Potomac Tech Wire - Feb. 18
Booz Allen to Acquire Pittsburgh-based Defy Security
o Booz Allen to Acquire Pittsburgh-based Defy Security
o DC-based ARCYN Defense Closes Seed Funding Round
o GRVTY to Open New HQ in Tysons for 200+ Employees
o Jim Reagan Named New CEO of Reston-based SAIC
o Columbia, Md.-based Vectorworks Acquires Morpholio App
o DC-based FiscalNote to Provide Info for Prediction Markets
o Briefly Noted: Manifest, Andromeda Ventures, ECS
Booz Allen to Acquire Pittsburgh-based Defy Security
McLean, Va. – In a move aimed at increasing its product revenue from the commercial sector, Booz Allen Hamilton announced the acquisition of Pittsburgh-based Defy Security, an enterprise cybersecurity firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Booz Allen said the deal will help it grow its business in the United Kingdom and European Union.
“This acquisition helps us deliver resilient cybersecurity services and technologies for leading enterprises like never before,” said Andrew Turner, head of Booz Allen’s global commercial business. “Together, Booz Allen and Defy Security will unlock new market opportunities, accelerate innovation, and help our customers protect their most critical assets in an increasingly fast-paced threat environment.”
DC-based ARCYN Defense Closes Seed Funding Round
Washington, DC – ARCYN Defense, a DC-based air defense and counter-threat startup, announced that it has closed on a seed funding round. ARCYN, formerly called Marteos Industries, is developing a prototype air defense platform, and is expected to participate in several upcoming demonstrations by the Department of Defense. The company also announced the appointment of Aaron Poynton as its CEO. “Our mission is to build defense systems aligned with today’s operational realities,” Poynton said. “ARCYN is focused on precision, resilience, and affordability at a scale that enables real deterrence.
GRVTY to Open New Headquarters in Tysons For 200+ Employees
Tysons, Va. – GRVTY, an advanced technology company for national security agencies based in Arlington, announced that it will open its new corporate headquarters in Tysons. The 22,000-square-foot headquarters that will house over 200 employees will be located at 8270 Greensboro Drive. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project. “Establishing this location is a strategic step forward for GRVTY,” said Katie Selbe, CEO of GRVTY. “Our headquarters is not only a place to work – it’s where we inspire next generation thinking to drive meaningful innovation all across the company, directly advancing our national security.”
Jim Reagan Named New CEO of Reston-based SAIC
Reston, Va. – With its stock down 12% so far this year amid turbulence in the government contracting sector, Science Applications International Corporation, the Reston-based government technology contractor, has announced the appointment of Jim Reagan as its new CEO. Reagan, who was appointed Interim CEO in October, previously worked as CFO of Leidos Holdings.
Columbia, Md.-based Vectorworks Acquires Morpholio App
Columbia, Md. – Vectorworks, a Maryland-based developer of design software, announced that it has acquired North Carolina-based Morpholio, a drawing and design app for architects and other creative professionals. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Morpholio has developed a popular iPad app used by architects and designers.
“Over the past decade, the iPad and Apple Pencil have sparked a creative renaissance for architects and designers,” said Morpholio Co-Founder Anna Kenoff. “Morpholio was founded with the vision to help define that era. While that has been an incredible beginning, we’re now ready to lead the design industry into its next creative technology revolution.”
DC-based FiscalNote to Provide Info, Data for Prediction Markets
Washington, DC – Amid the rapid growth of political prediction markets, DC-based FiscalNote Holdings, announced that it will soon begin providing policy and expertise for users of prediction markets. It plans to announce a new site called PoliticalPredictions.ai. The company also announced a partnership with prediction market 365Prediction.
“Prediction markets are rapidly emerging as a powerful new way to understand, anticipate, and engage with outcomes across a wide range of domains,” said Josh Resnik, President & CEO of FiscalNote. “As public interest in politics and policy decisions accelerates, this category is poised to reshape how political insight is formed, shared, and acted upon, extending well beyond traditional audiences. With this expansion into prediction markets, FiscalNote is positioning itself to define this space over time, bringing its policy intelligence, data sets, and expertise into a category that is still taking shape.”
Briefly Noted
(Washington, DC) Manifest, a DC-based supply chain security platform, has named Greg Armor as its chief revenue officer. Armor most recently served as CRO at Sycurio.
(Washington, DC) Andromeda Ventures, a DC-based space and defence venture capital firm, has named David Greenberg as a senior advisor. Greenberg was formerly Chairman of the Advisory Board for Amercanex, Executive Board and Board Member of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), and the President of Sterling Commodities.
(Fairfax, Va.) ECS, a Fairfax-based advanced technology unit under the Everforth brand, has named Donnie Scott as its new president. He succeeds John Heneghan, who will now lead ASGN’s Federal Segment. Scott most recently served as CEO of IDEMIA Public Security North America.