Ecphora Capital

Maryland's premier medtech VC firm

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

America was made to be extraordinary. 🇺🇸

As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday this weekend, we have been reflecting on what makes America so exceptional.

What stands out is sacrifice, boldness, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that tomorrow can be better than today.

Nowhere is that spirit more evident than in entrepreneurship.

Recently, Ecphora Capital had the privilege of judging and presenting awards at the Health Security Innovation Pitches at the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Consortium & Medical CBRN Defense Consortium.

The innovations were remarkable, with technologies designed to protect our nation from nuclear, chemical, and biological threats and breakthroughs that strengthen our preparedness, resilience, and national security.

The need for these solutions is obvious. The mission is clear.

The companies that rose to the top could answer two critical questions:

Can you prove the science actually works?
Can you commercialize it at scale?

That combination separated the winners.

And if you think about it, that's also how America wins.

For 250 years, this country has been defined by people who innovate, build, solve problems, and rise to meet challenges.

America is a nation of innovators, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and risk-takers. We are builders driving the world forward and defenders protecting our rights and freedoms.

Today, more than ever, we are grateful to be part of that story.

We are free.

Happy 250th birthday, America. 🇺🇸

#America250 #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #NationalSecurity #Leadership #Patriotism #AmericanInnovation #BuildTheFuture

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

“The future belongs not to the region with the most research, but to the region that can most effectively transform that research into products, into companies, and into better outcomes for humanity.”

At Ecphora Capital, we believe Maryland is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of medical commercialization.

The region possesses extraordinary strengths: world-class research institutions, leading federal laboratories, premier health systems, deep scientific talent, and a growing base of entrepreneurs and investors. The discoveries are here.

The opportunity now is to accelerate the translation of those discoveries into products, companies, and measurable impact for patients and communities.

The science is here.
The talent is here.
The startups are here.
The capital is growing.
Now is the time to scale.

We are grateful to @BioBuzzNetworks and the team at the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology for bringing together leaders from across the ecosystem to discuss what comes next and how we can collectively strengthen Maryland's innovation economy.

The future of medical innovation can and should be built in Maryland.

https://t.co/JRYf0CkWaa

#Maryland #LifeSciences #Biotech #MedicalInnovation #VentureCapital #InnovationEcosystem

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

Ecphora Capital Managing Partner @debhemingway testified before both the Maryland House Ways & Means Committee and Senate Budget & Taxation Committee in support of HB400 / SB247.

The bill converts the BIITC tax credit into a grant program — streamlining access and strengthening Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem.

Policy shapes capital. Capital shapes innovation.

Let’s pass this bill.

Full testimony here (2:23):
https://t.co/NV51Rmaali

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

Charles Kirby of @EcphoraCapital joined founders, funders, and innovators at NEXT by Shulman Rogers during DC Startup & Tech Week, connecting with early-stage teams shaping the future of healthcare across the DMV.

Thanks Lisa Friedlander for the invitation.

#HealthcareInnovation #Medtech #Biotech #DCStartupWeek #NEXTRaise #EcphoraCapital

[Nick Stewart @Stewart4BaltCo]

The Baltimore region isn’t overrun with crime — it’s overflowing with opportunity.

That’s the message @debhemingway of @ecphoracapital and I shared in this @baltimoresun guest commentary.

Deborah and I work together to facilitate investment into Maryland's startups.

Recently, headlines have painted Baltimore and the surrounding region as fundamentally broken. While we have challenges, the truth is this: Baltimore is building the future — across the city, the county, and the entire region.

Every day, innovators right here in Maryland are transforming health care, cybersecurity, and community development:

🧠 @JuneBrainInc is detecting neurological disease earlier.
💊 Mi-Helper is delivering migraine relief more effectively.
🩺 @longeviti is making brain surgery safer.
💻 And from @UMBC's @bwtechRPC to the cyber corridor at @USAGFortMeade, our region is driving the next wave of digital security.

Maryland now ranks among the top five states for life sciences, home to more than 2,700 biohealth companies and $2 billion in annual venture investment.

The Greater Baltimore–Washington corridor is powering medical and technological innovation — creating jobs, growing businesses, and strengthening communities.

Baltimore and the surrounding region aren’t a liability. They’re a launchpad.

When we tell the full story — of our scientists, entrepreneurs, and neighborhoods on the rise — we attract the investment, optimism, and opportunity our region deserves.

Let’s rewrite the narrative together.

Link to our full op-ed in The Baltimore Sun located in the thread.

#NickStewart2026 #BaltimoreCounty #OneCounty @MDBiz

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

When startups and small businesses thrive, Baltimore thrives.

That’s why we’re backing @nickcstewart for Baltimore County Exec. Proud to stand with fellow CEOs and founders at this week’s fundraiser!

#StartupsForNick #SmallBusiness #Baltimore #NickStewart2026 #OneCounty #BaltimoreCounty @Stewart4BaltCo

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

Nick Stewart for Baltimore County Executive | Private Reception

If you’ve been following Ecphora Capital���s journey, then you already know the kind of visionary, principled leadership that Nick Stewart brings to the table. As our corporate counsel and strategic advisor, Nick has been instrumental in shaping Ecphora into the firm it is today.

Now, Nick is bringing that same clarity, strength, and action-oriented mindset to public service as a candidate for Baltimore County Executive.

