Maryland is eyeing these 20 startups for future success

Tuesday was National Entrepreneur’s Day, and Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland used the occasion to announce his list of 20 promising startups across the state.

The Maryland Future 20, released by the Maryland Department of Commerce, aims to highlight the companies primed for future business success. Going forward, they’ll be featured in blog posts and social media from the department.

“I want to congratulate the Maryland Future 20 and thank all of the companies that were nominated for what they are doing to advance technology, address health crises, and continue to make Maryland a great place to start and grow a company,” Hogan said in a statement. “It is now more important than ever that we support our innovators and entrepreneurs who have the solutions to help us in our ongoing battle with COVID-19.”

After Commerce Director of Entrepreneurship Allyson Redpath put out the call, organizers received 125 nominations. They made the selections based on “innovation, future growth potential, the company’s Maryland story, and ‘wow’ factor,” per the commerce department.

It’s also a look at the ABCs of Maryland: aerial vehicles, biotech and cybersecurity.

ACTIVEcharge

The bwtech@UMBC startup develops hardware and software for wind turbines that monitors blades. We’ve seen the team join accelerators like the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator and F3Tech.

Aidar Health

The Baltimore-based healthcare technology company makes MouthLab, a product that provides a rapid overall health assessment.

Airgility

The College Park-based developer of unmanned aerial systems helps support defense missions, public safety and commercial uses. CEO Pramod Raheja talked about developing talent as part of a panel discussion on remote internships earlier this year.

Clene Nanomedicine

The North East firm is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on treating neurodegenerative diseases.

HopFlyt

The Lusby-based aerospace company is building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Infercabulary

The Towson edtech startup makes a visual vocabulary tool, and is growing this year with investment and increased demand amid remote learning.

InventWood

The College Park startup is developing environmentally sustainable cellulose products, and is a current member of the F3Tech accelerator.

IonQ

The College Park quantum computing hardware and software company recently opened a quantum computing data center, and recently launched a next-generation quantum computer.

Ion Storage Systems

The University of Maryland College Park spinout company commercializing a new form of rechargeable battery technology is moving into a new HQ with a manufacturing center in Prince George’s County by the end of the year.

Live Chair Health

After moving to Maryland, taking part in Annapolis’ FounderTrac accelerator and getting investment from MCVC Partners, the company built out a healthcare assessment that’s conducted at the barbershop. It recently made expansion moves in Northwest Baltimore through a partnership with LifeBridge Health.

Medcura

The medical device company developing a wound care platform for surgical, medical, and consumer applications moved earlier this year to a new facility in Riverdale, which is part of the Discovery District that is rising adjacent to the University of Maryland College Park.

N5 Sensors, Inc.

The Rockville-based electronics company manufacturing high-performance sensors and detectors.

pathOtrak

The College Park-based biotech company is developing a rapid detection test for foodborne pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella.

Penacity

The Hanover-based cybersecurity company providing services to the private sector and federal government delivers services including assessment, monitoring and defense.

Relavo

The medical device company started by Johns Hopkins students is developing solution for safer, in-home kidney dialysis.

Resensys

The College Park-based company makes a wireless sensor network to help monitor infrastructure systems against aging and malfunction.

Silfra Biosystems

This UMBC startup manages fish waste in aquaculture.

Sisu Global Health

The Remington-based medical device company that makes the Hemafuse, a mechanical device to recycle blood for transfusion.

Theradaptive, Inc.

A Frederick-based pharmaceutical company focused on regenerative medicine and native tissue repair.

Vita Therapeutics

This Baltimore cell engineering company out of Johns Hopkins uses a form of technology to engineer cell types to replace others that are defective in a body.