Resources for
Startups & Businesses

The Department of Economic Development monitors economic trends and works to execute business programs that complement Calvert County. The department’s goal is to attract and retain strong, healthy and dynamic companies of all sizes and industries.

The Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund invests in companies with innovative solutions that can help improve air and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

I-Corps is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program designed to foster, grow and nurture innovation ecosystems regionally and nationally. The program provides real world, hands-on training on how to successfully incorporate innovations into successful products to solve societal problems.

A coalition of over 15 college & university entrepreneurship leaders, Innov8MD is here to help any student in Maryland launch and grow their startup, small business, or nonprofit.

The Maryland Business Innovation Association (MBIA) was founded in 2002 to advance business incubation in Maryland.  Representing 25 incubators, MBIA supports approximately 550 companies across the state in both urban and rural areas.  Since its inception, our incubators have generated 12,000 jobs, making it equivalent to one of the state’s largest employers.

As the state's primary economic development agency, we stimulate private investment and create jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies.

From funding to talent sources and everything in between, explore over 2,000 resources to build your business in Maryland.

The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program provides funding, with a sliding-scale match from participating companies, for research projects at Maryland's public universities that help those companies develop new products.

The Maryland International Incubator (MI2) is aimed at connecting the state of Maryland with the international business community. MI2’s mission is to serve the technology and innovation needs of international companies entering the U.S. market through a suite of valuable resources. It is the University of Maryland’s only international incubator.

MD MEP is a non-profit organization funded by industry and the State of Maryland focused on growing and strengthening Maryland manufacturers. Serving small and mid-size manufacturers across all industries, MD MEP provides an array of programs and services to help local companies operate more efficiently, grow profitability, implement new technologies and create more jobs and opportunities in Maryland.

PTACs help innovative firms sell their products to government agencies, assist with commercialization plans for those interested in selling to the government, understand how to register in SAM, and much more.

The Maryland Tech Council is a collaborative community that is actively engaged in building strong technology and life science industries by supporting the efforts of our individual members. We are the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state of Maryland and we provide value by giving members a forum to learn, share, and connect.

Mtech's programs arm top students with the knowledge of how to successfully launch companies. They guide aspiring and existing entrepreneurs through the entire lifecycle of launching and maintaining technology-based ventures, and they support technology product development partnerships in both fledgling and mature ventures.

The SBDC provides assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to start, grow or better manage their companies through no cost consulting, low cost training, market research, and support.

The SBIR and STTR Programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

St Mary’s County will continue to protect and grow the Navy’s mission at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River while leveraging industry cluster and innovation driven strategies in our approach to economic development. The staff of Economic Development is available to answer questions, assist with site selection, identify resources and find solutions to growing or locating a business in St Mary's County.

Startup Maryland is a peer-driven, high-growth, and tech venture focused initiative leveraging ecosystem building for entrepreneur and economic development. Striving to connect innovation communities, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, investors, and great ventures through its 4C mission elements: Celebration | Coaching | Curation | Capital.

TechPort targets startup and early stage companies that specialize in unmanned and autonomous systems and commercialization of Navy technology.

TEDCO provides Maryland entrepreneurs with funding, resources and connections that early-stage technology and life sciences companies need to thrive in Maryland.