o McLean-based Bricklayer AI Raises $2.5 Million in Pre-Seed
o Bethesda-based Keep Company Raises $1.4 Million
o Rockville-based Dataprise Acquires NC-based Hooks Systems
o Hughes Network Systems Opens Germantown Manufacturing Facility
o College Park-based IonQ Names Peter Chapman as Chairman
o Briefly Noted: DXC Technology, REI Systems, Fusion Technology, Akima Global Technology
McLean-based Bricklayer AI Raises $2.5 Million in Pre-Seed
McLean, Va. – Bricklayer AI, a McLean-based cybersecurity startup, announced that it has raised $2.5 million in a pre-seed round. Investors in the round included Sovereign's Capital, Dreamit Ventures, VIPC's Virginia Venture Partners, BlueWing Ventures and Blu Ventures. The company said it has developed an “autonomous security platform” that combines AI agents with human specialists to deal with cybersecurity threats.
"There are simply too few cybersecurity professionals to meet the demand of today's threats. Human teams have an insurmountable challenge by themselves,” said Adam Vincent, the founder and CEO of Bricklayer AI. “Adding AI analysts that are purposefully trained to automate time-consuming tasks, is the best way to solve for the hiring dilemma."
Bethesda-based Keep Company Raises $1.4 Million
Bethesda, Md. – Keep Company, a Bethesda-based startup using technology to prevent burnout among parents and caregivers, announced that it has raised $1.4 million in a funding round. Investors in the round included Techstars, Idea Fund Partners, VEST Her Ventures, 100KM, Pixel Perfect Ventures and TEDCO. The company has now raised a total of over $2 million. The company also announced that local entrepreneur Zvi Band has been named CTO.
“The loneliness epidemic isn’t going anywhere and we’re encouraged that more companies are addressing the need to care for the substantial majority of the workforce that takes care of someone at home,” said Adrienne Prentice, co-founder and CEO of Keep Company. “At Keep Company, we’re seeing the impact of our solution on individual employees and the firms at large.”
Rockville-based Dataprise Acquires NC-based Hooks Systems
Rockville, Md. – Dataprise, a Rockville-based IT services and cybersecurity company, announced that it has acquired North Carolina-based Hooks Systems, an IT services firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dataprise said the acquisition will allow it to expand its presence in the Carolinas. Hooks has over 165 clients that are primarily located in the Southeast.
Hughes Network Systems Opens Germantown Manufacturing Facility
Germantown, Md. – Hughes Network Systems, a unit of EchoStar providing broadband equipment and services, said it has opened a new manufacturing facility and private 5G incubation center in Germantown. The company said its Hughes EXM facility, located on the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology on the Montgomery College campus, will employ approximately 400 engineers, technicians and manufacturing staff, while also utilizing advanced robotics to assist in the manufacture of products such as satellite modems and terminals.
College Park-Based IonQ Names Peter Chapman as Chairman
College Park, Md. – IonQ, the College Park-based quantum computing company, has named Peter Chapman as its new chairman. The company also has named Harry You as lead independent director. Both Chapman and You will continue in their existing roles at the company, with Chapman as CEO and president and You as chairman of the audit committee.
Briefly Noted:
(Ashburn, Va.) Ashburn-based technology services giant DXC Technology has named Patrick Thompson as its senior vice president of enterprise transformation. Thompson previously served as the chief information and digital transformation officer at Albemarle, where he also was the executive global business service leader.
(Sterling, Va.) Sterling-based REI Systems, a provider of technology to government agencies and not-for-profits, has named Shawn Julien as its chief people officer, a newly created position. Julien previously held HR leadership roles with General Dynamics Information Technology, Engility, TASC and Allegis Group.
(Bridgeport, W.Va.) Fusion Technology, a West Virginia-based provider of technology and cybersecurity services, said it has won a new $159.8 million contract with the FBI. Under the deal, the company will help the FBI build and deliver systems such as the National Data Exchange, the Law Enforcement Online (LEO) System, Crime Data (CD) and the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP).
(Herndon, Va.) Herndon-based Akima Global Technology (AGT), a provider of IT services to the federal government and commercial clients, said it has been selected as one of two awardees of an Air Force IT support contract with a total ceiling of $750 million. Through the deal, the company will operate an around-the-clock service desk supporting over 4,500 employees across 37 separate networks, as well as manage lifecycle replacement of associated IT hardware and equipment.