Office of Research and Economic Development

About Our Office

The USM Office of Research and Economic Development was founded in 2016 to promote technology commercialization, workforce development, entrepreneurship and partnerships among USM institutions and private and public sector organizations toward the ultimate goal of economic development. We leverage our economic and venture development experience to tackle important issues collaboratively with our stakeholders and ecosystem partners. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion across all of these activities.

We report to the USM Board of Regents Committee on Economic Development and Technology Commercialization. See the latest materials presented to that group to learn more about our current activities.


The most recent USM Economic Impact Study also showcases this work across USM and its impact on Maryland's economy.


Connect with the USM

We connect large companies, small businesses, startups, and other ventures to the USM.



Explore USM Resources for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

The University System of Maryland provides entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with resources - you don't have to be a student or faculty member to access them! Six expansive resources are below:

  • USM Launch Fund A new capital source for entrepreneurs, builders, creators, and innovators, designed to fill gaps and connect to other capital and resources.
  • I-Corps, which trains entrepreneurs in customer discovery to uncover market potential
  • Maryland Technical Internship Program (MTIP), which provides reimbursement for interns
  • Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS), which provides funding for university-based research projects that help the companies develop new products.
  • $16M Maryland Momentum Fund, which invests in USM-related startups
  • TU's StarTUp Accelerator, which provides mentoring, space, and a $10k prize to accepted ventures
  • SU's Shore Hatchery, which provides up to $200,000 annually in prize money via fall and spring business plan competitions

Learn more about these programs and more via this Maryland Entrepreneur Hub list.

The University System of Maryland and our institutions are proudly part of the state-wide Maryland Entrepreneur Hub, which enables innovators, startup founders, and small business owners to find and connect with the right resources for their business, including investors, universities, mentoring programs, networking groups, training programs, and more.


entrepreneurialhub


Quick Economic Impact Stats

  • 42,000 USM graduates annually
  • 38,000+ USM employees
  • 5,950 jobs at USM Research Parks
  • Over 1,000 startups and small businesses supported since 2012
  • Annual Snapshot
    • $1B research activity
    • 85 patents issued
    • 65 technology licenses and options
    • 20 spinouts based on USM technology
    • 40 companies joining USM incubators/research parks
  • Learn More


About Our Team


Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development

Michele Masucci
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
mmasucci@usmd.edu
410.576.5742

In addition to her Vice Chancellor position, Michele has an appointment in the Department of Geography & Environmental Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She came to USM from at Temple University, where she has served as department chair, center director, and research enterprise leader. She was appointed vice provost for research in 2012 and promoted to vice president in 2015 and was credited with managing a substantial increase in research productivity at Temple. Michele received both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography from Clark University. She also holds a B.S. in Geography and Regional Planning from a USM institution, Salisbury University. She held tenure-track appointments at West Georgia University and Auburn University before joining the Temple faculty. Michele's academic research examines how information barriers impact community development and environmental quality-including access to health, education, and social services. She has also worked to develop university-community partnerships with organizations that address human rights issues, and with a number of national and international community and environmental planning organizations.


Lindsay D\

Lindsay Ryan
Executive Director of Economic Development
lryan@usmd.edu
410.576.5730
410.409.2236 (cell)

Lindsay Ryan is Executive Director of Economic Development for the University System of Maryland and coordinates among 12 public institutions throughout Maryland to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development throughout the System and State. She is the Board President of the Maryland Business Innovation Association. Previously, she was the Founding Manager of the business incubator Harbor Launch at IMET and the Chair of the Capital Region Chapter of Women In Bio. Lindsay began her career in the National Science Foundation’s innovation programs. She received a B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland - College Park and an M.S. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill studying Marine Microbiology.


Placeholder USM Icon

Julia Chadwick
Director of Research Development
jchadwick@usmd.edu
301.445.8050


Mike Ravenscroft - Managing Director of the Maryland Momentum Fund

Mike Ravenscroft
Managing Director, Momentum Fund
mravenscroft@usmd.edu
410.706.3361

Mike has devoted his career to entrepreneurship and venture investment. He joins MMF from Dreamit Ventures where he worked with emerging digital health and medical device startups and managed a national network of enterprise healthcare partners and venture funds. Prior to joining Dreamit, Mike founded and led re:Founded, a venture advisory firm that specialized in strategic advisory services for venture capital firms, high-growth technology startups, and innovation programs. He also served as a Venture Associate for the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland, College Park where he sourced seed stage venture deals for angel investors and developed relationships with regional angel networks and venture funds. He previously held investment roles at C5 Capital and CIT GAP Funds, where he led investments in seed stage technology startups across industries. Mike serves on the Advisory Board for Alpine Consolidated, a Washington D.C.-based venture investment company that specializes in early-stage entrepreneurial companies at the intersection of cyber-security, communications, and civilian-government applications unique to the Capitol marketplace. In this capacity, he works with C-Suite executives and angel investors from around the DMV to source and invest in innovative pre-seed and seed stage product companies. Mike earned a Masters of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, a Masters of Arts from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts from University of Michigan.


Placeholder USM Icon

Matthew Jenkins
Administrative Assistant II
mjenkins@usmd.edu