The Corporation helps businesses get started and grow through the commercialization of technology developed in Maryland by university researchers, the private sector, and federal laboratories. Throughout all regions of the State, the Corporation seeks to create and sustain business, and create jobs in technology-related industry.
MARYLAND VENTURE FUND
The Maryland Venture Fund originally organized within the Department of Business and Economic Development as the Investment Financing Group in 1995. Formerly under the Department's Division of Financing Programs, the Maryland Venture Fund transferred to Technology Strategy and Business Development in December 2003, and reformed as Venture Capital under the Deputy Secretary of Business and Economic Development in 2005. It further restructured in July 2009 under the Office of Finance Programs, and in July 2012 moved to the Office of Secretary of Business and Economic Development. In October 2015, the Fund was made part of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (Chapter 141, Acts of 2015).
Direct investment in Maryland companies is provided by the Maryland Venture Fund through Challenge Investment; Enterprise Investment; and Enterprise Venture-Capital Limited Partnership (Code Economic Development Article, secs. 6-501 through 6-529).
Challenge Investment Program. The Program initially may invest $50,000 as "seed money" in a technology-driven Maryland company. Matched with $50,000 from a co-investor, the Program provides a new business with $100,000 in capital. As the new business progresses and attains certain milestones, Venture Capital may authorize up to two increments of $25,000. The investment is to be repaid over a ten-year period. A Challenge recipient must keep its principal place of business in Maryland for three years. After two years, the business should have at least the potential to be considered for a direct equity investment from the Enterprise Investment Fund. Since FY1993, the Program has made 80 investments, totalling $4.35 million. Although the Program's investments are all start-up financing with higher risks, 75 percent of recipients are still in business, and ten recipients have qualified for direct equity investment from the Enterprise Investment Fund.
Enterprise Investment Fund. Created in late 1993, the Fund enables the Maryland Technology Development Corporation to make direct equity investments (i.e., buy stock) in "early-stage" technology-driven businesses in Maryland. Investments range from $150,000 to $500,000. The decision to invest is based on the potential return, the range of economic development, and the number of jobs that will be created. Requiring a three-to-one co-investor match, the Fund has invested $11 million in 32 firms since FY1993.
Enterprise Venture Capital Limited Partnership Fund. Since FY1995, the Enterprise Investment Fund has invested in six private sector Venture Capital Limited Partnerships to encourage private investment in early stage, high technology Maryland-based firms.
The Authority oversees both the certification and selection of venture firms to receive capital raised from insurance companies, and the use of capital by the selected venture firms. The Authority also advises and consults with the Maryland Technology Development Corporation concerning the InvestMaryland Program whereby insurance companies receive tax credits for contributing to certain agency funds. The Program provides funding to spur growth and innovation through venture capital investment.
Nine members constitute the Authority. Seven are appointed by the Governor, one by the Senate President, and one by the House Speaker (Code Economic Development Article, secs. 6-501 through 6-529).
TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION FUND
Through the Technology Commercialization Fund, the Corporation provides "seed money" to early-stage technology companies that are economically viable but have not yet attracted venture capital investment. The Corporation helps these companies raise additional funding from federal government grants, private investors, and product sales.
MARYLAND INNOVATION INITIATIVE
MARYLAND STEM CELL RESEARCH FUND
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS
University Partnerships formed in 2012 and is responsible for two programs: the Maryland Innovation Initiative, and the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund.
Within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, the Maryland Innovation Initiative was created in July 2012 (Chapter 450, Acts of 2012). The Initiative promotes the commercialization of research conducted in universities in the State. It encourages qualifying universities to partner with each other and with federal laboratories located in Maryland on commercialization and other activities. The Initiative also works to facilitate the transfer of technology from universities to commercial industries.
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund was created in 2006 (Chapter 19, Acts of 2006). Through grants and loans to public and private entities in Maryland, the Fund promotes stem cell research leading to prevention of and medical treatments for human diseases. The Fund receives appropriations through the State budget and may accept money from any other source for the benefit of the Fund (Code Economic Development Article, sec. 10-434).
MARYLAND STEM CELL RESEARCH COMMISSION
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission was established in 2006 as an independent
entity within the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (Chapter 19, Acts of 2006). The Commission develops regulations to ensure that stem cell research, financed by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, complies with State law. Moreover, the Commission establishes guidelines, criteria, and procedures for the review, evaluation, and award of grants and loans from the Fund (Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-431 through 10-442).
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