Over $1 Million Awarded to Innovative Maryland University Projects by TEDCO
In a notable move to foster technological advancements in Maryland, TEDCO has announced the Maryland Innovation Initiative's (MII) Technology Assessment awards for the fiscal year 2025. This funding initiative has committed over $1 million in grants across seven distinguished projects submitted by various Maryland universities. This round of awards aims to facilitate the commercialization of innovative research that has shown promising preliminary results and demonstrates potential practical applications beyond basic laboratory studies.
The Maryland Innovation Initiative, which serves as a collaboration between the state and leading academic institutions in the region, aims to bridge the gap between research and market readiness. Returning once again to the spotlight, the latest funding deals a significant boost to Maryland’s technology ecosystem. According to Abi Kulshreshtha, MII's executive director, these funds are designed to support early-stage innovations that could lead to substantial benefits in healthcare, education, and other sectors. The projects selected this cycle illustrate a diverse range of applications, from cutting-edge cancer therapies to educational tools powered by artificial intelligence.
Among the grant recipients, Heather Ames from the University of Maryland, Baltimore stands out with Cell-HKer/siRaf, a promising therapeutic solution targeting solid tumors. Meanwhile, Kevin Aroom’s project aims at early diagnosis of medical conditions with the Baby Gro Pro Smartscale, developed at the University of Maryland, College Park. Additionally, Steven Bernstein is working on innovative approaches for glaucoma treatment through stem cell therapy, while Won Jin Ho focuses on harnessing PTPN22 as a mechanism to drive cancer immunotherapy effort at Johns Hopkins University.
The projects selected span a diverse array of fields and potentially transformative technologies. Melanie Killen's access-focused language processing techniques aspire to create inclusive educational environments. Another compelling venture is led by Yuxing Li, who is pioneering a specific endolysin therapy targeting C. difficile infection, also from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Finally, Venkataramana Sidhaye is researching inhaled gene therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) based on innovative transgene expressions, illustrating the variety of impactful scientific endeavors in the state.
The awards function not only as financial backing but also as a means to connect startup companies under TEDCO’s MII portfolio to a wealth of support resources, including mentorship opportunities. This initiative has been fundamental in nurturing Maryland's emerging technology landscape, which has since its inception, generated around 400 job opportunities and supported more than 190 startups.
Renée Winsky, chair of the MII Board of Directors, expressed optimism about the initiative’s future: "MII continues to drive innovation from lab to market and reflects our commitment to integrating promising technologies into the commercial sector comprehensively. We foresee further expansion and evolution as we incorporate additional universities and pilot programs, fostering equitable innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout Maryland."
To add to this complementing innovation ecosystem, TEDCO has extended its support to two additional comprehensive universities—Frostburg State University and Bowie State University—further enhancing the diversity and reach of its programs. The Baltimore Innovation Initiative (BII) also deserves mention, as it aims to cultivate a more inclusive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the local area, spotlighting TEDCO’s mission to empower underrepresented voices in technological advancement.
For more information on the Maryland Innovation Initiative and its funding opportunities, interested parties can visit the MII webpage. TEDCO remains committed to empowering the growth of technology-driven companies, fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders in Maryland.
About TEDCO: The Maryland Technology Development Corporation, TEDCO, strives to enhance economic growth by promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem rooted in inclusivity. Their mission encompasses identifying, investing, and nurturing technology and life sciences companies supporting Maryland’s innovation landscape.
The Maryland Innovation Initiative, which serves as a collaboration between the state and leading academic institutions in the region, aims to bridge the gap between research and market readiness. Returning once again to the spotlight, the latest funding deals a significant boost to Maryland’s technology ecosystem. According to Abi Kulshreshtha, MII's executive director, these funds are designed to support early-stage innovations that could lead to substantial benefits in healthcare, education, and other sectors. The projects selected this cycle illustrate a diverse range of applications, from cutting-edge cancer therapies to educational tools powered by artificial intelligence.
Among the grant recipients, Heather Ames from the University of Maryland, Baltimore stands out with Cell-HKer/siRaf, a promising therapeutic solution targeting solid tumors. Meanwhile, Kevin Aroom’s project aims at early diagnosis of medical conditions with the Baby Gro Pro Smartscale, developed at the University of Maryland, College Park. Additionally, Steven Bernstein is working on innovative approaches for glaucoma treatment through stem cell therapy, while Won Jin Ho focuses on harnessing PTPN22 as a mechanism to drive cancer immunotherapy effort at Johns Hopkins University.
The projects selected span a diverse array of fields and potentially transformative technologies. Melanie Killen's access-focused language processing techniques aspire to create inclusive educational environments. Another compelling venture is led by Yuxing Li, who is pioneering a specific endolysin therapy targeting C. difficile infection, also from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Finally, Venkataramana Sidhaye is researching inhaled gene therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) based on innovative transgene expressions, illustrating the variety of impactful scientific endeavors in the state.
The awards function not only as financial backing but also as a means to connect startup companies under TEDCO’s MII portfolio to a wealth of support resources, including mentorship opportunities. This initiative has been fundamental in nurturing Maryland's emerging technology landscape, which has since its inception, generated around 400 job opportunities and supported more than 190 startups.
Renée Winsky, chair of the MII Board of Directors, expressed optimism about the initiative’s future: "MII continues to drive innovation from lab to market and reflects our commitment to integrating promising technologies into the commercial sector comprehensively. We foresee further expansion and evolution as we incorporate additional universities and pilot programs, fostering equitable innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout Maryland."
To add to this complementing innovation ecosystem, TEDCO has extended its support to two additional comprehensive universities—Frostburg State University and Bowie State University—further enhancing the diversity and reach of its programs. The Baltimore Innovation Initiative (BII) also deserves mention, as it aims to cultivate a more inclusive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the local area, spotlighting TEDCO’s mission to empower underrepresented voices in technological advancement.
For more information on the Maryland Innovation Initiative and its funding opportunities, interested parties can visit the MII webpage. TEDCO remains committed to empowering the growth of technology-driven companies, fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders in Maryland.
About TEDCO: The Maryland Technology Development Corporation, TEDCO, strives to enhance economic growth by promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem rooted in inclusivity. Their mission encompasses identifying, investing, and nurturing technology and life sciences companies supporting Maryland’s innovation landscape.
Topics Business Technology）
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