Maryland Aims to Lead the Nation in Federal Research Commercialization with Newly Funded Program
TEDCO collaborates with the Frederick Innovation Technology Center to improve Federal technology commercialization.
July 10, 2024
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Maryland is poised to maximize the potential of its numerous federal labs through a groundbreaking new initiative. As the state with the highest concentration of federal research facilities, Maryland has unique access to cutting-edge technologies and world-class experts. Despite this, small businesses often struggle to collaborate with these resources due to various barriers, from lack of knowledge to intimidation by the labs’ sheer size.
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, has introduced the Federal Lab Leveraging Innovation to Products (FLLIP) Pilot Program to bridge this gap. Announced recently, the FLLIP Pilot Program, a collaborative effort between TEDCO and the Frederick Innovation Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI), aims to develop strategies that will better connect small businesses with federal labs, particularly focusing on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses in Maryland. The initiative is supported by $1,150,000 in federal funding and was the centerpiece of a roundtable discussion at TEDCO’s new headquarters in Downtown Columbia, attended by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes.
Enhancing Maryland’s Innovation Ecosystem
Senator Cardin underscored the importance of these federal labs as “centers of innovation and research” and the necessity for Maryland to enhance connections between these assets and private sector entrepreneurs to create strategic partnerships that will drive innovation and support economic growth.
Senator Van Hollen pointed out that these efforts not only benefit small businesses but also ensure that federal funds contribute to building a more inclusive economy. Congressman Sarbanes added that this initiative is intended to establish a model for future collaborations, enabling Maryland to fully leverage its federal research assets.
According to Stephen Auvil, Chief Federal Engagement Officer at TEDCO, and Kim Mozingo, Director of Federal Programs at TEDCO, the FLLIP Pilot Program will shift the dynamic from small companies reaching out to federal labs to one in which researchers are actively engaging with companies for innovative collaborations. The program uses the ACES framework, which involves assessing companies’ needs, connecting them with appropriate federal projects, engaging them with the labs, and supporting these partnerships through various resources.
Setting a New Standard for Innovation
During the roundtable, participants shared their experiences and optimism about the new program. Mina Izadjoo, President and Chief Science Officer at Integrated Pharma Services, expressed her excitement about the initiative, highlighting its potential to bridge the gap between federal innovation and the private sector.
This enthusiasm was shared by others at the discussion, who emphasized that the FLLIP Pilot Program could foster a thriving ecosystem in Maryland, driving small business growth and bringing more innovations to market.
TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall closed the discussion by highlighting TEDCO’s commitment to “leading innovation to market.” The federal funding secured by Cardin, Van Hollen, and Sarbanes will help TEDCO and FITCI support more innovative projects, positioning Maryland as a national leader in commercialization and innovation.
Additional Resources for Federal Commercialization
Several other organizations also offer valuable resources to support the commercialization of federal technologies:
- ScienceWerx: A Frederick-based non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of technologies for the betterment of humankind. ScienceWerx has created an ecosystem of resources to provide access to capital, technology transfer offices, industry-trained professionals, and facilities in order to facilitate the launch of new ventures and market entry.
- BioHealth Innovation (BHI): BHI assists life sciences companies by providing funding, management expertise, and strategic guidance, supporting their growth and commercialization efforts.
- The Center for Advancing Innovation (CAI): a Bethesda-based non-profit with a mission to accelerate and increase the volume of technology commercialization to make valuable research assets available for the world, to create new companies, generate knowledge-based jobs and boost underserved ecosystems to make positive economic impact, and to find and nurture entrepreneurs through “business of science” training from subject matter experts to ignite entrepreneurship
Learn More
For more details on the FLLIP Pilot Program and to watch the roundtable discussion, visit TEDCO’s website at www.tedcomd.com. TEDCO continues to foster economic growth by nurturing an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem and supporting technology and life science-based companies in Maryland.
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