$7.5M Awarded to Fifty-Five Montgomery County Companies to Support Their Business Growth
Montgomery County, MD– Today, the Montgomery County Government and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) announced the names of fifty-five early-stage companies which are being awarded grants to support their technology commercialization activities through the County’s Technology Innovation and Founders Funds program. The program, which was launched last year and executed through a partnership among the Office of the County Executive, MCEDC, and the County’s Department of Finance, is designed to support business growth of companies developing proprietary technology and other technology entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
“These awards reflect the kind of economy we are building in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want small companies with strong ideas to have a real shot at growing here, and that means investing early, supporting commercialization, and removing barriers that too often hold people back. I appreciate the partnership with the County Council, MCEDC and our Department of Finance in launching this program. Fifty-five companies, from biotech to advanced manufacturing, AI, and clean energy, now have a boost that can help them move from concept to market. That is good for our entrepreneurs, good for our workforce, and good for the long-term strength of our local economy.”
The selected companies, which are located throughout the County and represent a variety of industry sectors, were selected from a pool of 148 applications through a competitive process, involving industry representatives including members of the MCEDC Board of Directors, and FedTech, a third-party technology commercialization company. Companies have received an initial disbursement of funds and will receive a second once their commercialization milestones have been completed.
“I am thrilled Montgomery County is stepping up to provide small companies with the critical resources they need to commercialize their ideas and expand their businesses,” said Montgomery Council President Natali Fani-González, who also chairs the Council’s Economic Development Committee. ”The immense potential of our local small businesses continues to help Montgomery County grow our economy and enhance the outstanding quality of life that our community is known for. These awards are a major investment in the County’s entrepreneurs and our future.”
Biotech and life sciences firms are being awarded a combined $2,182,500 through the Montgomery County Technology Innovation Fund, while $1,148,000 is being granted to companies working in other sectors–including advanced manufacturing, AI, space communications, energy and the environment. The majority of awardees receiving a total of $400,000 from the County’s Founders Fund are working in the Technology industry.
Small businesses employing fewer than 50 individuals make up 95% of the County’s ecosystem and are the backbone of our local economy.
“MCEDC is proud to support entrepreneurs in our County and to help ensure they have access to the resources they need to grow and expand. These programs demonstrate the County’s commitment to nurturing our ecosystem and building a strong, diverse and inclusive economy,” said Jared Smith, MCEDC President and CEO.
The innovative projects being supported range from off-the-shelf CAR T Cells that target solid tumors to nanophotonic imaging platform for in vivo imaging, advanced microelectronics for spacecraft instrumentation, high-energy-density capacitors for defense and space, and sustainable bio-fungicides from natural products to combat fungal diseases.
List of Montgomery County Technology Innovation & Founders Fund Awardees
Montgomery County Technology Innovation Fund:
- AkriVita (Rockville) – Life Sciences. AkriVita develops 3D-printed microcapillary needles that deliver precision and reliability in microinjection to accelerate discoveries, prevent and treat disease, and help create life.
- Active Genomes Expressed Diagnostics (Rockville) – Life Sciences. AGED is developing the first accurate blood test to diagnose MASH and stage liver fibrosis using a targeted sequencing assessment.
- AllSci (North Bethesda) – Life Sciences. AllSci is a scientific knowledge platform that removes barriers to communication and builds trust through transparent, open-access publishing, rigorous peer review, and AI-enhanced workflows.
- AMPSEQ LLC (Gaithersburg) – Life Sciences. AmpSeq delivers comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions—ranging from experimental design to bioinformatics analysis—with rapid turnaround and expert support to drive research forward and accelerate discovery.
- Barrow Green (Bethesda) – Technology. BarrowGreen is pioneering a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient cooling and heating technology that eliminates hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Caleo Biotechnologies (Germantown) – Life Sciences.Caleo Biotechnologies is developing next-generation, patient-derived preclinical models that bridge the gap between preclinical translation and real clinical outcomes in fibrosis and inflammation.
- Cellepus Therapetics (Rockville) – Life Sciences.Cel•lepus is developing off-the-shelf CAR T Cells by engineering cord blood–derived γδ T cells with a first-in-class NKG2D-based signaling architecture, and targeting them to solid tumors with a toolbox of novel tumor-specific antigens isolated from patients.
- Digital Biosciences (Germantown) – Life Sciences. Digital Biosciences is developing a novel, low cost, non-invasive, point-of-care technology (“SepsisDx”) for measuring sepsis biomarkers in urine samples.
- EasyScaleCloud (Rockville) – Technology.EasyScaleCloud is an AI, data, and cloud solutions company building a diversified portfolio of specialized AI products.
