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 2008 Selection Committee:

Jonathan Aberman, Amplifier Venture Partners
Tanya D. Berlage, Saul Ewing LLP
Wagish Bhartiya, Grotech Capital Group
Phil Bronner, Novak Biddle Venture Partners
Jack Cahill, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development
Patrick Cairns, Grotech Capital Group
Somak Chattopadhyay, Greenhill SAVP
Christine Copple Ph.D., Starise Ventures
Martha J. Connolly, Ph.D. University of Maryland
Brian P. Darmody, University of Maryland, Research & Economic Development
Ray Dizon, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development
Josh Fidler, Boulder Ventures
David J. Freschman, Innovation Capital Advisors, LLC Elizabeth Good Mazhari, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Mark Grovic, New Markets Growth Fund
Jack Hollerbach, HarVest Bank of Maryland
Andy Jones, Boulder Ventures
Tina M. Katcheves, Saul Ewing LLP
Rick A. Kohr Jr., CPA Chesapeake Emerging Opp. Club Steve Kozak, Greater Baltimore Technology Council
JB Lockhart, Greenhill SAVP
Lenard Marcus, Edison Venture Fund
Brian Meritt, RSM McGladrey, Inc.
Eric G. Orlinsky, Saul Ewing LLP
Alexander Perry. Anthem Capital
Michael L. Salgaller Ph.D., Calibrant Biosystems
Heidi Sheppard, Maryland TEDCO
Sever Totia, Edison Venture Fund
Geeta S. Vemuri Ph.D., Quaker BioVentures
Steve Walker, Steve Walker & Associates
Jonathan Wallace, WWC Capital Group
Renee M. Winsky, Maryland TEDCO
Jeffery N. Zinn, Saul Ewing LLP
Matt Zuga, Red Abbey Ventures Partners

Companies that apply to the ICOY Awards and the 11th Annual Early Stage East Venture Fair will receive preferential review of the application for Early Stage East.