Inside the region’s largest startup gathering — where biotech, medtech, and health innovation meet capital, collaboration, and opportunity.
After more than a decade of shaping Maryland’s entrepreneurial landscape, TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo is premiering it’s best program yet. On October 21, 2025, at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, more than 1,000 founders, investors, researchers, and ecosystem builders will converge for one full day of high-impact networking, funding insights, and visionary programming.
For over 10 years, the Expo has been the epicenter of innovation in the Mid-Atlantic — a crossroads where ideas meet investment, and collaboration fuels commercialization. This year’s event, hosted by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), draws attendees from North Carolina to New York, including startup founders, venture capitalists, academic leaders, policymakers, and corporate innovators.
🧬 Why It Matters for Life Science, Medtech, and Health Tech Founders
The 2025 Expo builds on TEDCO’s deep roots in biotechnology and life sciences — industries that have made Maryland and the broader region a global leader in translational research, clinical development, and bio-manufacturing. Across every track, from “From Lab to Market” to “Capital & Global Connections,” entrepreneurs will find sessions tailored to their most urgent needs: navigating regulation, securing funding, accelerating commercialization, and connecting with partners who can help scale impact.
For life science founders, the value proposition is clear: TEDCO’s Expo bridges the gap between discovery and market. Whether you’re a scientist-turned-founder working on breakthrough therapeutics, a medtech innovator preparing for clinical validation, or a health data startup building AI-driven solutions, the Expo offers access to:
- Investors actively funding early-stage biotech and health ventures
- Resources for regulatory strategy, SBIR/STTR funding, and proof-of-concept support
- Partners in academia, government, and industry who can accelerate go-to-market
💡 For Investors and Ecosystem Builders
For venture firms, angels, and corporate innovation teams, TEDCO’s Expo is a curated, one-day snapshot of the region’s most promising deal flow — a showcase of the startups, technologies, and research partnerships shaping the future of health, science, and technology in the Mid-Atlantic. With more than 100 exhibitors and 20+ sessions, the event delivers both a pipeline of opportunity and a panoramic view of the region’s innovation economy.
From early-stage biotech and diagnostics to AI-powered medical devices and precision health, the Expo has become the place to discover new ventures before they scale — and to connect with the people building what’s next.
From Lab to Market: Powering the Next Wave of Life Science Innovation
Biotech and health innovation anchor this year’s programming — with sessions that tackle commercialization, regulation, and investment across the life science landscape.
- Funding the Future: Life Sciences and Emerging Technologies
Featuring Myra Norton (Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures), Deborah Hemingway (Ecphora Capital), Maggie Scully (Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research), and Arti Santhanam (Emerging Technology Centers)
→ Explore how investors and researchers are closing the gap between early discovery and market-ready solutions — and why Maryland continues to attract life science capital from across the East Coast. - AI’s Role in the Next Era of Regenerative Medicine
Moderated by Ruchika Nijhara, Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (TEDCO)
→ Discover how AI is accelerating advancements in tissue engineering, cell therapy, and gene editing — transforming patient access and clinical efficiency. - Navigating the Road to Clinical Trials in Regenerative Medicine
Moderated by Ben Antebi, Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (TEDCO)
→ Hear from Luis Alvarez (Theradaptive), Luis Garza (Johns Hopkins University), and others leading Maryland’s translation of novel therapeutics from the bench to bedside. - Regulating at the Speed of Science
Featuring Adora Ndu (BridgeBio Pharma) and Elaine Haynes (KaloCyte, Inc.)
→ Gain perspective on how innovators and regulators can collaborate to safely advance breakthrough medical technologies.
Together, these sessions spotlight Maryland’s leadership in biotechnology and translational research — and why investors, founders, and policymakers from across the Mid-Atlantic are watching closely.
Capital & Global Connections: Fuel for Growth
Capital access and international collaboration are front and center at this year’s Expo, giving startups the financial and strategic tools to scale beyond borders.
- Access to Capital: Different Funding Sources for Startups
→ A practical look at debt, equity, and alternative financing — helping early-stage founders design capital strategies that match their growth path. - Thinking Like an Investor: What Founders Often Miss
Featuring Aurelia Flores (Virginia Venture Partners) and Dahna Goldstein (Halcyon Venture Partners)
→ Step inside the investor mindset to learn what really drives funding decisions and how to position your pitch for success. - Reverse Engineering Your Exit: Growth with the End in Mind
→ Learn how successful founders and advisors plan their business strategies backward — from ideal exits like M&A or IPO to today’s tactical choices. - Asia and Maryland: Accelerating Growth Through Cross-Border Investments
Featuring global leaders from Korea Venture Investment Corporation and AIIDA Taiwan, moderated by TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall
→ Gain an inside look at how Maryland is cultivating cross-border partnerships in life sciences and technology, creating new global pathways for capital and innovation.
Why Startups and Investors Across the Mid-Atlantic Should Attend
From North Carolina to New York, innovators are converging at TEDCO’s Expo for one reason — this is where connections turn into capital and ideas become impact.
Attendees can expect:
- 20+ sessions across five curated tracks
- 100+ exhibitors showcasing next-generation technologies
- Pitch competitions and startup showcases for early-stage founders
- Direct access to investors, global partners, and state leaders
Whether you’re a biotech founder looking for funding, a researcher navigating commercialization, or an investor scouting the next major breakthrough, the TEDCO Expo is your launchpad into the Mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic innovation community.
This year’s event doubles as a celebration — a decade of catalyzing collaboration, capital, and community across the region. Come see why Maryland has become a national model for innovation ecosystems that truly work.
👉 Register now at tedcomdexpo.com and be part of the Mid-Atlantic’s most anticipated startup gathering of the year.
