Tailwind featured in Discoveries + Breakthroughs - 05/01/2011 Regaining Strength After Stroke 
Ten Startup Technology Companies Showcase Innovations to Venture Capitalists
“Power of 10” forum provided angel investors and venture capitalists with insight into available technology investment opportunities
“Forums such as these are a great way for early stage technology companies to learn what angel investors and venture capitalists are looking for so they can secure additional capital to fund the next stage of development,” said Renée Winsky, president and executive director of TEDCO. “TEDCO provides Maryland startups with essential seed funding needed to commercialize their technology. However, it’s investors like those who attended ‘Power of 10’ who can really elevate a company to the next level of success.”
At “Power of 10,” each company was given 10 minutes to outline their technologies and present their commercialization plans to attending investors and audience members. The companies were:
- AriaVax, Inc., located in Gaithersburg, Md., which is working on small molecule vaccines. The business has previously received TEDCO funding.
- CCC Diagnostics, LLC, based in Baltimore, which is assisting physicians in designing personalized treatment regimens for patients fighting breast, lung, colon, gastric, esophageal and pancreatic cancers. The organization has received TEDCO funding in the past.
- Countervail Corporation, located in Charlotte, N.C., which is researching existing drugs as antidotes for volatile nerve gas and pesticide poisoning. It has licensed technology from the University of Maryland and previously received funding from the University of Baltimore (UMB).
- Encore Path, Inc., based in Baltimore, which is developing a device for regenerating nerve feedback from arm to brain in stroke survivors. The company has received prior funding from TEDCO and UMB.
- Gene Facelift, LLC, located in Baltimore, which is working on improved long-term skin cosmetic appearance via gene constructs expressing growth factors. It has received funding from the Johns Hopkins University in the past.
- Infratrac, Inc., based in Silver Spring, Md., which is working on a hand-held spectroscopy that can distinguish authentic chemical goods from fake or adulterated goods. The company has received funding in the past from TEDCO and UMB.
- New Agriculture, Inc., based in Port Tobacco, Md., which is developing nutritional proteins and biochemicals from tobacco plants. It has received previous funding from TEDCO and the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP).
- Pique, Inc., based in Baltimore, which is working on technology for easing the pain caused by heeled shoes. The company has received prior funding from TEDCO and UMBC.
- Precision Polymers, located in College Park, Md., which is working on catalysts that produce novel polyolefin compounds. The business has received prior funding from TEDCO and UMCP.
- SpiralCat Innovations, Inc., based in Elkton, Md., which is working on devices that convert human waste to energy, water and soil amendment. It has received TEDCO support in the past.
“There is a great wealth of technology opportunities available to investors in Maryland,” said Sam Medile, creator of the Capital Exchange Group, a group of angel investors that was one of the 25 investors at the event. “I hope that the 10 companies that showcased their plans for technology commercialization received valuable insight into what the investor community is looking for, as well as opened doors to potential new funding opportunities.
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), an independent entity, was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO’s role is to be Maryland’s leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for the development, transfer and commercialization of technology. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance. For the fourth consecutive year, TEDCO was recognized as the most active early/seed stage investor in the nation in the July 2007 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. For more information on TEDCO and its programs and resources, visit www.MarylandTEDCO.org.
