Maryland remains steadfast in its mission to lead, inspire, and transform.
As a place where innovation, community, opportunity, and world class assets intersect, Maryland provides insights and connections to businesses looking to grow. That growth stems from support provided by various entities across the state, each of which understands the entrepreneurial journey and is creating opportunities that sparks advancement while opening new pathways for the future.
Of these entities, you’ll find TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation – an organization whose mission is to identify, invest in, and help grow technology and life sciences companies across the state. Operating as the State of Maryland’s Venture Capital arm, TEDCO offers funding, resources and connections to entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business journey.
Throughout this journey, TEDCO has remained steadfast in our commitment to promoting a diverse, inclusive, innovative and sustainable ecosystem across the state. As such, we have increased the intentional programming and opportunities to support this initiative and have debuted programs like the Equitech Growth Fund – a project that, through the first round of funding alone, is projected to support training for more than 3,200 students studying information technology (IT), potentially place 2,500 of these students into jobs annually, and support the creation of more than 160 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs. Plus, we have increased our funding from the Social Impact funds, allowing us to support 52 companies and invest a total of more than $18 million across the state in the last three years alone.
Our commitment to the Maryland innovation ecosystem can be seen in everything we do – from the Entrepreneur Expo – an event bringing together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, influencers, funders, corporations, economic development gurus, and ecosystem collaborators for a day of inspiration and learning – to the Venture Development support offered through mentorship-like opportunities and guidance, to the numerous investments that have placed us within the top 20 investors in the Mid-Atlantic region. We are proud to be a part of such a dynamic ecosystem in Maryland and relish the reality that our support is truly making a difference.
However, no number of investments can solely create a regional change – a reality we at TEDCO understand and welcome with open arms. Across Maryland, there are a variety of opportunities, incubators, investors, economic development organizations, etc., each equipped with different resources and support to help fuel the state’s continued growth. Like pixels in a monitor, every individual organization has been essential to the state’s success – it’s only through the ever-expanding community of entrepreneurial innovation and support that TEDCO’s goal of growing a diverse and sustainable ecosystem can come to fruition.
Now, after 27 years of leading innovation to market, we are excited to continue our tradition of celebrating the innovators, economic developers, and Marylanders that have made our state the ideal location to build and succeed. By collaborating with INNOVATE, we are bringing to life a physical representation of Maryland’s innovation ecosystem; through this book, we hope to allow for more connections, a better understanding, and for inspiration to flood through you – the readers.
In the pages that follow, you will find some of the numerous organizations and thought leaders who empower Maryland. From researchers to corporations, this state is home to a collaborative community of influential players – you may even recognize a few featured in this book. As you flip through the pages, we hope you find as much excitement as we do when looking back on the continued growth, that you gain inspiration for continued expansion, and that you join us in celebration as we recognize a handful of the innovative entities that have helped make the state so great.
Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a CEO, or even an innovator just looking for inspiration, we hope this book provides a keen insight into what our region has to offer.
Thank you for taking the time to celebrate the innovative businesses, leaders and organizations across Maryland – we hope you learn from the trials and tribulations shared, get excited for the upcoming ventures and embrace the inspirational dedication shared throughout the book.
