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Maryland startups Archives - BioHealth Innovation

Aug 19 2025
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TEDCO Invests in AGED Diagnostics

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Biotechnology company developing early liver diseases detection technology

COLUMBIA, Md., (August 19, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $250,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment in AGED Diagnostics. Housed under TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds, the Pre-Seed Builder Funds provide investment and support to Maryland-based technology companies led by founders from economically underserved backgrounds.

“TEDCO’s funding continues to support us in furthering our research and development for early liver disease detection,” said Rachel Zayas, CEO of AGED Diagnostics. “With this follow-on investment, we hope to move closer to our mission of providing access to early detection and intervention care for those with liver disease.”

AGED Diagnostics, based in Rockville, Md., is a biotechnology company developing an early detection and intervention solution for liver disease. Using genomic innovation, the company is working to create a more accurate blood test that could keep patients in a monitoring program, helping to reduce financial burdens and improve patient outcomes.

“AGED Diagnostics seeks to tackle both the health and financial aspects of liver disease through their detection technology,” said Jean-Luc Park, deputy chief investment officer & senior director of TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds. “At TEDCO, we work to support innovative companies like this who are working towards impactful solutions; through the Pre-Seed Builder Fund, we are honored to offer more than just funding in support for our portfolio companies.”

TEDCO’s Social Impact Funds are just one of the many investment opportunities available to qualifying technology-focused startups and small businesses across Maryland.

“As technologies continue to evolve, it is always promising to see innovation in biotechnology seek to support more efficient and affordable healthcare,” said TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “Being ranked as a top state for health care, Maryland has a fertile ecosystem for entrepreneurs and companies looking to advance in the medical landscape.”

For more information, visit our page at www.tedcomd.com/funding.

About TEDCO

TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

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Media Contact

Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@tedcomd.com

Rachael Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@tedcomd.com

Aug 18 2025
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TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative Announces First Round of Baltimore Innovation Initiative Awardees

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The Baltimore Innovation Initiative awards a total of more than $645,000 to 14 awardees

COLUMBIA, Md., (August 18, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the first round of the Baltimore Innovation Initiative (BII) Pilot Program awardees, marking an important milestone for the organization. The BII Pilot Program falls under the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), fueling innovation and economic impact in the Baltimore region.

“The first round of BII awardees exemplify the innovation present throughout the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area,” said Abi Kulshreshtha, executive director, MII. “These awards will advance innovative technologies from seven colleges and universities, contributing to Maryland’s growing innovation ecosystem.”

The BII was created to support an equitable innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem within higher education institutions in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As part of Maryland’s matching contribution toward the Baltimore Tech Hub, the BII seeks to advance technology toward commercialization of a product or service and bolster support for entrepreneurs developing technology-based ventures.

“We received a number of excellent candidates – choosing the 14 awardees was a difficult process, but we feel these awardees are best positioned to utilize the funding provided to progress towards commercialization,” said Jalaycia Lewis, BII program manager.

The Technology Advancement Grant offers applicants support to commercialize a new or existing technology at an eligible institution while the Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Programming and Infrastructure Grant supports the creation or enhancement of entrepreneurship programs and commercialization infrastructure for technology-based ventures.

The eight Technology Advancement awardees include:

  1. Selena Shirkin,Fetal Therapy Technologies: Designing a novel port system for microsurgery; Johns Hopkins University
  2. Rebecca Greene,Semiautonomous Humanistic Algorithm for Reduced Effort and Enhanced Dexterity (SHARE2D) Control; Johns Hopkins University
  3. Anika Mistry,DevMinds: adaptive social-emotional learning to support neurodiverse kids beyond therapy sessions; Johns Hopkins University
  4. Oriol Cuxart,A breakthrough neuromodulation solution for Chronic Rhinosinusitis patients; Johns Hopkins University
  5. Michael Tangrea, advancing precision medicine through commercialization of the micropurification technology; Loyola University Maryland
  6. Kevin Tu, developing a secure and integrated fume hood management platform to reduce energy waste in research laboratories; University of Maryland, Baltimore
  7. Andres Londoño,DegreeMap: A smart degree planning platform for Maryland higher education; Towson University
  8. Debbie Sahlin, ACCESS-DP Advancing Coordinated Care and Emerging Smart Solutions for Disabled Populations; University of Maryland, Baltimore

