Maryland Launch Fund
Maryland Launch Fund
Portfolio and Performance
The University System of Maryland (USM) Launch Fund is committed to breaking down barriers to early capital and resource access. We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing transparency and adding value to all participants.
Below is more information on the program portfolio and performance:
Awardees
Read the press release with information about 2024 awardees here. The entire portfolio is described below.
Health and Environmental Solutions
Aquatic Circle LLC is an advanced water filtration system that provides clean water without the use of chemicals. Aquatic Circle LLC is located in Allegany County in a community affiliated with Frostburg State University, and is founded and led by Dr. Dung Minh Hoang.
NDN International LLCis a patented efficient and portable hand-washing station for both indoor and outdoor use. A hands-free faucet and soap dispenser make it easily accessible to children, adults, and consumers using wheelchairs. NDN International LLC is located in Montgomery County and was founded by Naa Nyanin, a UBalt alumnus.
Amron Home and Health LLC designs unique accessories for CPAP users, removing the stigma of using a CPAP machine and providing convenience for travel. Located in Hyattsville, Amron Home and Health is led by UMBC alumna Debora Fajer-Smith and two UMBC students, Scotty Collinson and Nikos Bourazanis.
Sustainabli is building an easy-to-retrofit IoT system to monitor and promote energy-efficiency and safety in labs and hospitals. Located in Baltimore City, Sustainabli is led by Kevin Tu, a University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) alumnus and medical student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
Ryan’s Place LLC is a comprehensive health care center for transitioning youth with disabilities and complex medical conditions. Ryan’s Place LLC is located in Montgomery County and is led by Debbie Sahlin, who graduated from the School of Nursing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Cheek Seat is developing a portable, collapsible, toilet seat cover that keeps your bathroom experience comfortable and clean. Cheek Seat is located in Prince George’s County and is led by Jazmyn Brown-Washington and William Kent, who are undergraduate students at Bowie State University.
NuMoon Technologies, LLC is commercializing intellectual property licensed from UMBC directed to a unique optical configuration enabling high-speed hazard detection from a distance. The technology has a distinct advantage in that it does not vaporize, burn, or ignite the item being tested. NuMoon Technologies, LLC is located in Howard County and is a Women Owned Small Business, with Gianna Arnold as CEO.
Repurpose Farm Plastic Inc. has developed an affordable farm plastic cleaning device for recyclers. Repurpose Farm Plastic Inc. is located in Queen Anne’s County and is led by Krisztina Christmon, a recent Ph.D. graduate from UMCP.
ReBokeh Vision Technologies is developing an app-based assistive technology system for people with moderate vision impairments that allows them to personalize how they see the world to their specific needs in any situation. ReBokeh Vision Technologies is led by Rebecca Rosenberg and is located in Baltimore County at Towson University’s StarTUp at the Armory.
Innovative Essentials
NAK Design Studiois a bridal fashion tech agency that enhances the online bridal shopping experience. Their flagship product, MatchAGown, is an AI-powered gown matchmaking tool. NAK Design Studio is located in Baltimore City and was founded by Nichole Harris, a graduate student at UMBC.
SmartlabX designs custom web solutions, helping small companies solve complicated business problems. SmartlabX is located in Washington, DC, and was started by Femi Adisa, a UMBC undergraduate.
Nina’s Cookie Explosion is a Black-woman-owned cookie shop that delivers classic and customizable cookies and doughs. Founded by Salisbury University alumna Nina Ross, the company is located in Baltimore City.
Xeddy gives college students discounts and rewards for ordering at local restaurants. Xeddy is located in Baltimore City and was founded by UMBC alumnus Basil Udo.
Good + Plenty Naturals is a Baltimore-based social enterprise on a mission to empower women to live cleaner and healthier lifestyles. Founded by UMBC alumna Nishan Gugsa, Good + Plenty offers safe and effective natural personal care products that work with your body, not against it.
The Athlete Academy, LLC is a community-centered, youth athlete and adult small-group and private training facility that specializes in injury prevention, rehabilitation, recovery, and performance improvements. The Athlete Academy, LLC is located in Wicomico and Worcester County and is led by CEO Cody Revel, and Regional Director Ryan Maitland, both of whom are alumni of Salisbury University.
The Blade brings the barbershop experience to customers with services and products via a mobile barbershop. The Blade is located in Prince George’s County and is led by Santana Pleasant, who is an undergraduate student at Bowie State University.
Seeing Green Studio is a houseplant boutique with a focus on intuitive care and intentional design, making plant care effortless with custom soil blends. Seeing Green Studio is located in Baltimore County and is led by Amanda Ly, who is an alum of UMBC.
The Sheller makes the first ever patented stainless steel, seafood multitool, crab mallet, picker, and bottle opener. The Sheller is located in Anne Arundel County and is led by Shelby Blondell, who is an alum of the University of Baltimore.
