Maryland Students Awarded $50K Scholarships Through Pava LaPere Innovation Awards

The scholarships honor the legacy of a former tech CEO killed in 2023.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Several Maryland students have been awarded $50,000 scholarships through the Pava-LaPere Innovation Awards, which were held on Thursday night. The scholarships are in memory of former tech CEO Pava LaPere, who was killed in 2023. LaPere was known for his efforts to empower young entrepreneurs, and the family has also announced the creation of the Pava LaPere Student Entrepreneurship Foundation to further advance the careers of undergraduates in the Greater Baltimore area.

Why it matters

The Pava-LaPere Innovation Awards and the new Pava LaPere Student Entrepreneurship Foundation aim to support and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Baltimore region, honoring the legacy of a tech leader who was passionate about fostering innovation and business development.

The details

The Pava-LaPere Innovation Awards ceremony on Thursday night awarded $50,000 scholarships to Maryland's most promising young entrepreneurs. The scholarships were established in memory of Pava LaPere, a former tech CEO who was killed in 2023. LaPere was known for his efforts to empower and support young entrepreneurs, and his family has now announced the creation of the Pava LaPere Student Entrepreneurship Foundation, a nonprofit focused on advancing the careers of undergraduates in the Greater Baltimore area.

  • The Pava-LaPere Innovation Awards ceremony was held on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • Pava LaPere, the tech CEO for whom the scholarships are named, was killed in 2023.

The players

Pava LaPere

A former tech CEO who was killed in 2023 and was known for his efforts to empower young entrepreneurs.

Frank LaPere

Pava LaPere's father, who spoke about the excitement and motivation of the student entrepreneurs at the awards ceremony.

Pava LaPere Student Entrepreneurship Foundation

A new nonprofit organization founded by the LaPere family to advance the careers of undergraduates in the Greater Baltimore area.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing just the excitement and the vibrancy of these students. How they are so motivated about their ideas and the way they present. You can just feel their motivation and excitement to want to turn these things into viable businesses.”

— Frank LaPere, Pava LaPere's father (wbal.com)

The takeaway

The Pava-LaPere Innovation Awards and the new Pava LaPere Student Entrepreneurship Foundation demonstrate a commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Baltimore region, honoring the legacy of a tech leader who believed in empowering young innovators.