- Error Corporation (Bethesda) – Technology. Error Corp. is a quantum software company commercializing proprietary technologies that solve the fundamental challenge of quantum computing: managing noise and errors that degrade quantum computations.
- Escalate (Silver Spring) – Technology. Escalate is developing tools and support services for frontline workers aimed at reducing turnover and improving employee outcomes.
- Experio Labs, Inc. (Bethesda) – Technology. Experio Labs is an AI platform for consulting and professional services that captures, curates, and activates firm-wide institutional knowledge and contract intelligence.
- Ezval Inc. (Rockville) – Technology. EzVal Inc. is developing a paperless validation platform with strengthened cloud infrastructure to deliver greater value to biotech and life-science organizations.
- Floraponics LLC (Poolesville) – Life Sciences. Floraponics is a sustainable floriculture company using aquaponics technology to grow cut flowers in controlled environments with reduced environmental impact.
- GaiaXus (Germantown) – Technology.GaiaXus is a technology company specializing in affordable, high-accuracy environmental monitoring solutions for education, research, and citizen science.
- Gutz Analytics LLC (Rockville) – Life Sciences. Gutz Analytics is a multi-omics AI company integrating microbiome, metabolome, and other molecular datasets to build predictive models that support clinical trials and companion diagnostics.
- HBVtech (Bethesda) – Technology. HBVtech is a biopharma startup developing a proprietary gene-therapy platform aimed at achieving a single-injection, lasting cure for chronic hepatitis B and other chronic infections.
- Healable (Rockville) – Life Sciences.Healable empowers healthcare providers with secure, AI-driven tools that enhance peer consultations and improve patient outcomes.
- Insilica.Co (Bethesda) – Life Sciences. Insilica is a company specializing in the development of advanced informatics tools to accelerate research in toxicology and chemical safety.
- Khanjur R&D (Silver Spring) – Technology. Khanjur R&D is an innovative manufacturer of microactuators made from smart materials called shape memory alloys that can be used in consumer electronics, soft-robotics, microfluidics, and next-generation wearable and stretchable electronics.
- La Brea Technologies (Bethesda) – Technology. La Brea Technologies is developing hardware to help critical infrastructure operators increase the resilience of their industrial control systems through a universal device that can securely monitor any network.
- LEGIT (LensGuide Imaging Technology) (Rockville) – Life Sciences. LEGIT is developing a nanophotonic imaging platform for in vivo imaging with minimal damage.
- Liatris (Rockville) – Life Sciences. Liatris is an advanced materials company developing high-performance and resilient thermal insulation products for energy efficiency, including state-of-the art pilot manufacturing capabilities in Rockville.
- LoBio, Inc (Rockville) – Life Sciences. LoBio is a medtech company commercializing a patented at-home plasma collection device (LoBio P1) that enables clinical-grade plasma collection and safer, more reliable decentralized blood testing.
- Lumo Imaging (Rockville) – Life Sciences. Lumo Imaging is developing an AI driven total body cancer screening system with the potential to change the future of dermatology, especially for the 2/3 of counties in United States without adequate access to dermatological services.
- Magic Shell Software (Rockville) – Technology. Magic Shell Software builds military-grade security for embedded systems, providing anti-tamper and intellectual property protection for aerospace, IoT, and government customers.
- Main Engineering (Silver Spring) – Technology. Main Engineering is a company specializing in highly advanced microelectronics for spacecraft instrumentation.
- MeTime Healing & Wellness (Gaithersburg) – Life Sciences. MeTime Healing & Wellness is a digital health platform expanding equitable access to mental and emotional well-being through culturally responsive technology and human-centered care.
- Mycologics (North Potomac) – Life Sciences. Mycologics is developing sustainable biofungicides from natural products to combat fungal diseases across a wide range of crops.
- Neuroene Therapeutics (Kensington) – Life Sciences. Neuroene is advancing first-in-class, brain-penetrating therapies that protect mitochondrial health and offer new possibilities for patients affected by epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and toxin-related neurological injury.
- Nostopharma (Potomac) – Life Sciences. Nostopharma is developing a small-molecule combination therapy for pharmacological treatment of pathologic bone growth, including rare disease – POH.
- Optimabiome LLC (Germantown) – Life Sciences. Optimabiome is focused on developing decarbonization solutions that address emissions from energy and transportation.
- Outcomes Excellence (Silver Spring) – Life Sciences. Outcomes Excellence’s patent pending app helps individuals assess their health, create personalized plans, track progress, connect with clinical professionals, and join supportive communities—tackling over $7.5B in annual losses in the mental health industry.
