Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII) Mentor - Northern MD Counties & Delaware

Overview

TEDCO was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, to facilitate the creation of businesses and support their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO's role is to be Maryland's leading source of funding for early-stage, technology-based, and life sciences businesses; to provide other business assistance to entrepreneurs throughout the State; and to foster technology transfer and commercialization from the State’s universities and Federal labs. TEDCO is leading innovation to market in Maryland and contributing to a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the State through its various programs and funds.

Position Summary

This contractual position (16–26 hours per week) supports TEDCO’s mission to strengthen Maryland’s innovation ecosystem by identifying, mentoring, and advancing early-stage technology-based companies and small businesses—particularly those not yet engaged in TEDCO’s portfolio.

The RBII Mentor serves as a key regional connector, working closely with economic development offices, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs), and community partners to expand TEDCO’s reach and visibility. This role focuses on sourcing promising companies, providing hands-on guidance, and connecting founders to relevant resources, including technical assistance, programming, and potential funding opportunities across the broader ecosystem.

In addition, the RUBII Mentor collaborates closely with TEDCO’s BRIDGE program by supporting business outreach, engagement, and resource navigation for participating companies, helping them build foundational capacity and access the tools they need to grow.

Essential Responsibilities

• Identify and mentor technology-based startups and small businesses headquartered in Maryland’s Kent, Cecil, and Harford counties, as well as New Castle and Kent counties in Delaware.
• Meet with companies to assess their progress, identify developmental gaps, provide mentorship, and refer them to appropriate TEDCO or local resources.
• Engage with local ecosystem stakeholders, including economic development offices and innovation hubs, to strengthen regional partnerships and expand TEDCO’s presence.
• Represent TEDCO at industry events, workshops, and meetings, as directed, to promote RBII and TEDCO initiatives.
• Provide hands-on support to small businesses by facilitating participation in BRIDGE programming, including business assessments, roadmap development, and ongoing progress tracking
• Plan and organize outreach efforts, including regional conferences, workshops, and open forums to showcase TEDCO’s funding programs and recruit new companies.
• Support entrepreneurs and vendors by assisting companies through TEDCO grant-funded projects.
• Ensure timely and accurate tracking of all mentoring and outreach activities in Salesforce CRM.
• Work closely with the Ecosystem Director, VP of Venture Development, and TEDCO staff on special projects as needed.
• Travel as required within the designated region, with occasional travel to TEDCO headquarters in Columbia, MD, for quarterly or annual meetings (travel expenses reimbursed).

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience working with technology-based startups.
• Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible business experience.
• Strong mentoring and advisory skills with a deep understanding of startup challenges and growth strategies.
• Familiarity with business fundamentals, including financial statements, budgeting, and basic financial management practices.
• Ability to assess business needs and translate them into actionable plans or referrals (e.g., gap identification, roadmap development)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Proficiency in:

• Microsoft 365 Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Virtual meeting tools (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet).
• Salesforce CRM (highly desired).

The rate of pay for this contract position is $60.00 an hour.

TEDCO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any job applicant or employee based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.