UTDF provides resources to Maryland universities to support pre-commercial research on university intellectual property to increase the likelihood of commercializing that intellectual property. The program helps universities to license early stage technologies more effectively and serves as a source of technology development projects for Maryland companies that are eligible for additional Maryland TEDCO and other state financing programs.  

UTDF provides up to $50,000 for proof-of-principle studies or patent extension research on Maryland university-owned technologies to demonstrate their ability to meet identified market needs.
 
Administered by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)

The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), an independent entity, was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO's role is to be Maryland's leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for technology transfer and development programs. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance. For the third consecutive year, TEDCO was recognized as the most active early/seed stage investor in the nation in the July 2006 issue of Entrepreneur magazine.The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), an independent entity, was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO's role is to be Maryland's leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for technology transfer and development programs. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance. For the third consecutive year, TEDCO was recognized as the most active early/seed stage investor in the nation in the July 2006 issue of Entrepreneur magazine.

Some of TEDCO's recent programmatic initiatives include:

Technology Transfer

• Maryland Technology Transfer Fund
• Aberdeen Technology Transfer Initiative
• Fort Detrick Technology Transfer Initiative
• NASA Mid-Atlantic Technology Transfer Center
• NAVAIR Technology Commercialization Initiative

Rural & Entrepreneurial Business Assistance

• Maryland Technology Partnership for Innovation
• Mountain Maryland SBIR
• Rural Business Incubation RBI Initiative.

Business Incubation

• Feasibility Study Grant Program
• Incubator Development Fund Program.