Women are often the backbone of families, leading with love, empathy, vision, strategy, and passion. We are natural problem-solvers, builders, and doers— give something to a busy woman, and it will surely be handled with precision and care.
State legislators encounter similar challenges when working to bolster Maryland’s innovation economy. They must weigh initiatives that are designed to spur growth against budget realities, while devising creative solutions in response to the outside forces reshaping conditions on the ground.
Small, women- and minority-owned businesses possess the talent, innovation and drive to succeed. However, these businesses are often at a disadvantage when starting out and then overlooked when competing against larger organizations. But Maryland is creating a state where businesses of all kinds can thrive.
At TEDCO, we have a playlist of songs (featured here and here) that we each find inspiring or that speak to the core values of TEDCO. For myself, that song is Hold On Tight by Electric Light Orchestra. The lyrics refer to the tenacity and determination needed to ‘hold on tight to your dreams’ whether you are an artist or an entrepreneur.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Maryland's technology ecosystem was a collection of promising startups, research institutions and corporate innovators, but it lacked a central hub to bring them together. The state's entrepreneurial landscape was fragmented, with pockets of innovation scattered across different regions, often disconnected from one another.
TEDCO’s commitment to Collaboration means more than just working together – it’s about building trust and credibility across the entire organization and with all the innovators and entrepreneurs we support throughout the state. From my very first day, it was clear that this value is central to everything we do. Whether it's an open exchange of ideas during meetings or the way we encourage and help each other through challenges, Collaboration fosters a supportive environment that allows everyone to thrive.
“The boxer Mike Tyson famously said, ‘everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.’” This is a statement that reflects what many seasoned entrepreneurs understand – that a plan is just that, a plan that will inevitably undergo revisions and change.
The startup world often flaunts explosive growth and billion-dollar exits. However, for founders identifying as socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI), the journey to success might require a more robust approach. Facing unique challenges in the funding landscape, SEDI-led companies must prioritize building strong foundations and sustainable growth over rapid expansion fueled by external capital.
Another August has begun, ushering in the dog days of summer with record heat and humidity, vacations, BBQs, and pool parties. For fans of top-tier international racing, it's also time for the last Formula One race before the summer break: the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
United States venture capital funders are realizing the value of female founders. A recent Pitchbook report paints a promising picture: investments in women-led startups nationwide reached a record high in 2023, with a staggering 30% increase from the previous year. Maryland is leading the charge of this national movement, where $2.2B has been invested in 549 deals with female-founded organizations. Investors like TEDCO are pivotal in fostering an ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs.