TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced today its partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce (Maryland Commerce) to expand and enhance the Maryland Defense Technology Commercialization (DefTech) Center. DefTech supports the growth of businesses by helping them leverage the technology, facilities and expertise in the Maryland Department of Defense (DoD) labs.
Piloted in 2018 with the Department of Defense—and in partnership with the Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development and U.S. Army labs at Aberdeen Proving Ground—DefTech focused on creating opportunities for businesses to partner with labs. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration provided three additional years of funding to expand the program. Building on the existing framework and incorporating a sustainable business model, the new partnership between TEDCO and Commerce, funded by The DoD’s office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, will expand the program to DoD labs across the state and provide to support for businesses in rural communities.