Concept Capital - Application

TEDCO Concept Capital Application

Concept Capital is an early-stage funding initiative designed to help socially and economically disadvantaged founders and rural entrepreneurs in Maryland accelerate their startups. By providing grants, convertible notes, and specialized support, we aim to prepare your venture for investment and long-term success. Eligibility Requirements: Your business must be based in Maryland, with its principal office and at least 51% of its workforce in the state. It should be technology-driven, focusing on innovative applications of technology rather than retail.It must be less than seven years old. The founder should identify as a minority, female, disabled, or socially and economically disadvantaged (SEDI), or the business should be located in a rural or disadvantaged area. Next Steps: All applicants will be notified of their status after review. If you are not selected, you are welcome to apply again when our next cycle opens. Selected applicants are then provided access to our FounderTrac x TEDCO platform to receive tailored mentorship and education. The application window is now rolling as of July 1st, 2026. NOTE: We are in an era of beautiful redundancy. If/when you are using AI tools - ensure your traction/momentum is emphasized and you are not submitting the first output provided.
- Company Name
  If your company doesn't exist yet, you can make up a name. You can always change it later.
- Company TEDCO ID
  If your company is not currently registered with a TEDCO ID, please register here: https://tedco.tfaforms.net/57 If you have registered and don't know your TEDCO ID, email jferguson@tedcomd.com.
- Primary Location
  This is where your company is headquartered. If your company is not in Maryland, then you are not eligible for the Concept Capital program. If you have not formed your company yet, select the location you intend to headquarter (you can update this information later if you change locations).
- CEO/Founder
  
  First NameLast Name
- Email
  example@example.com
- Phone Number
  The best number to reach you directly.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Are at least 51% of your founders/employees in MD?
- Does your product have an proprietary technology you want to scale?
- Briefly describe your startup concept.
  
  In 2-3 sentences.0/200
- How long have you been working on your startup?
- Answer the following questions in a way that best describes your company. Be honest and thoughtful in your responses. The use of the next few questions is solely for the purpose of helping us understand your company's stage of maturity.
- Please select the best description of your team.
- Select the best description of your team's technical ability related to designing, building, and testing your product.
- Select the best description of your team's prior experience and connections in your company's industry sector including knowledge of sales cycles, channel strategies, and pricing models.
- Select the best description of your team's understanding of your customers' problem.
- Select the best description of the stage of development of your product.
- Select the best description of your understanding of your market.
- Select the best description of your business model.
- Your business opportunity represents a total addressable market (number of potential customers x the price of your product) of more than $500 million and your company is projected to grow to at least $10 million in revenues in five years.
- Select the best description of your fundraising efforts.
- Team Background
  Tell us about your team's background and experience as it relates to your startup. Why is your team the best people to work on this? In 2-3 sentences, highlight your expertise, relevant experience, or skills that will help you execute your idea. Your team can include yourself, co-founders, staff / contractors, advisors, board members, and investors, if any.
- What inspired you to work on this startup?
  Feel free to tell a story or something else. Help us understand what made you want to start this startup.
- How much time do you currently spend on your startup per week?
- Have you received investment in this startup?
- If yes, please provide more details.
  How much investment / funding have you received?
- In the Concept Capital Program, our goal is to not only provide capital but infrastructural support through mentorship, resource identification and connection, along with education. Do you agree to receive this support?
- What type of support are you seeking from the Concept Capital program?
  
  Other
- What is your immediate goal in the next 6-12 months?
  Major milestones you'd like your startup to achieve, such as: prototype built, prototype tested/validated, customer discovery, problem-solution validation, business model refined, MVP developed, pitch refinement, etc.
- Have you shared your idea with potential customers, advisors, or experts?
- If yes, please briefly describe their feedback, if any.
  
  0/150
- Do you currently have any co-founders, partners, or a team working on this idea?
  This can include advisors, board members, consultants, contractors, etc.
- How did you hear about TEDCO's Concept Capital program?
  
  Other
- Would you like to receive updates via TEDCO's newsletter?
- Upload Executive Summary (Reference 1 page template below)
  
  Please limit to 1 page. PDF preferred.
  Cancelof
- Pitch Deck Resources Here:
  
  AI Prompt Assistance Reference:
  
  Act as an expert startup pitch coach and venture capitalist. Generate a 10-slide investor pitch deck for my company based on [Guy Kawasaki's 10/20/30 Rule](index:0.6.11): maximum 10 slides, designed to be pitched in 20 minutes, with extremely concise text that fits a minimum 30-point font size constraint (under 30 words per slide).
  
  Company Overview:
  - Company Name: [Insert Name / One-line Tagline]
  - Product/Service: [Describe what you do in 1 sentence]
  - Target Audience / ICP: [Who is the buyer/user]
  - Stage: [Pre-seed / Seed / Series A]
  - Traction/Metrics (if any): [Insert numbers or write "Not provided"]
  
  Strict Slide Structure (Exactly 10 Slides):
  1. Title: Company name, logo, presenter name, title, contact info, and crisp one-liner.
  2. Problem: The burning pain or status quo your customer faces.
  3. Solution: Your product/service and how it alleviates the pain.
  4. Business Model: How you make money (pricing, revenue streams).
  5. Underlying Magic: The secret sauce, proprietary tech, or unique methodology behind your product.
  6. Marketing and Sales: How you get customers to know and buy your product.
  7. Competition: A realistic, honest overview of the competitive landscape and your edge.
  8. Team: Key founders, team members, and why you are uniquely qualified.
  9. Projections and Milestones: 3-year forecast, key financial assumptions, and next milestones.
  10. Status and Timeline: What you have accomplished so far, timeline, and the exact "Ask" (funding amount and use of funds).
  
  Formatting Rules for the AI Output:
  - Keep bullet points punchy; absolute maximum of 25-30 words per slide.
  - Do not invent fake data or metrics; label missing numbers explicitly as [Not Provided].
  - Recommend clean, high-contrast visual or chart ideas for slides that need data.
  
  Other Resources below:
- Upload Pitch Deck
  
  Powerpoint or PDF preferred.
  Cancelof
- Anything else you'd like us to know about you or your startup?
  
  Feel free to mention anything you think we should know and have not already asked.0/250
- Should be Empty: