The Maryland Launch Fund is a program committed to support USM-affiliated (for-profit or non-profit) ventures.
This capital is flexible and early, in the form of grants (non-dilutive) and investments (dilutive) ranging from less than $2,000 microgrants to grants and investments of generally up to $50,000. This small, early capital is currently a key gap experienced by many individuals getting started and on their way with a venture. This critical foundational capital (including pre-venture funding, first money in, and pre-seed funding) bridges to next-step capital (including revenue/sustainability, bank financing, and seed funding).
Societal and structural barriers can make foundational capital even more elusive for some people and types of ventures that for structural and/or historical reasons have been left out of early funding. And across the USM, the scope of new enterprises and financial needs vary substantially, as do the resources available. The USM Maryland Launch Fund holds diversity, equity, and inclusion as key values, along with transparency, and the addition of value back to all participants, applicants, awardees, and institutional partners.
The USM believes that small amounts of capital, deployed effectively alongside other resources, can generate economic impact for the state of Maryland and further USM’s values and mission – to educate and serve the people of Maryland; advance equity, justice, and opportunity; and produce the research and scholarship that improve lives. That’s why it has dedicated up to $600,000 over three years to this pilot.
All recipients must have a substantial portion of its manufacturing, service, research and development, or office space located in Maryland.
There are several ways to qualify for USM affiliation:
- Ventures founded by USM students, faculty, other employees, or alumni or former students (just one is enough!)
- Ventures based on USM intellectual property-based ventures; or
- Ventures physically located in a USM research park, incubator, or RISE Zone.
To learn more about the USM Launch Fund:
- Watch this Video
- View this Slide Deck
Read the latest press release which includes a list of the inaugural awardees:
Use USM Launch Fund to…
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Identify/apply for funding & grants
The University System of Maryland (USM) Launch Fund connects early stage entrepreneurs — builders, creators, and innovators — to existing resources, mentorship, and capital. It creates a new capital source designed to fill gaps and connect to other capital and resources.