Members’ Corner: Claudius Taylor
About You
I am passionate about helping early-stage founders build businesses that create jobs and opportunity across Maryland. I am motivated by the founders I meet who are building something from nothing, and by the chance to help them grow.
About Your Work
I work at TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, as a Mentor for the Rural and Urban Business Innovation Initiative in Central Maryland. I provide mentoring, technical assistance, and business support to early-stage and small companies, and I connect them to TEDCO programs like I-Corps, UBII project funding, and the Builder Fund. To me, economic development means giving Maryland founders the guidance and resources they need to turn an idea into a business that strengthens our communities.
About Your Organization
TEDCO is Maryland’s leading source of funding and support for early-stage technology and life sciences companies. What makes TEDCO unique is that it combines capital, mentoring, and hands-on business support under one roof, with a specific focus on founders in underserved and urban communities through the Rural and Urban Business Innovation Initiative. TEDCO does not just fund companies; it walks alongside founders as they build.
About Your Current Role
I have been in my current role since May 2025, serving as a Mentor for TEDCO’s Rural and Urban Business Innovation Initiative in Central Maryland. What I like most is working directly with founders and helping them move from an idea to a funded, growing company.
About Your Economic Development Journey
I ended up in economic development because I saw how many talented founders in Maryland needed more than capital; they needed a guide who had been through the building process. What keeps me here is watching those founders create jobs and opportunity in the communities I grew up around.
