Eye On Annapolis Highlights First AAEDC VOLT Growth Fund Award

August 29, 2021

Eye On Annapolis reported that AAEDC has named Crownsville-based Plus Up, LLC the first small business to benefit from its VOLT Growth Fund (VGF) in the following article:

Crownsville Startup Receives $100K from AAEDC’s VOLT Growth Fund

The article featured commentary from AAEDC CEO Ben Birge, who said: “It’s exciting to see such an innovative business be the first beneficiary of the VOLT Growth Fund. Plus Up aligns well with the program’s goal of helping local companies establish innovative products like Goodtimer in the market and create jobs. It’s certainly a unique way for AAEDC to deploy a portion of the state’s Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) funding.”

It also included commentary from Adam Ashley, who founded Plus Up and co-created Goodtimer, an electronic educational toy that was recently named one of just 14 national finalists in the 2021 Amazon Launchpad Innovator of the Year contest with his wife, Stephanie.

Created by AAEDC, VGF is part of the state’s gaming revenue-funded VLT program and aims to help Maryland-based high-growth innovative and technology product companies implement a go-to-market strategy and accelerate sales. AAEDC began managing the VLT on behalf of the Maryland Department of Commerce in May 2013, and has directed over $14,389,057 in total funds to 112 businesses since.

Learn more about the VOLT Growth Fund or the general VOLT Fund.

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