[Visit Eventbrite To Register and Receive the Zoom Link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brew-bloom-a-coworking-session-for-professionals-bringing-ideas-to-life-tickets-1980211758676?aff=oddtdtcreator)** It's Time To Bring Your BIG Idea to Life Come join us for an **intentional co-working session for professionals** ready to stop postponing their ideas and **start bringing them to life**. Bring your task. Grab your favorite beverage. Settle into a **focused, supportive space where meaningful work happens**. You’ll co-work alongside **fellow creative changemakers** committed to turning ideas, passions, and next chapters into reality....**in community**. ### **How This Works** We follow a **gentle, structured rhythm** to support **focus, momentum, and your nervous system**. **Opening (15 minutes)** A grounding meditation to help you settle and focus (5 minutes), followed by a brief check-in: your name, what you’re celebrating, and what you’ll work on today (10 minutes). **Focused Co-Working (2 hours)** Four work blocks: 30 minutes of focused work + 5-minute breaks to stretch, refill coffee, or reset. Cameras on or off....your choice. **Closing Circle (30 minutes)** Share wins, insights, or breakthroughs. Exchange inspiration, tips, or offerings. Leave feeling **clear, connected, and accomplished**! We wrap at **1:00 PM EST**. ### **You Deserve This** No more waiting for the “right” time. No more putting your dreams on the back burner. No more letting another year pass without honoring what’s calling you. This is your space to let your **authentic, unlived self step forward** — with **support, structure, and safety**. ### **Who This Is For** This space is for you if you’re: • Working on a book, blog, art, workshop, or any other creative project • Launching a new (or first!) business, podcast, social media or offering • Exploring a career pivot or dream opportunity • Seeking protected time to focus, reflect, or reconnect with yourself • A professional balancing a full life and still wanting more You don’t need to be a “full-time creative.” You don’t need everything figured out. If you’re **excited about your idea** and ready to give it real space, this is for you....especially if you’ve always felt **there’s more in you**, and you’re ready to honor it. ## **About Your Host** Hi, I’m **Nandi Edwards**, founder of **Nandi Nature Coaching**. Before launching my business, I spent over **10 years as a government strategist**, helping teams, professionals and leaders turn their social ideas into real-world impact. I also know firsthand what it’s like to bring a vision to life while holding a full-time 9-to-5. I know the doubts, the fears, and the *“who am I to do this?”* moments that surface when you’re trying to create something new. Today, I support professionals, like you, to move off the sidelines and contribute something meaningful to the world

Artistic Artifacts will celebrate National Quilting Day with a full slate of quilting inspiration & demonstrations! We’ll be showcasing the power and precision of our BERNINA machines throughout the day with ongoing demonstrations! Whether you’re curious about longarm quilting, mastering free motion, or exploring quilting in the hoop, there’s something for every quilter. **Bring a friend, tell your guild members and celebrate National Quilting Day at our shop, 4750 Eisenhower Avenue** in Alexandria, VA. **[Visit our website for a list of ongoing demonstrations](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/march-21-national-quilting-day)** you can enjoy!

Join us for an evening of great conversations, new connections, and insights at the Data & AI Social Club! This relaxed networking event brings together professionals, enthusiasts, and curious minds from the worlds of data and more!

