About this programme
TEDCO's Seed Fund invests in Maryland technology companies that show promise of becoming venture-fundable, or that can otherwise sustain themselves through customer revenue, follow-on funding, or other forms of corporate venture. The fund deploys money from Maryland's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
The Seed Fund is really a set of more specific investment programs: the Technology Commercialization Fund, the Cybersecurity Investment Fund, the Life Science Investment Fund and the Gap Fund. Past recipients across these programs include MF Fire, Factory Four, CoolTech, Eyrus, Yet Analytics, Bricata, Racktop Systems, Ardent Privacy and Aloe Therapeutics.
How it works
Companies must be willing to sign a five-year agreement, commonly called a clawback, as a condition of accepting the investment. The clawback lets TEDCO divest from a company that stops qualifying as a Maryland-based business.
TEDCO can still invest in a company that does not otherwise qualify if that company promises substantial economic impact for Maryland, such as job growth and capital investment.
Who can apply
For first-time seed applicants, the company must have started operations within five years of the application date.
The company cannot have more than 250 employees.
The company cannot have received over $15,000,000 in outside funding, not counting funding from TEDCO or grants.
The company must be technology-based, applying science for practical purposes, with products or processes that are or will be protectable as intellectual property, relying on that technology for a competitive advantage.
The company must be Maryland-based: more than half its workforce (counting full-time employees and active founders) must work from a physical Maryland location, and its headquarters must be in Maryland.
TEDCO cannot invest in sole proprietorships (the company must be an entity such as a corporation or LLC), or in companies primarily engaged in retail sales, real estate development, insurance, banking or lending, or professional accounting, law or medical services.
How to apply
- Submit an application through the MyTEDCO Portal.
Frequently asked
How young does my company need to be?
For a first-time seed application, the company must have started operations within the last five years.
Is there a cap on prior funding?
Yes. You cannot have received over $15,000,000 in outside funding, not counting money from TEDCO or grants.
What sectors are excluded?
Retail sales, real estate development, insurance, banking or lending, and professional accounting, law or medical services, plus sole proprietorships as a business structure.
Is there an exception to the eligibility rules?
Yes. TEDCO may still invest in a company that does not otherwise qualify if it promises substantial economic impact for Maryland, such as job growth and capital investment.
Is there a commitment attached to the investment?
Yes. Companies must be willing to sign a five-year clawback agreement tied to staying a Maryland-based business.
Is the Seed Fund one program or several?
It covers several more specific funds: the Technology Commercialization Fund, the Cybersecurity Investment Fund, the Life Science Investment Fund and the Gap Fund.
More funding in Maryland
Concept Capital
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) · Maryland
Rural or underrepresented Maryland tech founders can get a zero-interest convertible note of $25,000 to $50,000 plus mentoring.
Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII)
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation), with Johns Hopkins, Morgan State, UMB, UMBC and UMD College Park · Maryland
TEDCO's university-technology commercialization fund pairs Maryland research institutions with startups to take licensed IP from lab to company.
Venture Fund
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) · Maryland
Maryland's state venture arm invests $500,000 to $1.5 million directly in promising early-stage Maryland companies.
Builder Fund
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) · Maryland
Maryland tech startups majority-owned by socially or economically disadvantaged founders can apply to TEDCO's Builder Fund for equity investment.
Inclusion Fund
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) · Maryland
Maryland tech startups with meaningful ownership by disadvantaged founders can get equity funding through TEDCO's Inclusion Fund.
Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII)
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) · Maryland
Small rural Maryland tech businesses get free mentoring, strategy help, and connections to funding, with no cost to the company.
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.