Application finalists and category Award Recipients are chosen by a cross-section of the region's most prominent industry leaders and early-stage investors. Entering in the competition provides emerging companies with a rare opportunity to present their business plan and vision to the most influential panel of early-stage investors and industry leaders in the region.

Members of the 2007 Selection Committee:

Jorge Aquino, Maryland DBED
Patrick Cairns, Grotech Capital
James Broder, eCentury Capital Partners
Phil Bronner, Novak Biddle Venture Partners
Somak Chattopadhyay, Edison Venture Fund
Martha Connolly, Univ. of Maryland, College Park
Christine Copple, Ph.D, Starise Ventures
Brian P. Darmody, Univ. of Maryland, College Park
Jeffrey A. Davidson, Inflection Point Ventures
Joe Deal, JMI Equity Funds
Ray Dizon, Maryland DBED
Randy Domolky, Liquid Capital Group
Josh Fidler, Boulder Ventures
David Freschman, Delaware Innovation Fund
Elizabeth Good, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Mark Grovic, New Markets Growth Fund
Jack Hollerbach, HarVest Bank of Maryland
Hooks Johnston, Valhalla Partners
Richard A. Kohr, Jr. Chesapeake Emerging Opp. Club
Steve Kozak, Greater Balt. Tech Coun.
Brian Meritt, RSM MCGladrey, Inc.
Eric Orlinsky, Saul Ewing LLP
Alexander Perry, Anthem Capital
Heidi Sheppard, Maryland TEDCO
Robert A. Spar, Saul Ewing LLP
Sever Totia, Lazard Technology Partners LLC
Geeta S. Vemuri, Ph.D. Quaker BioVentures
Steve Walker, Steve Walker & Assoc.
Jonathan Wallace, WWC Capital Group
Renee M. Winsky, Maryland TEDCO
Matt Zuga, Red Abbey Ventures

Companies that apply to the ICOY Awards and the 10th Annual Early Stage East Venture Fair will receive preferential review of the application for Early Stage East.