Details Location: Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD) The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. Here's the updated version: *** **Topic: Reasons to Be Excited (A Technology Optimism Round)** It's easy to doom-scroll your way into thinking the world is falling apart. And honestly, some of our recent meetings haven't helped. So this time, we're flipping the script: what technology are you actually *excited* about? This isn't a request for blind techno-utopianism. Skepticism is welcome. But the goal is to spend some time on the genuine wins and promising horizons, because there are more of them than the headlines suggest. Here's a quick tour of some things worth being optimistic about: * **AI in everyday life** — Love it or hate it, AI tools are genuinely saving people hours of tedious work. From coding assistants to writing tools to writing this very event descriptin you're reading now to AI that sits inside your spreadsheets and email, the practical applications are moving faster than most people expected even two years ago. The question is less "will this be useful?" and more "who actually benefits, and when?" * **Clean energy's quiet boom** — Solar and battery storage have had a decade of jaw-dropping cost reductions. The U.S. added more renewable capacity last year than any year on record. It's not fast enough for some, but the trajectory is real. * **CRISPR and gene editing** — In late 2023, the FDA approved the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease — a condition that has caused lifelong suffering for millions of people with very few good options. It's the first of what could be a long list of genetic diseases that are now, for the first time, actually curable rather than just manageable. * **Lab-grown meat** — Chicken and beef grown directly from animal cells, no slaughter required. It's real, it's been approved for sale in the US, and while it's still expensive and not yet on your grocery shelf, the cost curves are dropping fast. Whether you care about animal welfare, climate, or just think it's cool, this one is quietly wild. * **SpaceX and the new space economy** — Reusable rockets went from fantasy to routine. Launch costs have dropped by an order of magnitude in 15 years, opening the door to satellite internet in remote areas, new science missions, and yes, eventually humans on Mars (whether or not that excites you). * **Brain-computer interfaces** — Still early, still expensive, but Neuralink and others are giving paralyzed patients the ability to control devices with their thoughts. The sci-fi shelf life on this one is getting shorter. **Questions to Consider:** * Is there a technology you were skeptical about that has actually won you over? What changed your mind? * Which of these feels most overhyped — and which feels *under*hyped? * Are the benefits of new technology reaching people broadly, or mostly concentrating among the already-fortunate? * Is optimism about technology a luxury? Does it depend on where you live, how much money you have, or what you do for work? * What's something small and unglamorous — not AI, not space — that has genuinely made your life better recently?

• What we'll do Economist William Michael Cunningham on Podbeam Thursdays at 6 pm. https://www.podbean.com/

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Washington.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

MoCo Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal, co-working session. We're community-led and community-run by devs, for devs. People of all skill levels are invited. Especially new devs! Bring a laptop, ideas, and we'll provide the coffee and snacks. **Here's how it works** At 2:30pm, everyone introduces themselves and briefly mention what brought them to Code & Coffee today (project, homework, networking, etc.) Round 1: 1. Your name 2. What you're working on 3. What you can help others with Round 2: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. Round 3: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. **After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized!** 1. For the rest of the day, folks work on their projects, providing one another with help, and/or socialize. It's fully up to you. **Location** We will be at the Rockville Science Center, right across from the library in The Square at Rockville. Note this is NOT the makerspace location, but the other one near the Garage B entrance. 36 Maryland Ave C, Rockville, MD 20850 The event will be held at a spacious science center with plenty of tables and chairs. Light refreshments (coffee and tea) and snacks will be provided. **Parking** * Rockville Town Square garages have up to 90 minutes of free parking. Parking at the Rockville Metro station would be free on weekends. **Public transit** * Located near near the **Rockville** metro station (Red Line).

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

Is your business taking more of your time than you would like? [Rob Young](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinci-robyoung/) principal at [Stage 3 Group](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stage-3-group/), hosts this workshop series and is the author of Stage 3 Success. * Provides a framework and a playbook for leaders of emerging businesses * Reviews business management tools and techniques for scaling and maturing a business * How to recognize and leverage stories hidden in financial statements * How to implement financial and operational controls and use leading indicators to spot trouble before it occurs * How to manage your time for maximum effect * How to deal with nonperforming employees * How to create standard operating procedures throughout your organization Four sessions will include two hours of content and an optional 90-minute hands-on lab. Reserve your spot via this link: https://clintonvilleba.com/calendar/#!event/2026/3/20/chaos-to-clarity-to-control ($200 for non-CABA members.)

