Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund

The Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund invests in early-stage technology companies developing environmental solutions for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It targets enterprises reducing nutrient and sediment pollution, mitigating climate change, and employing natural processes to enhance regional air and water quality. The fund provides capital, via preferred equity, to commercialize vital ecological innovations.

Established in 2008, the fund is a joint initiative of the University of Maryland's Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This collaboration stemmed from the critical need for advanced technological approaches to address Bay degradation, translating research into practical market solutions.

The fund supports Maryland-based startups demonstrating quantifiable positive impact on the Bay's ecosystem, requiring local employee presence. Its vision fosters a green economy where portfolio companies achieve financial success and contribute significantly to environmental restoration. It aims for sustainable job growth and regional ecological health.