Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
TEDCO's role is to be Maryland's leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for the development, transfer and commercialization of technology. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance. Its programs provide emerging technology companies and university researchers with seed funding and specialized technical assistance. Funding opportunities available include:
TechStart: Funds university- or federal lab-based teams to determine whether technologies have the potential to be commercialized through a startup company. All universities and federal labs in the State are eligible once assembling a team consisting of an experienced entrepreneur, an inventor or inventor team, and a technology transfer manager. Funds are capped at $15,000 per technology.
Maryland Technology Transfer Fund (MTTF): Provides funding for Maryland companies who wish to develop technology-based products and/or services in collaboration with the Universities and/or Federal labs in Maryland. The Company must be collaborating with a federal lab or university in Maryland and meet the following two criteria: fewer than 16 employees OR the company is a university spin-off in business less than 5 years AND Pre-revenue OR pre-venture investment. Funds up to $75,000 are available.
TEDCO – Johnson & Johnson Joint Investment Program: Jointly funded award program for investing in seed stage companies with technologies of interest to Johnson & Johnson’s Corporate Office of Science & Technology (COSAT). First-time TEDCO applicants must meet the MTTF eligibility criteria and need only apply for MTTF funding with a budget up to the MTTF award limit.
Fort Detrick Technology Transfer Initiative (FDTTI): Funds development of technologies that meet the needs of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command USAMRMC (Spin-In) and/or the commercialization of USAMRMC technologies (Spin-Out). Maximum awards of $50,000.
University Technology Development Fund (UTDF): Provides resources to Maryland universities to support pre-commercial research on university intellectual property to increase the likelihood of commercialization. The UTDF, helps universities to license early stage technologies more effectively and serves as a source of technology development projects for Maryland companies. All institutions of higher education in Maryland are eligible. UTDF grants are usually limited to $50,000.
Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS)
MIPS jointly funds collaborative R&D projects between companies and University System of Maryland faculty. MIPS matching grants are awarded on a competitive basis for projects based on proposals submitted jointly by Maryland companies and researchers from any of the 13 University System institutions. Maximum MIPS award for any single project is $100,000 per year for large and small companies and $90,000 for start-up firms. Proposals are accepted twice per year, with deadlines on May 1 and October 1.
Federal Funding Programs
Grants are provided for research and research-related activities, such as construction, training, career development, and conferences. Federal Research Grants include:
NIH Research Project Grant Program (R01): Used to support a discrete, specified, circumscribed research project. No specific dollar limit unless specified in funding opportunity announcement, but advance permission required for $500K or more (direct costs) in any year. Generally awarded for 3 -5 years.
NIH Small Grant Program (R03): Provides limited funding for a short period of time to support a variety of types of projects, including: pilot or feasibility studies, collection of preliminary data, secondary analysis of existing data, small, self-contained research projects, and development of new research technology.
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21): Encourages new, exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early stages of project development. Limited to up to two years of funding.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): Intended to stimulate scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research/research and development (R/R&D) carried out between small business concerns (SBCs) and research institutions (RIs). Eligibility limited to U.S. small business concerns.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR): Intended to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector by supporting research or research and development (R/R&D) for for-profit institutions for ideas that have potential for commercialization. Eligibility limited to U.S. small business concerns.
Capital Access Network (CAN)
CAN allows entrepreneurs of start-up companies in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Delaware to connect with active, accredited angel investors. It offers assessment and mentoring of companies seeking angel investment and distributes executive summaries directly to angel network.
Main requirements: applicant should be seeking between $50,000 and $1,500,000 of equity financing; company must be located in the Mid-Atlantic region (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware); a complete application must be submitted, which includes Executive Summary, Financials and Business Plan.
Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED)
Maryland Venture Fund: State-funded seed and early-stage equity fund that makes direct investments in technology and life science companies. Two investment programs:
Challenge Investment Program: Financing for seed-stage companies to cover a portion of the initial costs associated with bringing new products to market.
Enterprise Investment Fund: Makes direct equity investments in emerging technology companies, usually at the first round of institutional financing.
Biotechnology Investor Tax Credit Program: Provides income tax credits for investors in qualified Maryland biotechnology companies. Value of the credit is equal to 50% of an eligible investment made in a qualified Maryland biotechnology company during the taxable year. The maximum amount of the credit cannot exceed $250,000 for investors.
Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority (MIDFA): Facilitates capital access by issuing private activity revenue bonds and can provide credit insurance in the form of a deficiency guaranty to reduce lender’s risk.
Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF): Offers various financing capabilities, with assistance being provided to the business community and political jurisdictions in the form of loans, loan guarantees, or grants.
One Maryland Tax Credit: Up to $5.5 million in income tax credits for businesses that invest in an economic development project in a qualified distressed county, including Baltimore City.
Job Creation Tax Credit: Provides income tax credits to businesses that create new jobs to encourage them to expand or relocate in Maryland.
Enterprise Zone Tax Credits: Income tax credits and real property tax credits in return for job creation and investments made in an Enterprise Zone.
Research and Development Tax Credit: Provides income tax credits to businesses that invest in research and development in Maryland.
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