About this programme
Concept Capital is a TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) program built to bridge the early-stage funding gap for underrepresented entrepreneurs across Maryland. It provides flexible funding and specialized support to founders in rural, disadvantaged, or historically underserved communities.
Beyond the capital itself, qualified founders can access one-on-one mentoring and advisory services, software for performance tracking and investment-readiness, and tailored guidance toward key venture milestones.
On TEDCO's funding program list, Concept Capital is marked as open, targeted at the pre-seed stage, for rural-based, underserved and diverse founders. TEDCO highlights several companies that have gone through the program, including Thermoreg, Game4Good, Pedestal, Nurse Lynx, Cravvn, and Worlds of Hello.
How it works
Concept Capital provides convertible notes ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, with founder-friendly terms including zero interest and negotiable valuation caps.
Who can apply
The business must be Maryland-based, with its principal office in Maryland and at least 51% of its workforce in-state.
The business must be technology-driven and not retail-focused.
The business must have been founded within the last 7 years.
The founder or business must be located in a rural or disadvantaged community, or the founder must be a socially and economically disadvantaged individual (SEDI), which TEDCO's site says includes minority, disabled, or female founders.
Frequently asked
What does Concept Capital invest?
A convertible note of $25,000 to $50,000, with zero interest and a negotiable valuation cap.
Who is Concept Capital for?
Underrepresented entrepreneurs across Maryland: founders in rural or disadvantaged communities, or founders who qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including minority, disabled, or female founders.
What support comes with the capital?
One-on-one mentoring and advisory services, performance tracking and investment-readiness software, and tailored guidance toward key venture milestones.
What stage does the program target?
TEDCO lists Concept Capital as a pre-seed stage program, and it is currently open to applicants.
Has the program funded real companies?
Yes. TEDCO names several past Concept Capital companies, including Thermoreg, Game4Good, Pedestal, Nurse Lynx, Cravvn, and Worlds of Hello.
More funding in Maryland
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Venture Fund
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Builder Fund
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Inclusion Fund
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Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII)
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Small rural Maryland tech businesses get free mentoring, strategy help, and connections to funding, with no cost to the company.
Seed Fund
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Maryland technology companies under 5 years old and under 250 employees can raise equity capital meant to make them venture-fundable.
All 8 programmes in Maryland →
Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.