Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) used a 12-day trip across Jordan, Qatar and the UAE in September 2026 to build relationships with governments, investors and technology companies across the Middle East.
TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall joined Discover Digital Jordan 2026, hosted by Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. In Amman, he spoke to around 80 ecosystem leaders about Maryland’s approach to connecting research, capital and startup support. The delegation also held business meetings and explored potential market access and support opportunities for Jordanian companies entering the US.
In Doha, discussions focused on venture capital and commercialization. Meetings included Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar Development Bank, the Qatar Investment Authority, the US Embassy and Builders VC. Maryland’s life sciences assets, including the NIH, FDA, federal laboratories and Johns Hopkins University, were central to conversations with Qatari institutions, according to TEDCO.
The final stop, Abu Dhabi, centered on the US-UAE business relationship and included the US-UAE Business Council reception on September 15.
Two TEDCO portfolio company leaders, Vennard Wright of PerVista and James Brinkley of Laucyn AI and iLeepe, joined the Jordan leg. The company said both were expecting contracts with Jordanian institutions following meetings during the trip.
TEDCO said the visit is intended to support continued collaboration, including pathways for Middle Eastern companies seeking a US base and Maryland startups exploring the region.
Source: The Business Journals
