These 3 entrepreneurs just got funding from the Minority Business Pre-Seed Fund

TEDCO and Harbor Bank Community Development Corporation announced the latest recipients of capital from the Minority Business Pre-Seed Fund on Friday.

Through the program, which launched earlier this year, three businesses will get $40,000.

As TEDCO’s Mac Conwell previously told Technical.ly, the fund grew out of a recognition that TEDCO needed to do more to reach minority entrepreneurs in the state. The fund is being piloted to help African American entrepreneurs in Maryland. It focuses on founders at the idea stage who need capital to help test their concept as a viable business.

An initial round of funding was awarded to three companies in July. Deadline for the next round of applications is Jan. 18, 2018.

Here are the latest recipients:

• PyroDex, founded by Djikolngar Maouyo, is a biotech company specializing in detection of pyrogens and fever-causing contaminants. The company is based in Baltimore.
• PYT Funds, founded by Stacie Whisonant, is a Rockville-based startup helping students access funding to complete college. Read Technical.ly DC’s coverage.
• kweliTV, founded by DeShauna Spencer, is a Silver Spring–based streaming platform that focuses on content reflecting the experience of the African Diaspora.