On October 21, 2025, over 1,000 entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and ecosystem supporters convened at The Hotel at the University of Maryland for the highly anticipated TEDCO EXPO 2025—the 11th annual gathering of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). The event, widely recognized as the state’s flagship platform for innovation-driven companies, delivered a vibrant showcase of Maryland’s entrepreneurial spirit, technological advancements, and expanding international reach.
This year’s Expo featured more than 100 exhibitors representing tech, life science, and emerging industries; keynote addresses from Governor Wes Moore and TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall; and four significant global partnership announcements with Jordan, Taiwan, and South Korea, signaling the state’s intensified focus on international market connectivity.
Forging Global Connections: New International Partnerships Headline TEDCO EXPO 2025
A signature theme of TEDCO EXPO 2025 was the expansion of Maryland’s innovation ecosystem to a global stage. Governor Moore and TEDCO executives unveiled diverse international collaborations—including a landmark $50 million investment agreement with Taiwanese partners and new programs with Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and two South Korean venture organizations. These initiatives will foster co-investment, startup exchanges, and access to global markets for Maryland-based companies while cultivating the cross-pollination of talent and innovation.
The Jordan partnership was notably launched at the Expo, building on recent diplomatic roundtables to strengthen ties between Jordanian and Maryland startups. Similar collaborations with Korea Venture Investment Corp and KUnicorn Investment LLC aim to facilitate government-funded programs, deep tech scaling, and mutual market expansion—demonstrating Maryland’s rising reputation as an international innovation hub.
Local Impact: A Day of Community, Inclusion, and Entrepreneurial Achievement
Beyond international headlines, TEDCO EXPO 2025 underscored its commitment to Maryland’s local business community. TEDCO announced over $4 million in grants for round two of the Equitech Growth Fund, further reinforcing the state’s commitment to equitable access to startup capital. Attendees described the Expo as overwhelmingly energetic, with meaningful connections spanning founders, investors, and students. Themed sessions addressed accessible capital, diverse innovation, and practical scaling strategies; workshops featured hands-on advice from leading business executives and successful entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneur Arion Long, founder of Femly, highlighted resource-driven conversations and inclusive innovation, noting the value of SSBCI discussions in shaping the region’s capital landscape. The day’s fireside chat between TEDCO CEO Troy Stovall and Governor Wes Moore resonated with attendees, reinforcing confidence in Maryland’s policy stability and its focus on growth despite changing national and international business climates.
TEDCO’s student-oriented “Entrepreneur Survival Guide” session, moderated by Sephora Saint-Armand and Jalaycia Lewis, brought young founders into the spotlight, offering nuanced perspectives on balancing academics, startups, and personal development—amplifying a message of resilience and possibility for the next generation.
Celebrating Innovation: Pitch Competition, Awards, and Exhibition Highlights
A centerpiece of the Expo was its competitive pitch events, with Modelus winning the $5,000 student business plan award and BioEvanesce taking the Concept Capital Pitch Competition, exemplifying the vibrancy of Maryland’s research-oriented life sciences startups. Exhibitors ranged from startups and growth-stage ventures to support organizations such as Maryland MEP, shining a light on the strength and diversity of the state’s economic engine.
Panels explored essential topics—from regulation in science (featuring experts from Johnson & Johnson, BridgeBio Pharma, and more) to scaling deep tech and navigating the unique realities facing local founders. Attendees also enjoyed demonstrations, such as RobotLab’s humanoid robot, which offered a glimpse into the future of service robots and their role in daily life, sparking lively conversations on the intersection of automation and human engagement.
Alongside hardware innovations, cutting-edge life sciences research garnered significant attention, with organoid research emerging as a focal point—recognized as a breakthrough frontier in biological research and regenerative medicine
Voices From the Expo: Real Stories and Community Reflections
Attendees shared enthusiasm for TEDCO EXPO 2025 across social media. Troy Stovall thanked “Maryland entrepreneurs & innovators,” noting the inclusion of friends from Jordan, South Korea, and Taiwan—affirming the community’s global reach. Investors, startup founders, and consultants echoed the Expo’s value, citing diverse learning experiences, new partnerships, and fresh motivation to advance Maryland’s collaborative life sciences and technology sectors.
Panels like “Smart Path to Customers, Cash, and Scale,” moderated by Troy Stovall and featuring leaders such as Marissa Levin and Doyle Mitchell, encouraged open, research-backed discussion on how leadership qualities and strategic direction fuel entrepreneurial success.
Students and first-time attendees remarked on the Expo’s welcoming atmosphere, with opportunities to network, gain practical insights, and celebrate Maryland’s rising status as a leader in equitable growth and innovation.
What’s Ahead for TEDCO & the Region
TEDCO EXPO 2025 was a much-needed catalyst and nod to Maryland’s place in the nation’s entrepreneurship and tech ecosystem, and for ongoing community growth. By blending international partnerships, practical business support, and lifestyle-driven insights, TEDCO and Maryland’s innovation community delivered actionable value for participants at every stage, offering evergreen lessons for entrepreneurs navigating a changing world: Build meaningful connections, embrace diversity in innovation, stay resilient in the face of shifting markets, and look beyond borders for growth and partnership opportunities. As Governor Moore said, “Be authentically yourself”—a mantra for Maryland’s ongoing journey at the forefront of entrepreneurship and technology. TEDCO 2025 marked the organization’s final annual expo, making the gathering a milestone worth celebrating—over a decade of fostering Maryland’s innovation ecosystem.
