TEDCO Chief Executive Officer Troy LeMaile-Stovall concluded a 12-day international tour across the Middle East in September 2026. The Maryland-based organization’s leader visited Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to evaluate potential expansion opportunities for the state’s technology sector. During the trip, Troy LeMaile-Stovall engaged with regional stakeholders to identify collaborative projects and investment prospects for Maryland companies. TEDCO officials planned the itinerary to strengthen international ties and establish a presence for the organization’s portfolio within these specific markets. The visit reflects ongoing efforts by the entity to connect regional innovation ecosystems with the economic network located in Maryland.
Engaging Jordan's Innovation Ecosystem
Troy LeMaile-Stovall participated in the Discover Digital Jordan 2026 delegation while visiting the country. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship hosted this initiative to facilitate engagement between international participants and the local technology sector.
During his time in Amman, the TEDCO Chief Executive Officer addressed approximately 80 leaders representing Jordan's entrepreneurship and innovation community. He utilized the session to discuss potential collaborative projects and investment opportunities between Maryland companies and Jordanian entities. The event served as a platform for regional stakeholders to exchange insights regarding the growth of their respective ecosystems. Discussions focused on identifying specific prospects for future partnership, aligning with the broader objectives of the TEDCO international tour.
Maryland Companies Pursue Partnerships
Vennard Wright of PerVista and James Brinkley of Laucyn AI and iLeepe joined the TEDCO delegation during the tour. Both executives engaged with local counterparts to identify specific operational synergies. Vennard Wright, CEO of PerVista, stated: "Our TEDCO-led trip to Jordan produced more than valuable relationships. It created tangible opportunities for PerVista to leverage our patented AI technology to protect critical infrastructure and communities abroad. This experience reinforces a powerful truth: innovation born in Maryland has the potential to make communities safer around the world."
PerVista and Laucyn AI/iLeepe are expecting to secure contracts from Jordanian institutions following the trip. James Brinkley, CEO of Laucyn AI and iLeepe, remarked: "What impressed me most about Jordan was the extraordinary talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit we encountered. We went to build relationships and explore opportunities but came away with connections that are already opening doors for meaningful partnerships and business opportunities for Laucyn AI and iLeepe. I'm incredibly grateful to TEDCO for making those connections possible. What excites me most is the potential to turn these relationships into lasting collaborations that expand access, create opportunities, and make a meaningful difference in people's lives."
The delegation also held meetings in Doha with Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar Development Bank, and the Qatar Investment Authority. These discussions centered on aligning Maryland-based startup support models with regional investment mandates.
A U.S.–UAE Business Council reception was held in Abu Dhabi on September 15, 2026. This gathering provided a venue for Maryland representatives to engage with stakeholders regarding future international cooperation. Summarizing the tour’s objective, Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO CEO, said: "From Amman to Doha to Abu Dhabi, we heard the same thing: the region's innovators and investors want a trusted collaborator in the United States. Maryland, with its research institutions, federal assets and startup support, is ready to be that collaborator, and TEDCO is eager to help build those bridges."
