The University System of Maryland Momentum Fund

Minnowtech, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in aquaculture technology. The company offers a software imaging platform that enables shrimp farmers worldwide to estimate shrimp abundance non-invasively with precision. By utilizing artificial intelligence and image analysis, Minnowtech's solution optimizes feeding regimes, harvest times, and overall farm management, enhancing market-size shrimp production while minimizing risks to juvenile shrimp. This innovative approach addresses a critical challenge in the aquaculture industry, improving farmers' livelihoods and contributing to global food security and marine environment sustainability.

N5 Sensors, Inc. is a technology company based in Rockville, Maryland, specializing in the development and commercialization of advanced sensors for multi-room and personal monitoring applications. Founded in 2012, the company focuses on creating chemical sensor technology capable of detecting harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, as well as other lesser-known environmental hazards. N5 Sensors employs fabrication processes typically used for silicon computer chips, resulting in small, accurate devices that can simultaneously detect multiple gases. These sensors are integrated into a cloud-connected ecosystem, enabling industrial workers, first responders, and military personnel to assess environmental dangers in real-time using their smartphones, thereby enhancing safety and awareness in potentially hazardous situations.

Marinalife, LLC, established in 2000 and based in Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in providing marina information and cruising concierge services for boaters. As a subsidiary of Snag A Slip, LLC, Marinalife offers a comprehensive suite of travel services, including boat slip reservations and detailed marina information. The Marinalife Cruising Club membership grants boaters access to valuable travel resources, such as trip itineraries and destination guides, aimed at enhancing their boating experiences. Additionally, the company publishes Marinalife magazine, a quarterly travel and lifestyle publication that features engaging articles about marinas, cruising stories, and helpful tips for boaters. Through these offerings, Marinalife aims to support and enrich the boating community.

GivHero develops a social wellness platform that engages employees in health activities by linking them to causes they care about. Employers can sponsor employee health goals, with achievements supporting chosen causes, thereby boosting employee productivity and reducing long-term insurance costs.

AquaLith Advanced Materials specializes in the development of innovative lithium-ion battery materials. The company has secured exclusive rights to a portfolio of patents from the University of Maryland, which focus on advancements made by researchers in the field of chemical and materials engineering. AquaLith's technology includes an ultra-high energy cathode, a novel silicon anode, and a non-flammable aqueous electrolyte, all designed to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. This technology addresses key challenges such as efficiency in low temperatures, faster charging times, and improved safety by reducing fire risks associated with short circuits. The company's materials aim to provide high energy density while being cost-effective and abundant, ultimately benefiting consumer electronics and other applications in need of reliable battery solutions.

miRecule is a biotechnology company developing targeted RNA therapies for cancer and muscular dystrophy. It uses its proprietary DREAmiR platform to analyze genomic data from thousands of patients, identifying genetic abnormalities and creating tailored RNA therapeutics to directly address these issues.

Qualytics is a technology company based in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 2020, that specializes in data quality surveillance. The company has developed a platform designed to monitor and protect against data pipeline corruption. Its core technology includes a data firewall that captures erroneous data at the source, preventing it from affecting downstream data platforms. This system integrates with data pipelines and flows, alongside a surveillance hub, to ensure comprehensive monitoring. Additionally, Qualytics leverages machine learning to automatically generate and refine data rules through supervised workflows, enabling organizations to detect and respond to anomalies in real time. The platform includes active measures such as message-level quarantining to address potential issues swiftly.

VisiSonics Corporation is a company specializing in the development and marketing of advanced 3D sound capture, analysis, and reproduction technologies. Founded in 2010 as a spinout from the University of Maryland, VisiSonics offers a range of innovative products, including the RealSpace panoramic audio camera system, digital array microphones, and spatial audio solutions for headphones. Their proprietary RealSpace technology integrates audio signal processing with computer vision to provide immersive sound experiences across various applications, including consumer electronics, gaming, teleconferencing, and industrial acoustic analytics. The company's solutions are utilized by a diverse clientele, including audio surveillance firms, research institutions, and automotive manufacturers, addressing complex acoustic challenges. VisiSonics is committed to delivering next-generation products that enhance user performance and experience in both consumer and professional markets.

NextStep Robotics Inc. develops a portable ankle rehabilitation device that treats foot drop by providing real‑time, graded assistance during gait training. The system combines advanced robotics with adaptive software that tailors assistance to each patient’s needs and, as more data accumulate, transitions to an AI‑driven platform that optimizes training protocols. Designed for use in outpatient clinics, the device can be operated by lower‑skilled staff, freeing therapists to focus on other modalities. It is classified as a Class 1 exercise device, allowing immediate market entry without FDA approval. The company generates revenue through direct sales or leasing of the hardware, subscription fees for the software, and service contracts, while enabling clinics to bill for gait training under existing CPT codes.