The six Entrepreneurship Commercialization, Programming and Infrastructure Awardees include:

  1. Ian Ryu,AI Venture Studio Pilot; Johns Hopkins University
  2. Wendy Bolger, Support for the Baltipreneurs Accelerator; Loyola University Maryland
  3. Ryan Hoover, Launching the MICA Biodesign Program to Support and Diversify the Regional Bioeconomy; Maryland Institute College of Art
  4. Henry Mortimer,UBalt AI-Enabled Business Incubator; University of Baltimore
  5. Kenneth Wong,Center for Climate and Health Entrepreneurship; University of Maryland, Baltimore
  6. Jamie Gurganus,Embedding Entrepreneurial Mindset in Academia: Launching the Entrepreneurial Learning Lab at UMBC; University of Maryland, Baltimore County

“Innovative entrepreneurs thrive in Maryland with the support of programs like BII,” said TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “As the number one state for minority-owned businesses, Maryland is moving the needle forward. By embracing diversity, we continue to see growth in a merit-based ecosystem that will not only bring the state to the forefront of innovation but will allow for sustainability.”

The MII was established as a collaboration between the State of Maryland and five academic research institutions, and leverages each institution’s strengths while promoting the commercialization of research conducted there. Since its inception, the program has invested more than $59 million in promising research commercialization, supported nearly 200 companies and generated almost 400 jobs. The success of the MII led to several pilot programs that expanded MII’s reach to two more comprehensive universities in addition to the creation of BII.

To learn more about the MII and BII programs, eligibility and application details, visit tedcomd.com/funding/maryland-innovation-initiative.

About TEDCO

TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

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Media Contact

Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@tedcomd.com

Rachael Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@tedcomd.com

Aug 07 2025
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TEDCO Invests in Natáur

By News

COLUMBIA, Md., (August 7, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $250,000 Pre-Seed Builder Fund investment in Natáur. The Pre-Seed Builder Fund is housed under the Social Impact Funds, an umbrella of investment opportunities that seek to provide eligible entrepreneurs with access to support and capital.

“Natáur is redefining the future of essential nutrients—leveraging proprietary fermentation technology and engineered microbes to replace traditional petroleum-based taurine with a sustainably produced, bio-based alternative that’s safer for people, pets, and the planet,” said Kathleen Turano, president and chief operating officer of Natáur. “Thanks to TEDCO’s recent investment, we can continue our commitment and work to offer more sustainable options for taurine production.”

Natáur, located in Baltimore, Md., is a company working to provide bio-based solutions for nutrient production. Taurine is used extensively in the nutrition, food, feed and personal care sectors. Currently, the market is primarily filled with synthetic taurine made from petrochemicals, posing risks to humans, animals and the environment.

“Technological innovation comes in many forms,” said Jean-Luc Park, senior director, Social Impact Funds. “This is one reason why TEDCO’s Funds are industry agnostic. With an inclusive umbrella, we are able to promote continued business growth across Maryland and allow for continued entrepreneurial development.”

TEDCO’s Pre-Seed Builder Fund finances companies through investments via convertible notes. Besides financial support, those chosen to receive a Builder Fund investment are given administrative assistance, mentorship and networking resources.

“Maryland is where innovation meets opportunity—home to a thriving ecosystem of research institutions, tech startups, and forward-thinking leaders driving the future of science, health and entrepreneurship,” said TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “For life sciences entrepreneurs, there is nowhere else more supportive with an abundance of unique, world-class resources than Maryland.”

TEDCO provides funding, resources and connections that early-stage technology and life sciences companies need to thrive in Maryland. For entrepreneurs interested in applying for TEDCO funding opportunities, visit our page here.

About TEDCO

TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

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Media Contact

Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@tedcomd.com

Rachael Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@tedcomd.com

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