While travel remains restricted, the Maryland Department of Commerce is dedicated to helping local businesses expand their reach to overseas markets from the comforts of their Maryland office. To make this happen, the department is teaming up with the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business to provide two different global opportunities for companies across the state.

Just as in previous years, Maryland Commerce is partnering with Maryland Smith to manage the Maryland Global Consulting Program. Launched in 2016, the program aims to provide global consulting to Maryland companies looking to gain expertise in international expansion and global business strategies. Companies that participate in this program are given the opportunity to work with Maryland Smith MBA students, who provide consultations and recommendations on the company’s current challenges in the global market. Students are advised by both Maryland Commerce staff and Maryland Smith faculty, giving these consulting opportunities plenty of feedback from subject matter experts.

ACell, a Howard County regenerative medicine company, recently participated in the consulting program to find the best international markets suitable for its products. According to Nino Pionati, chief commercial officer of ACell, the company was “very pleased” with the recommendations provided.

“This service adds great value to small companies who typically don’t have the resources to do this work themselves,” said Pionati. Read more about the company’s success with the program. To help offset the costs of the program, companies can apply for an ExportMD grant through the state of Maryland.

The department is also partnering with Maryland Smith for the Global Marketing Virtual Internship Program, where students can provide global marketing and website assistance to companies in need. These students have received training from the U.S. Export Assistance Center, as well as the school’s Center for Global Business, to ensure they are prepared to help clients with website analytics, optimization, SEO, social media, and more.

For more information on these opportunities, please contact Paul Beatty, paul.beatty@maryland.gov or (410) 533-3282.