Company aims to create immunization options for plants
COLUMBIA, Md., (January 12, 2026) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced a recent $250,000 follow-on Inclusion Fund investment in Silvec Biologics. TEDCO’s Inclusion Fund rests under the umbrella of the Social Impact Funds, a group of investment funds dedicated to uplifting underrepresented entrepreneurs across Maryland.
“Trees, vines and bushes produce around 30% of agricultural products, so when there is a disease, it can be devastating to food production,” said Rafael Simon, CEO of Silvec Biologics. “Thanks to TEDCO’s investment, we look forward to continuing research and development on a lasting solution to protect against various pathogens.”
Silvec Biologics, located in Gaithersburg, Md., is developing a product to immunize and enhance plants without genetic modification, hopefully allowing for long-term protection against pathogens.
“The applications of agricultural innovations expand past the state of Maryland and change current practices for the better, making them exciting to watch develop,” said Jean-Luc Park, deputy chief investment officer & senior director, Social Impact Funds, TEDCO. “TEDCO hopes to see Silvec’s continued growth as this investment allows them to support further development.”
Before this investment, Silvec Biologics received the Maryland Innovation Initiative’s Company Formation award in 2021 and a previous dual investment from TEDCO’s Venture and Social Impact Funds.
“With a growing workforce and recently named as one of the top three educated states in the nation, Maryland is a perfect location to start and grow technology and life sciences businesses,” said TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “The talented workforce, numerous universities and colleges, and vast opportunities will bring companies brilliant minds searching for work, thereby enabling growth.”
For more information, visit our page at www.tedcomd.com/funding.