o DC-based Virtru Raises $50 Million at $500 Million Valuation
o College Park-Based IonQ Acquires Capella Space
o Fairfax-Based Sphinx Acquires Stafford-Based Enigma International
o Longtime CFO to Depart Marriott International Next March
o Briefly Noted: IonQ, Lindahl Reed
DC-based Virtru Raises $50 Million at $500 Million Valuation
Washington, DC – At a valuation of $500 million, Virtru, a DC-based data security startup, announced that it has raised $50 million in new funding. The round was led by ICONIQ, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Foundry, and The Chertoff Group. Virtru’s security platform is used by JPMorgan Chase, Equifax, Capital One, Salesforce, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
"This is a pivotal moment not just for Virtru, but for global security architecture," said John Ackerly, CEO and Co-Founder of Virtru. "From day one, Virtru’s mission has been to unlock the full value of data by ensuring it remains under your control, everywhere it travels. AI represents a seismic shift in business workflows, dramatically amplifying the need for precise, data-centric security that moves seamlessly with data across all boundaries.”
College Park-Based IonQ Acquires Capella Space to Pave Way for Network
College Park, Md. – Days after raising $1 billion in an equity offering, College Park-based quantum computing company IonQ said on Tuesday it has acquired San Francisco-based space tech company Capella Space, a developer of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and satellite technologies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. IonQ said the move will bolster its goal to develop the world’s first space-to-space and space-to-ground satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) network, enabling quantum-secure global communications. The company said it plans to integrate Capella’s satellite infrastructure with its quantum technology, creating a network that prevents encryption keys from being intercepted or copied without detection.
“We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet, where global QKD will play a foundational role in enabling secure communications,” said Niccolo de Masi, the CEO of IonQ. “The integration of Capella’s advanced space-based platform and proven constellation of deployed satellites – along with IonQ’s quantum technologies – is expected to bolster commercial applications, global defense and intelligence missions.”
Fairfax-Based Sphinx Acquires Stafford-Based Enigma International
Fairfax, Va. – Sphinx, a Fairfax-based developer of counterintelligence and cyber tools for the military, said it has acquired Stafford-based Enigma International, a provider of professional and technical services to defense and intelligence clients. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Sphinx said that adding Enigma's language and systems development capabilities will bolster the services it provides to defense and commercial security clients. Enigma also holds several key contracts, including spots on both the GSA OASIS+ and DIA DLITE II vehicles.
“They not only add unique qualifications that aid in the protection of U.S. interests, but they are embedded within three new intelligence organizations, where we can now drive transformative solutions,” said Sphinx CEO Garrett Pagon.
Longtime CFO to Depart Marriott International Next March
Bethesda, Md. – Marriott International, the Bethesda-based hospitality giant and one of the largest IT employers in the DC area, said on Monday that longtime CFO Leeny Oberg plans to retire at the end of March 2026. Oberg, who also serves as executive vice president of development, has been with the company for 26 years, and has served as its CFO since 2016. Upon her departure, Jen Mason, a 33-year Marriott veteran, will assume the role of executive vice president and CFO, and 28-year company veteran Shawn Hill will become executive vice president and chief development officer.
Briefly Noted
(College Park, Md.) College Park-based IonQ, a developer of quantum computing and networking technology, has named Paul Dacier as its chief legal officer and corporate secretary. Dacier, most recently a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, succeeds Stacey Giamalis, who will remain at the company in an advisory capacity for up to 90 days.
(Washington, DC) Lindahl Reed, an Oregon-based provider of technical, scientific, engineering and research services with offices in DC, said it has promoted Shayne Naugle to senior vice president of growth. Naugle most recently served as the company’s vice president of corporate and new venture development, working with the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management and the National Nuclear Security Administration.