Maryland's Future Delve into at 2025 Expo via SSBCI Discussion Led by TEDCO Panel
Maryland's entrepreneurial ecosystem is set to receive a significant boost, as TEDCO, the state's economic engine for technology companies, has secured up to $50 million in funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). This funding will be distributed amongst various TEDCO funds, including Venture Funds, Seed Funds, Social Impact Funds, and the $10 million earmarked for the Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) Equity program.
On October 21, 2025, at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, TEDCO will host a panel called "Investing in Maryland's Future: SSBCI in Action" as part of the 2025 Entrepreneur Expo. This event, a "can't miss" for entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and thought leaders, is Maryland's premier gathering in the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The panel will be moderated by Jack Miner, TEDCO's chief investment officer, and will feature Emily McMahan from AIN Ventures, Shalanda Armstrong from 100KM Ventures, Elias Mufarech from Collide Capital, and Sarah Sheppard from Maryland Department of Commerce.
Three of the funds that will benefit from the SSBCI funding—AIN Ventures, 100KM Ventures, and Collide Capital—will be sharing their investment strategies at the event. Collide Capital, a Black-owned venture capital firm, emphasizes capital allocation to founders best positioned to address global challenges. With over 80% of its backed founders identifying as Black, Latine, and/or female, Collide Capital aims to equip founders with essential resources, knowledge networks, and hands-on support to help them succeed.
100KM Ventures and AIN Ventures, while specific detailed strategies were not fully outlined, are part of the SSBCI-backed TEDCO Venture Capital Limited Partnership (VCLP) program. This program targets inclusive growth within Maryland's innovation economy by deploying public-private capital to support early-stage companies, particularly from underserved communities, to bridge gaps within the venture capital system.
The two-part session will include brief investment thesis presentations from each fund, followed by a round of live startup pitches. This event will showcase the power of public-private capital and the art of founder-investor engagement. The second half of the session will feature an interactive discussion, where investors will provide real-time feedback and highlight the critical skills and considerations that shape their decisions.
This year's event includes a full day of interactive workshops, insightful discussions, and dynamic pitches from emerging companies. The session featuring 100KM Ventures, AIN Ventures, and Collide Capital is just one of the many highlights of the 2025 Entrepreneur Expo.
For more information about the event, tickets, and schedule, please visit www.tedcomd.com. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired by Maryland's vibrant entrepreneurial community.
Cross-pollinating business, finance, and technology, the upcoming "Investing in Maryland's Future: SSBCI in Action" panel during the 2025 Entrepreneur Expo will shed light on innovative investment strategies from funds like AIN Ventures, 100KM Ventures, and Collide Capital. These funds, all recipients of SSBCI funding, will leverage their capital in pursuit of inclusive growth for Maryland's underrepresented innovators, emphasizing the significance of technology in driving the state's economic expansion.
