# UM Ventures

UM Ventures is a Venture Capital based in Baltimore, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Venture Capital
- **Headquarters:** Baltimore, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Baltimore, MD, United States
- **Founded:** 2012
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** www.umventures.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/umventures

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

UM Ventures is an initiative of the University of Maryland that channels technical resources and research expertise. It engages partners in industry and social ventures to expand real-world impact. The initiative provides expert advice and business services to students and faculty, facilitating market entry for discoveries.

## Sectors

- Life Sciences
- Biotech
- Healthcare Services
- Therapeutics
- Medical Devices
- Diagnostics

## People

- James L. Hughes — Chief Enterprise & Economic Development Officer and Senior Vice President, University of Maryland, Baltimore

## Questions

### How does UM Ventures source its investment opportunities?

Deal flow comes entirely from invention disclosures filed by faculty and researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park. A commercialization review board evaluates each disclosure and decides which technologies advance to patent protection and seed funding. The office does not invest in companies without a university-affiliated founder or licensed IP.

### Which therapeutic areas does the UM Ventures portfolio concentrate on?

The portfolio skews toward oncology, immunotherapy, infectious disease, neuroscience, and cardiovascular medicine — mirroring the research priorities of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Medical devices, diagnostics, and health IT also appear, particularly from the bioengineering and computer science departments in College Park.

### How is UM Ventures connected to the University of Maryland BioPark?

UM Ventures and the University of Maryland BioPark are separate entities but operationally aligned. The BioPark provides physical wet-lab and office space for portfolio companies, while UM Ventures steers faculty startups into BioPark facilities. Both report into UMB's economic development structure, and the BioPark's tenant pipeline depends significantly on UM Ventures' spinout activity.

### Can external investors co-invest alongside UM Ventures in university spinouts?

Yes. UM Ventures frequently syndicates with the Maryland Venture Fund, TEDCO, and regional early-stage firms. The office introduced a co-investor network to match external venture capital with faculty-founded startups. External participation is encouraged as a validation mechanism before the seed round closes.

## Related profiles

- [Umusun Lab](https://altss.com/profile/umusun-lab)
- [Una Terra](https://altss.com/profile/una-terra)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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