TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, released a live edition of the virtual series “TEDCO Talks.” Throughout this series, TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall connects with thought leaders across Maryland.
On the latest “TEDCO Talks,” LeMaile-Stovall interviewed Brian Pieninck, CEO of CareFirst, at the 2023 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in Baltimore. During the discussion, Pieninck and LeMaile-Stovall dived into the vast resources Maryland has to offer; what needs to be done to utilize these resources; and Cultivate Maryland, a new initiative TEDCO is spearheading to create a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem.
Rather than considering how to attract large businesses to an area, Pieninck said, companies, cities and states should focus more on the area’s economic foundation: successful entrepreneurism and small businesses.
“If you do interesting and effective things … people will find you,” said Pieninck.” And the interesting and effective things we can do in a space starts with entrepreneurism and small businesses. If we grow and develop that foundation effectively – if we show that this is a place where small businesses can thrive – (it will become) a place, an ecosystem and an environment that large organizations complementary to those efforts want to be in.”
Through the Cultivate Maryland initiative, TEDCO will create opportunities for a larger and more diverse workforce through the support and increased opportunities for underrepresented people to access high technology-based education, careers and entrepreneurial activities.
“Cultivate Maryland is an initiative that not only promotes groundbreaking changes to the state’s ecosystem, but it’s an initiative we at TEDCO are proud to be a part of,” said LeMaile-Stovall. “And we couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of many individuals, including Brian. It’s time for us to embrace the future, grow our ecosystem, and become a leader in economic growth and competitiveness nationwide.”
Click here to watch the full episode and to learn more about CareFirst, Cultivate Maryland and the importance of embracing change throughout the Maryland ecosystem. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you won’t miss out on future episodes.
Tammi Thomas is chief development and marketing officer at TEDCO. You can reach her at tthomas@tedcomd.com.