The TrillestDollhouse makes natural hair education available to HBCU students by providing natural haircare products and services. The TrillestDollhouse is located in Baltimore City and is led by Lauren Kelly, who is an undergraduate student at Bowie State University.
Arts, Media, and Entertainment
DISTRICT5 creates and produces various types of media content such as films, TV shows, web series, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and other digital content. DISTRICT5 is located in Montgomery County and is led by Sonny Tu, who is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP).
EBO is an innovative and all-inclusive on-demand booking technology that swiftly connects vetted subject matter experts and on-air contributors with media outlets. Based in Baltimore City, EBO is led by Crystal I. Berger, a proud UMES alumna.
Room 242 is an artist incubator that provides housing, label services, artist development workshops, events curated for the local scene, and a community for young musicians launching their careers. Room 242 is located in Prince George’s County and is led by Kang Ewimbi, who is an undergraduate student at UMCP.
Education and Empowerment
The Extraordinary Library Adventure®, a children’s media company, is pioneering K–12 edutainment products that inspire, empower, and nurture young minds. Their vision is “a world where every child feels extraordinary.™” Located in Prince George’s County, The Extraordinary Library Adventure was founded by UMD alumnus and former Bowie State University staff member Travis Kevin.
Fem Equity LLC is the leading SaaS dedicated to advancing professional women’s financial outcomes to six figures while improving pay, career fulfillment, and more. Fem Equity is located in Baltimore City and was founded by Adeola Ajani, a Towson University alumna.
Imagining Reality Insights & Solutions Inc. is an edtech company developing a VR reading intervention designed to achieve reading comprehension through various modalities that place the user at the center of their experience. The company is led by Anne-Laurence Nemorin, a UMD alumna, and was founded by UMD professors Donald J. Bolger, Drew Baden, and Juan Uriagereka. It’s located in Baltimore City.
Cursive Technology, Inc. is a radically better approach to assessing writing for class—by relying on ‘proof of effort,’ transparency in the writing process, and reflecting student and AI writing without bias or false positives. Cursive Technology Inc. is located in Baltimore City and was founded by UMD alumnus Joseph Thibault.
Baltimore Venom is a minor league, professional basketball team from Baltimore City. It’s a member of The Basketball League, which uses professional sports as a vehicle for social change. Baltimore Venom was founded by Charles Carrington and UMBC alumnus Jacob Dennis.
Fern Computing is developing a zero code, easy-to-use AI platform designed for education and development. Inspired by brain development, Fern Computing’s algorithms excel at accuracy, interpretability, and energy efficiency. Fern Computing is located in Baltimore City and is led by UMB alumnus Garrett Crutcher.
Brian Furr LLC provides workforce training for community members, project-based classes, and small batch manufacturing. Brian Furr LLC is located in Baltimore City and is led by Brian Furr, who is an alumnus of the University of Baltimore.
The Cube Cowork, the largest Black woman-owned coworking space in the United States, provides a space where parents no longer have to choose their businesses over their families. The Cube Cowork is located in Baltimore City and is led by Tammira Lucas, who is an alumna of and a faculty member at Coppin State University, in addition to being an adjunct faculty member at UMBC.
Ticker Markets provides unprecedented security, liquidity, and access to private sector investing. Ticker Markets is located in Baltimore City and is led by Max Harris and Max Kaufmann, who are undergraduate students at UMCP.
Microgrant Recipients
Students, staff, and faculty at Coppin State University (CSU), the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Bowie State University (BSU), Frostburg State University (FSU), Salisbury University (SU), Towson University (TU), and the University of Baltimore (UBalt) have also received funding via microgrants.
Values Spotlight on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Throughout the marketing, application period, and decision-making process, the Launch Fund is paying close attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion across a number of variables. The latest information on these variables for the total applicant and awardee pool can be found here.
Additionally, we are glad to share high-level information about the reviewer pool from the first round of venture grants, below:
- 1/3 employed by a USM institution, 2/3 external
- With an overall 76% reporting rate, reviewers identified in the following ways:
- Female (40%)
- Male (60%)
- A veteran (11%)
- Person with a disability (9%)
- Black or African American (34%)
- East Asian or Asian (17%)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (4%)
- Non-Hispanic white or European (26%)
- South Asian or Indian (8%)
- Of Hispanic or Latino or Spanish origin (4%)
- Across a wide range of functional and industry expertise
We are always looking to improve, so we welcome feedback via this form, via email, or phone — Lindsay Ryan at launch@usmd.edu and 410-409-2236.
Please direct any questions to Lindsay Ryan at launch@usmd.edu.
The University System of Maryland comprises 12 public universities, three regional higher education centers, and more than 200,000 people—students, faculty, and staff—dedicated to pursuing knowledge, advancing discovery, improving lives, and strengthening communities across the state and around the world.