We couldn’t be prouder to support him. This upcoming private reception is more than a chance to reconnect with Baltimore’s most engaged business and civic leaders. It is an opportunity to fuel the campaign of a candidate who gets things done, and who has the vision and discipline to transform the county’s economic future and position it for long-term success.

Join us on September 20 and be part of the movement shaping Baltimore County, the state, and the entire region. Momentum is building—now is the time to get behind it.

Reserve your ticket here:
https://t.co/3ivcZ08yKC

Space is limited. We would be honored to see you there.

@Stewart4BaltCo #OneCounty #NickStewart2026 #CommunityLeadership #YoungDems #BaltimoreCounty #youngdemocrats
@DuaneMorrisLLP #FutureBCE #MomentumIsBuilding

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

What a night!

Our first-ever Investor Dinner and Portfolio Showcase was nothing short of extraordinary, and now we are delighted to share the highlight reel!

This event brought together our investors, founders, and ecosystem champions for an unforgettable evening of connection, conviction, and celebration. We introduced our firm, spotlighted our incredible portfolio companies, and—most importantly—showed what it looks like when capital and innovation come together in service of a healthier future.

To every founder who presented, every investor who flew in, and every supporter who’s helped us build Ecphora Capital from the ground up: thank you. Nights like this don’t happen without all of you. We are immensely grateful for all that we have achieved together.

Portfolio Executive Spotlight:

Howard Carolan - CEO CoapTech
Jesse Christopher - CEO Longeviti Neuro Solutions
Samantha Scott, PhD - CEO JuneBrain Inc.
Brian Lipford - EVP of Mi-Helper, Inc.
Luis Alvarez - CEO of Theradaptive
Jason Winder - CEO of Sonogen Medical
Chibueze Ihenacho - CEO of ARMR Systems
Brad Hennessie - CEO of NextStep Robotics
Javier Atencia - CEO of Pathotrak

We could not be any prouder of these visionary leaders and portfolio companies. This certainly is an amazing time of celebration and excitement. It is a moment of real momentum—not just for our firm, but for
Maryland’s medical innovation economy, as our companies are delivering breakthrough technologies to the world.

And the best part is that we’re just getting started.

https://t.co/2m0tB51PpW

[Nick Stewart @Stewart4BaltCo]

ICYMI: Our op-ed in The @baltimoresun is out! 🗞️

@BaltCoGov faces real economic headwinds — but also huge potential. 📈

Dr. @debhemingway of @EcphoraCapital & I lay out a bold vision for growth powered by startups, equity & innovation. 💵

Article is below 👇🏼

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

https://t.co/f15Ekqc2Bm

[UMD Science @UMDscience]

With her company @EcphoraCapital, Deborah Hemingway (Ph.D. '18, @UMD_IPST) is reshaping med-tech #VentureCapital in Maryland.

"Everything I’ve done—science, startups, investing—has led me here. It has been a very unique yet amazing journey." https://t.co/RURCkJ3aoe

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

TODAY is THE DAY to Support Biotech Entrepreneurship in Maryland!!!!

The DECADE Act has incredible momentum, and support for ensuring firms like Ecphora Capital can claim BIITC credits has been overwhelming. Now, we need one final push to get this across the finish line and into the hands of legislators. Today is the day to submit written testimony, and we need you!

A few sentences—just 1 to 2 paragraphs—can make a real impact in ensuring this success becomes reality. If you’ve committed to submitting testimony, now is the time! If you haven’t yet, it’s not too late!

• Deadline: 6:00 PM ET TODAY (Friday, Feb 28th)

• Submission link: https://t.co/0kDqTDD4ZD

• Instructions for submission: https://t.co/WFSzyijnk0

• My testimony (for inspiration): https://t.co/29pdbDIaN0

Thank you to everyone who has championed this effort. Your voices matter, and together, we are making a difference!

hashtag#MarylandStrong hashtag#BIITC hashtag#Medtech hashtag#Innovation hashtag#StartupFunding hashtag#VentureCapital hashtag#Healthcare hashtag#EconomicGrowth hashtag#MarylandBusiness hashtag#LifeSciences hashtag#Investment hashtag#SmallBusinessSupport hashtag#Entrepreneurship hashtag#HealthTech hashtag#PublicPolicy hashtag#LegislativeAction hashtag#WomeninVC

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

https://t.co/piS8PYDphQ

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

https://t.co/hXccwRU9rA

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

This year's #TEDCOExpo was electric! A day of bold ideas, transformative connections, and inspiring leaders shaping the future of innovation in #Maryland!

Huge thanks to @MDTEDCO for driving #entrepreneurship forward!

Panel talk by GP @debhemingway on #RaisingCapital

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

Meet the CEOs Driving the Future of Healthcare at Ecphora Capital's upcoming Virtual Pitch Event on Dec 6th from 12 - 1 pm!
https://t.co/FBrCrFj2hv

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

DC Startup & Tech Week panel on 'The Quest for Resources: Unlocking Opportunities for Life Sciences in the DMV.' Was a huge success! VC isn't just about funding—it drives growth, innovation, and makes the DMV a place where life sciences startups flourish.

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

@Connectpreneur VC Investors Panel at today's pitch event @EcphoraCapital Managing Partner @debhemingway at @JHUCarey!

[Ecphora Capital @EcphoraCapital]

Another Fantastic Ecphora Seminar Series is in the Books!