March 27, 2026

Local Industry Leaders and Investors Showcase Montgomery County’s Startup Ecosystem at MCEDC-Hosted Event

Montgomery County, Maryland is home to an innovative and supportive start-up ecosystem that spans across industries. Here, companies are able to find a collaborative environment where they can scale their businesses by accessing the many resources Montgomery County has to offer.

This month, MCEDC held a panel during which Montgomery County leaders and investors discussed how companies across industries are approaching growth, managing risk, and positioning themselves for future investment. During the discussion, six industry leaders delved into Montgomery County’s start-up ecosystem, including how companies across industries are approaching growth, managing risk, and positioning themselves for future investment. The panel, moderated by Opus8 CEO Tien Wong included M&T Bank EVP of Commercial Banking Lowell Yoder, Omega 3 Nutrition Founder and CEO Bright Djampa, Caleo Biotechnologies Co-Founder and CEO Sam Kamali, Liatris President & CEO Frank Yang, and Ecphora Capital Managing Partner Deborah Hemington, PhD, also covered the newest trends that are shaping life sciences and tech investment, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region, and how businesses can strengthen their financial profiles before seeking capital from lenders.

In addition to sharing how they have approached fundraising and investor relationships as their businesses have grown, the founders and CEOs of the three businesses on the panel touched on the Montgomery County resources that they have been able to benefit from. For example, both Omega 3 Nutrition and Liatris were recipients of the Montgomery County MOVE grant which supports businesses signing their first commercial lease or expanding their existing lease by at least 500 square feet in office space. Caleo Biotechnologies, a company that started in one of the County’s four Business Innovation Centers, has been able to benefit from various partnerships and grants, continuing to grow while remaining part of the County’s owned and operated incubator, located in Germantown.

Montgomery County’s investment in the entrepreneurial ecosystem is evident through the many programs and incentives and County-funded organizations that are available to help small businesses. With over 95% of businesses in the county employing 50 or fewer individuals, small businesses are the backbone of our local economy.