**💥 Join us THIS Saturday and EVERY Saturday!** **💥 At Columbus’ Hottest New Salsa Venue!** **.** Lincoln Street Salsa THIS Saturday and EVERY Saturday! 8 pm – 1 am **.** **💥 Gorgeously Renovated Studio!** **💥 Free Parking!** **💥 BYOB!** **💥 Easy Access from Highway!** **.** Lincoln Street Salsa 1717 Brice Rd Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43215 **.** **ENTRANCE IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING** **Behind Anthony’s Pharmacy!** **.** **PLEASE SHARE and help get the word out!** **.** **🟣 Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue Dancing!** **.** **🟣** 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm **𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻** **.** **🟣** 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm **𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Class!** **.** **🟣** 9:30 pm – 1 am **𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆!** **.** **✅ Questions?** **Visit [LincolnStreetSalsa.com](https://columbussalsadancing.com/)** Or Text Todd: 614-774-8146 **.** **✅ No Experience Necessary!** **✅ No Partner Required!** **✅ Plenty of People to Dance With!** **.** **✅ $15 Cash / $16 Card** **✅ College Students $5 Off with Valid ID!** **✅ BYOB** **✅ Age 18+** **.** **✅ Lincoln Street Salsa is the perfect place for…** **.** **👉 Learning to Dance** **👉** Social Dancing **👉 Birthday Celebration** **👉** Bachelorette Parties **👉 Girl’s Night Out** **👉 Date Night** **👉** Getting Fit / Burning Calories **👉 Meeting New People** **👉** Having Fun, Fun, Fun! **.** ✅ **Questions?** Visit [LincolnStreetSalsa.com](https://columbussalsadancing.com/ "https://columbussalsadancing.com/") Or Text Todd: 614-774-8146 .

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**🫶 Zoom Speed Dating – Created for Newcomers – Chat with Real Cincinnati Singles!** **🚨 NOTE: RSVPing Here Will NOT Hold Your Spot!** You need to click the sign-up link for your age group below, register, and finish the personality quiz to qualify. **Places fill up fast** – act now to lock in yours! **🎟️ Age Group Sign-Up Links (Click Yours Now):** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=mosaic-mates-empowered-singles&ar=18-32&face_v=19.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=mosaic-mates-empowered-singles&ar=30-46&face_v=19.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=mosaic-mates-empowered-singles&ar=40-58&face_v=19.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=mosaic-mates-empowered-singles&ar=55+&face_v=19.0) --- 😎 **Ditch the awkward bar approach.** Give guided online speed dating a shot! No prior experience necessary. No dating profile needed. Just real humans having real conversations. Our online setup makes it effortless for newcomers to connect with Cincinnati singles in a no-pressure environment. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Introverts who thrive in one-on-one conversations - People after meaningful connections in a laid-back setting - Anyone who's done with swiping and craves genuine conversation **How It Works** 1. **Register** – Click the sign-up link for your age bracket above. 2. **Take the Personality Quiz** – We’ll pair you with compatible Cincinnati singles for the best evening possible. 3. **Hop on Zoom** – Pour yourself a drink, get settled, and let the host walk you through each round. 4. **Enjoy the Conversations** – Every round is timed and hosted so each chat feels easy and fun. 5. **Discover Your Matches** – We’ll let you know about any mutual interest afterwards. The rest is up to you! **Event Details** - **Format:** Virtual on Zoom – organised rounds in a warm, easy-going setting - **Location:** Your own space – the comfiest date venue you could ask for - **Host:** Skilled facilitator who guides first-time speed daters with patience - **Vibe:** Easy-going connections with friendly Cincinnati singles – enjoyable and relaxed - **Tech:** All you need is Zoom, a webcam, and a friendly smile - **Support:** Our host is on hand before, during, and after the event - **Atmosphere:** Positive, inclusive, and completely judgement-free - **Dress code:** Smart casual – look sharp, feel great! --- ✨ Stop waiting for the ideal moment. This is it. Meet Cincinnati singles this evening! 💝 ✨

OpenClaw, NemoClaw, personal assistants, 24/7 agents. What does it all mean? How does it all work and what should we know about it? Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)