TEDCO Seed Fund
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation)
Seed equity investment
MD seed equity for early-stage tech companies
Maryland's seed-stage equity investment program backing early-stage technology companies that show potential to become venture-fundable or achieve revenue sustainability. TEDCO takes an equity stake in exchange for the investment. Targets companies across all technology sectors with no industry restrictions. Rolling applications reviewed on an ongoing basis via an online portal.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $50,000 – $500,000
- Realistic amount
- Most Seed Fund investments fall between $100,000 and $300,000. TEDCO often co-invests alongside angel investors or other…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round through the online portal. No annual deadline.
- Status
- active
- States
- MD
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Company must be an early-stage technology business with strong growth potential
- Preference for companies that will be 'venture fundable' or achieve revenue sustainability through the investment
- Must be willing to accept equity investment (TEDCO takes an ownership stake)
- Maryland-based or willing to establish Maryland operations as a condition of investment
- Technology must be innovative and differentiated — TEDCO is sector and stage agnostic within technology
- Applications submitted through the online portal; no email or mail applications accepted
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Unrestricted once investment closes — proceeds can be used for any business operating purpose
- Product development and engineering
- Hiring key technical and commercial staff
- Customer acquisition and early sales
- Working capital and operational expenses
- IP protection and legal costs
Ineligible expenses
- No formal expense restrictions — equity investment proceeds are unrestricted
- TEDCO will expect capital to be deployed against milestones discussed during due diligence; material deviation from the plan may affect follow-on investment consideration
How to apply
-
1
Submit application through TEDCO's online seed application portal
Apply at tedco.tfaforms.net/f/seedapplication. Provide company overview, technology description, market opportunity, team background, financial projections, and funding ask. Confirm receipt by emailing investments@tedcomd.com after submission — applications received via email alone are not reviewed.
~4 hrs
-
2
Initial screening and TEDCO staff review
TEDCO staff reviews submitted applications and responds within 2–4 weeks. Companies that pass screening are invited for an initial meeting or pitch call to discuss the opportunity in more detail.
~4 hrs
-
3
Due diligence
TEDCO conducts technical, market, and team due diligence. This typically involves customer reference calls, technology validation, financial model review, and background checks on founders. Duration: 4–12 weeks depending on complexity.
~4 hrs
-
4
Investment committee review and approval
TEDCO staff presents the investment to an investment committee (and board, for larger amounts). Approval typically takes 2–4 weeks after due diligence completion. TEDCO communicates the investment terms at this stage.
~4 hrs
-
5
Negotiation, term sheet, and closing
Negotiate investment terms (valuation, instrument, pro-rata rights, board seat if applicable). Execute legal documents. Funds disbursed at closing. Total process from application to close: typically 3–6 months.
~4 hrs
TEDCO is relationship-driven — warm introductions from Maryland's tech ecosystem (local angels, university TTO staff, or MII program alumni) dramatically increase screening-to-meeting conversion. Cold portal submissions take longer. TEDCO also co-invests with angels, so having a co-investor lined up accelerates the process.
Deadline & timing
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Initial response from TEDCO staff typically within 2–4 weeks of submission. Full due diligence and investment decision typically takes 3–6 months. TEDCO board must approve investments above a certain threshold.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.