CEO Collective: Capital Markets for Maryland Companies

Raising equity capital has been described as one of the biggest challenges for early and mid stage companies in the Mid-Atlantic. There are only a handful of venture investors in the region, and significant effort has gone into attracting more investors. A Venture Capital (VC) investor or Private Equity (PE) firm may have contact with 5,000 companies, meet with 500, and only invest in 5-10 each year. Raising equity capital is challenging and highly competitive. It can be grueling and time consuming for company management teams.

In contrast, there are many Maryland companies that have successfully raised capital outside of the region. What is unique about the leadership teams that raise capital successfully every year? Can we learn from each other to improve the overall availability of capital in the Mid-Atlantic?

CEO peer groups create a safe and secure environment for CEOs to share challenges and receive advice and feedback from others that have “been there and done that”. It is the best means to take advantage of the collective experiences of peers and experts. Participation in a CEO peer group provides an opportunity to step out and work on the business rather than in it.

The Maryland Technology Council connects entrepreneurial minds to solve some of the most challenging business issues. We are preparing to bring together CEOs to support each other and help address business challenges in the Mid-Atlantic. This collective will focus on capital markets for Maryland companies. CEOs will share their experiences raising capital, preparing for capital markets, and what it means to sell fractions of a business to raise capital for development, commercialization and growth. The network value of a CEO collective is incredible. Shared contacts and expertise to solve some of the most challenging issues can provide a competitive advantage.

Watch for more information in Vibe and other Maryland Technology Council communications.

Welcome Maryland Tech Council’s New Members

• Blueblood, LLC – is a supplier of high-quality, humanely and sustainably sourced horseshoe crab blood for FDA-mandated safety testing of biomedical products.

• The CELLANDTECH GROUP is a strategic planning and commercialization consultancy firm. Their consultants provide an array of solutions to help clients address market needs and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. They work with development-stage life science companies, venture capitalists and contract research organizations (CROs) from around the world. Read more

• confinis is a global consulting firm in the field of medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and combination products, based in the United States and Switzerland. Their services include regulatory strategy, premarket submission management, device manufacturer quality system gap analysis and training.

• Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States provides integrated care to nearly 800,000 members in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Members receive comprehensive care from 1,500 primary and specialty care physicians, extended care teams, and 33 medical centers; and have the option to receive out-of-network benefits. Kaiser Permanente is committed to the highest quality, access, and innovation; and the wellness of individuals, families, and their communities. 

• Kemp Proteins offers a complete gene-to-protein process using a proprietary formulation of PEI that allows them to offer exceptional expression results at a reasonable cost. In addition, they offer “a la carte” mammalian protein expression services, including test expression, production, purification, and characterization of recombinant mammalian clones as well as process development and scale-up for protein expression. Read more

• MIMETAS B.V. is a privately-owned biotech company, based in Leiden (NL). MIMETAS was incorporated in 2013 and has currently three offices, with its headquarters located in Leiden. In Leiden, we perform most of the biological model development work, as well as the development of novel hardware and assays. Our manufacturing site is located in Enschede, in the eastern part of The Netherlands. Here we produce OrganoPlates® under strictly controlled cleanroom conditions. In Gaithersburg (MD) in the USA, and In Tokyo, Japan, we have subsidiaries involved in selected R&D, customer support and business development.

• Platelet and Thrombosis Research was initiated 20 years ago by Dr. Paul A Gurbel. Their research is mainly funded by top cardiovascular pharmaceutical companies such as Astra Zeneca, Elli Lilly, Bayer, Merck, and Amgen. Their research has focused on defining the effects of antiplatelet agents, antiplatelet agent development, and understanding the relation of platelet reactivity to ischemic event occurrence in patients undergoing stenting. For more information, contact Udaya Tantry at 410-707-2655

Click here to view MTC’s Member Map.

Member Info Hub Tip of the Month

Q:  Where did you previously work?
A:  Digital Bard Video, Frederick MD as the Sales and Marketing Assistant

Q:  What did you like most about your job?
A:  Being part of a team and working with my co-workers

Q:  What are your strongest professional strengths?
A:  Communication and organization

Q:  If you were a tree, what kind would you be and why?
A:  Maple Tree. They are welcoming and come to life during Fall…my favorite time of year

Q:  What is your spirit animal?
A:  Quick to answer. A raccoon. Because they are small, cute and mischievous. (as quoted by Katie’s Mom.)

Q:  What is your favorite color?
A:  Seafoam Green

Q:  What is your favorite food?
A:  Chocolate Chip Cookies

Q:  How would your last boss describe you?
A:  Quiet, at first. Always listening, observing and collecting information to analyze next steps

Q:  What makes you unique?
A:  I am a certified Bee Keeper and recently completed the Frederick County Bee Keeper’s Association Short Course.
Subscribing to Bee Journals and staying up to date on all things Bees until I have room and land to start my own colonies.

Q:  What was the last book you read?
A:  Bird Box

Q:  What excited you most about this new job?
A:  Getting the opportunity to meet new people and learn about what they are doing. Member site visits!

Contact me at katie@mdtechcouncil.com or (240) 297-4080.

The 439th Session of the Maryland General Assembly commenced at noon on January 9th.  Following the November election, there are an unprecedented number of new legislators (approximately 40%). The first two weeks have focused on organizational meetings and orientation for the new legislators. We expect it to be a very active session, and the work is just beginning.

The Maryland Tech Council (MTC) is a collaborative community, actively engaged in building stronger life science and technology companies by supporting the efforts of our individual members who are protecting our national security and improving the quality of life through innovation. MTC has emerged as the region’s voice of over 460 innovative member companies to promote policy that creates a favorable business climate for industry companies to thrive and grow. MTC believes there is tremendous opportunity to foster an innovative environment for cutting edge life science and technology companies.

Our 2019 Policy Platform reflects the top priorities for spurring innovation and achieving our vision to position Maryland as a top-three innovation economy for the life science and technology communities.  To that end, our legislative committee and coalition meets regularly to evaluate emerging policy issues, to update our priority agenda items and to develop an advocacy strategy promoting a positive business climate.

We support policies that are patient-centered, holistic and promote patient access to cures. This approach is also a proven job creator, helping to employ more than 34,000 Marylanders in good, high-paying jobs in the biotechnology field, with billions invested in the state annually. We will be paying close attention this legislative session and will oppose legislative proposals that could harm patient access to needed care by undermining competition, disrupting existing drug product availability or reducing investment in the innovation ecosystem in Maryland.

We will focus on targeted incentives that grow innovative companies, whether they are in early, middle or later stages of development. This also includes a focus on Maryland’s transportation infrastructure to alleviate traffic and improve aging highways, roads and bridges. It is important to cultivate a dynamic higher education system with a focus on STEM disciplines that trains a pipeline of workers needed to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow. A fair and predictable tax climate is critical to keep Maryland competitive and allow businesses every opportunity to succeed and create jobs.

We will influence and support legislation to keep Maryland a national leader in entrepreneurship and innovation. Together with our members and policymakers, we can find solutions to Maryland’s problems and help create an environment where innovative companies can grow and succeed.