KaloCyte Inc., established in 2016 and based in Baltimore, Maryland, is a pre-clinical stage healthcare biotechnology company focused on developing innovative solutions for life-threatening blood loss scenarios. The company's flagship product, ErythroMer, is an artificial red blood cell substitute designed to be dried and bio-inspired, intended for use when stored red blood cells are unavailable or undesirable. This product aims to address critical gaps in trauma care services by providing a demonstrated proof of concept for treating hemorrhage situations effectively.

Pathotrak specializes in rapid food safety testing. Its patented technology reduces detection time of pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli from days to hours, meeting FDA and USDA regulations. This innovation helps minimize holding costs, enables swift recalls, and enhances overall food safety.

ARMR Systems develops wearable hemorrhage control systems that increase survivability of traumatic battlefield injuries when advanced medical support is unavailable. The company’s products combine an ergonomically fitted harness with a tourniquet‑style direct‑pressure device to rapidly compress damaged arteries in critical torso‑junctional areas, limiting blood loss. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, ARMR collaborates with military and medical institutions to refine its technology. Its multidisciplinary team applies diverse perspectives to evaluate and improve trauma‑care solutions, providing warfighters, combat medics, and other field personnel with reliable, life‑saving capabilities.

Minnowtech, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in aquaculture technology. The company offers a software imaging platform that enables shrimp farmers worldwide to estimate shrimp abundance non-invasively with precision. By utilizing artificial intelligence and image analysis, Minnowtech's solution optimizes feeding regimes, harvest times, and overall farm management, enhancing market-size shrimp production while minimizing risks to juvenile shrimp. This innovative approach addresses a critical challenge in the aquaculture industry, improving farmers' livelihoods and contributing to global food security and marine environment sustainability.

NeoProgen, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Baltimore, Maryland, that specializes in the development of cell therapies for heart attack patients. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on advancing neonatal cardiac progenitor cells, aiming to innovate treatment options within the biotechnology and cardiac therapy sectors. NeoProgen is dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals affected by heart conditions through its research and therapeutic advancements.

Gemstone Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Baltimore, Maryland, focused on developing innovative technologies for therapeutic applications in wound care and other chronic diseases. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a particular emphasis on vascularization and angiogenesis. Gemstone Biotherapeutics leverages licensed technology from Johns Hopkins University to create polymeric hydrogels and stem cell engineering methodologies aimed at improving advanced wound healing and tissue regeneration. The company's technologies are designed to provide rapid and cost-effective wound healing with improved clinical outcomes for patients.

Retrium, Inc. is a software company based in Silver Spring, Maryland, that specializes in developing solutions for agile retrospectives. Founded in 2016, Retrium provides a platform that enhances team collaboration during retrospectives by offering a range of prebuilt facilitation techniques, such as 4Ls, Mad Sad Glad, Start Stop Continue, and Lean Coffee. The platform is designed to operate alongside video or audio conferencing tools, facilitating distributed scrum retrospectives and enabling organizations to create actionable plans that promote continuous improvement. By allowing teams to inspect their workflows and adapt based on insights gained, Retrium aims to help organizations deliver value to their customers more effectively.

Zest Tea designs and produces caffeinated tea products aimed at boosting energy and mental clarity. Founded in 2014 and based in Baltimore, Maryland, the company emphasizes science-backed ingredients to deliver energizing beverages with low to no sugar and natural ingredients.

North American Wave Engine Corporation, founded in 2015 and headquartered in College Park, Maryland, specializes in the design and development of innovative wave engines for jet propulsion applications. The company focuses on leveraging recent scientific advancements to create technology that achieves exceptional Thrust-to-Weight and Thrust-Specific Fuel Consumption ratios, all while eliminating the need for moving parts. This approach positions North American Wave Engine at the forefront of propulsion technology, aiming to enhance efficiency and performance in the aerospace sector.

NextStep Robotics Inc. develops a portable ankle rehabilitation device that treats foot drop by providing real‑time, graded assistance during gait training. The system combines advanced robotics with adaptive software that tailors assistance to each patient’s needs and, as more data accumulate, transitions to an AI‑driven platform that optimizes training protocols. Designed for use in outpatient clinics, the device can be operated by lower‑skilled staff, freeing therapists to focus on other modalities. It is classified as a Class 1 exercise device, allowing immediate market entry without FDA approval. The company generates revenue through direct sales or leasing of the hardware, subscription fees for the software, and service contracts, while enabling clinics to bill for gait training under existing CPT codes.

MF Fire, established in 2014 and based in College Park, Maryland, is a fire technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of modern wood stoves. The company's flagship product, Catalyst, employs intelligent control systems to optimize combustion, improve user experience, and reduce emissions. Catalyst stoves are controlled via smartphone or remote, offering convenience and efficiency while eliminating undesirable aspects of traditional wood stoves.