- Pediametrix Inc. (Rockville) – Life Sciences. Pediametrix is a medical device startup behind SoftSpot®, the only FDA-cleared mobile app that helps pediatric clinicians and parents measure and monitor infant head shape and growth.
- PerSoN Clinic (Rockville) – Life Sciences. PerSoN Clinic is an AI-powered health-tech platform that delivers real-time emotional-state insights and practice tools for providers, while enabling CROs and researchers to bridge care and clinical evidence in a single integrated system.
- Pirl Technology (Rockville) – Life Sciences. Pirl Technology is dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to profitably provide electric vehicle (EV) charging as a service to their customers.
- Prophiotrics LLC (Rockville) – Life Sciences. Prophiotrics is developing a pioneering bacteriophage-based acne treatment that selectively eliminates Cutibacterium acnes while preserving and supporting the skin’s natural microbiome.
- Ryan’s Place (Gaithersburg) – Life Sciences. Ryan’s Place is a specialized primary care practice that delivers compassionate, patient-centered healthcare for individuals with disabilities.
- Shastrah.AI (Bethesda) – Life Sciences. Shastrah is a medical technology company advancing early cancer detection through non-invasive, AI-enabled breath diagnostics that integrate seamlessly into routine clinical care.
- SolutionsMET (Bethesda) – Technology. SolutionsMET is a technology company providing IT professional services, product development, enterprise application development, DevOps, cloud architecture, and financial operations to all levels of government across the Greater Washington Metropolitan region.”
- Sotirion Biosciences (Germantown) – Life Sciences. Sotirion Biosciences is an early-stage immuno-oncology/diagnostics company leveraging immune-receptor rearrangements and multiplex assays to identify leukemia and lymphoma cells and support personalized treatment.
- SpinQi LLC (Rockville) – Technology. SpinQi is building high-voltage high-energy-density capacitors and power delivery systems that are needed for defense and space, energy infrastructure, and medical devices.
- U Startups (Bethesda) – Technology. U Startups provides AI-powered transition planning and innovative career-ready programs to empower students of all abilities to reach their full potential.
- VascRisk LLC (Rockville) – Life Sciences. VascRisk combines smart technology with personalized care to provide early detection, precise prediction, and effective reversal strategies for vascular health.
- Vortex Space Systems (Germantown) – Technology. Vortex Space Systems is a small space propulsion startup developing novel spacecraft propulsion that does not use propellant.
- Whoosh HPC Lab (Kensington) – Technology. Whoosh HPC Lab is developing a disruptive computational fluid dynamics and multi-physics software package, leveraging the emergence of high-performance commodity computing hardware that has been driven by developments in artificial intelligence.
- Workflow HOA, LLC (North Bethesda) – Technology. Workflow HOA, LLC is developing Workflow Control, a software product with a focus on simplifying and optimizing energy management for property owners and managers, which leverages technology and expertise to deliver tailored solutions that streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance environmental responsibility.
Montgomery County Founders Fund:
- Atlatl Obsidian Point Solutions (Silver Spring) – Life Sciences. Atlatl Obsidian Point Solutions, operating as Peridom Insights, is a Maryland-based health equity firm building scalable, community-rooted infrastructure that integrates AI governance, compliance innovation, and culturally grounded workforce training to transform how care systems evolve, starting with behavioral health.
- Ant Technology (Rockville) – Technology. Ant Technology leverages AI to advance the real estate industry by streamlining processes, enhancing decision-making, and unlocking new opportunities for businesses and individuals in the property market.
- HARPCAN/CoTripper (Silver Spring) – Technology. CoTripper is a behavioral intelligence platform that uses first-party data to help single moms make daily decisions and deliver contextual insights to institutional and brand partners.
- OurCoach (Center for Advancing Leadership & Human Potential) (Potomac) – Technology. OurCoach® is an AI-driven organizational effectiveness platform designed to improve leadership, culture, and strategic alignment to drive measurable improvements in business outcomes.
- Good Idea Solar (Bethesda) – Technology. Good Idea Solar works with small family farms to convert a portion of their land to solar, keeping the farm in agriculture while providing clean, renewable energy to the local community at below-market rates.
- Wintreatments Holdings, LLC (Rockville) – Technology. Wintreatments Holding specializes in developing and commercializing smart window treatment solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency, privacy, and automation.
- QualityMetrics (Silver Spring) – Technology. QualityMetrics fosters organizational commitment to evidence-based decision making for organizations including libraries and other service organizations.
- SpringGem Weather Information (North Potomac) – Technology. SpringGem Weather Information is a Montgomery County startup focused on building innovations to provide digital weather service for the smart city and transportation sectors.
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