o UFORCE Raises $700 Million; Major Hub in Washington, D.C.
o Herndon-based Serco Acquires QinetiQ U.S. For $292 Million
o McLean-based Numeracle Raises $28 Million from Edison
o Troy LeMaile-Stovall Stepping Down as CEO of TEDCO
o Maryland-based iCareManager Receives Investment from Five Elms
o Arlington-based Higher Logic Acquires Mission Fuel AI
o Expel Names Steve Kelley as New Chairman, CEO
o NVTC Announces 2026 Tech100 Honorees
o College Park-based IonQ Names New CFO
> Tech Wire Event: Public Affairs & Advocacy in a Divided D.C.
o Briefly Noted: Luminoah, Shield AI, DNSFilter
UFORCE Raises $700 Million at $6 Billion Valuation; Major Hub in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – UFORCE, a London-based defense technology company with roots in Ukraine and hubs in Ukraine and Washington, D.C., has raised $700 million in Series A funding at a valuation of $6 billion. The round was co-led by Valor Equity Partners and the UK National Wealth Fund, with participation from the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF).
“This deal is URIF’s largest investment in the emerging technology sector to date and a significant step toward mobilizing investment that strengthens Ukraine’s economic fortitude, reinforces its security, and accelerates its long-term recovery,” said Conor Coleman, Head of Investments of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation on Behalf of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. “UFORCE reflects the kind of bold, innovative Ukrainian company URIF is built to support, one helping turn Ukraine’s resilience and ingenuity into lasting economic and strategic strength for the United States, Ukraine, and our allies.”
Herndon-based Serco Acquires Tysons-based QinetiQ For $292 Million
Herndon, Va. – Serco Inc, the Herndon-based technology and engineering company, announced that it has acquired QinetiQ’s U.S. business, which is based in Tysons, for $292 million. Serco, with its parent company based in the UK, said the move will significantly increase its presence in space systems markets.
“One of the most exciting synergies will be the joining of our space portfolios. Space is the fast-moving domain of the future, and we want to be there in a significant way,” said Barbara Supplee, CEO of Serco. “Between existing work at Serco Inc. and the programs supported by QinetiQ US, we will have a significant number of highly skilled engineers fielding next-generation satellite constellations to improve U.S. national security and missile defense.”
McLean-based Numeracle Raises $28 Million from Edison Partners
McLean, Va. – Numeracle, a McLean-based company developing voice identity management technology, has raised $28 million in a growth round led by Edison Partners. Amid an upsurge in AI-generated fraudulent voice calls, Numeracle has developed technology to verify legitimate calls and voices. The company was founded in 2018 by Rebekah Johnson – a 2026 finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Mid-Atlantic award.
“As telecommunications fraud rises, legitimate businesses are increasingly impacted by the systems built to stop it,” the company said in a release about the funding round. “Carriers’ evolving call blocking and labeling models routinely block or mislabel calls from hospitals, schools, airlines, and other businesses. In a national Numeracle study, 69% of U.S. consumers say they have missed, ignored, or declined a call because they couldn’t trust the caller ID. Meanwhile, AI makes it easier than ever for bad actors to create fake businesses, acquire phone numbers, and impersonate legitimate brands.”
Troy LeMaile-Stovall Stepping Down as CEO of TEDCO
Columbia, Md. – TEDCO, the Maryland state technology development agency that is a major provider of early-stage capital in the state, has named Lester Davis as Interim CEO, succeeding Troy LeMaile-Stovall who has served in the role since 2020. LeMaile-Stovall will serve through Nov. 26. Davis most recently served as Chief of Staff to Maryland Governor Wes Moore. TEDCO’s board of directors announced that it will begin a selection process for the permanent CEO.
Maryland-based iCareManager Receives Investment from Five Elms
Columbia, Md. – iCareManager, a Columbia-based technology company developing an AI-based care platform for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced a strategic growth investment from Five Elms Capital. The amount of the investment was not disclosed.
“Over the years, we’ve built iCareManager with a clear purpose: to make technology work better for the people who provide support and care,” said Kamal Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of iCareManager. “We’re now entering a new era where AI will fundamentally change how people work and interact with technology. The next generation of software won’t just help people manage their work; it will increasingly work alongside them.”
Arlington-based Higher Logic Acquires Mission Fuel AI
Arlington, Va. – Higher Logic, the Arlington-based association and member engagement technology firm, announced that it has acquired Cincinnati-based -based Mission Fuel AI, an education and e-learning company focused on courses and curricula. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Higher Logic said Mission Fuel’s offerings will be used by its customers for course authoring, instructional design, and curriculum development services.
“Mission Fuel brings a deep experience in learning design and the tools to turn an association’s knowledge into education that helps members grow. It’s part of our commitment to bringing associations the technology and expertise they need to deliver more value to their members,” said Rob Wenger, CEO of Higher Logic.
Expel Names Steve Kelley as New Chairman, CEO
Herndon, Va. – Expel, the Herndon-based cybersecurity company increasingly focused on blocking AI threats, has named Steve Kelley as its board chairman and new CEO. He succeeds co-founder Dave Merkel, who will remain on the company’s board of directors. Merkel has served as CEO for the past 10 years. Kelley formerly served as president and general manager of Bitdefender’s 700-person Business Solutions Group, where he led a turnaround of the unit.
“I’ve spent 10 years building Expel with a crew I’d go to war with. Knowing when to hand off is part of the job, and this is the right time,” said Merkel. “Steve has scaled security businesses before, and he’s the right person to lead Expel’s next chapter. The mission doesn’t change. We’ve always stopped bad people from doing bad things. Now we’ll stop AI-enabled bad people from doing bad things.”
NVTC Announces 2026 Tech100 Honorees
McLean, Va. – The Northern Virginia Technology Council has announced its 2026 Tech100 honorees, recognizing technology companies and executives in the region. The full list of awardees is available here.
College Park-based IonQ Names New CFO
College Park, Md. – IonQ, the College Park-based quantum computing giant, announced that Inder Singh is stepping down as CFO and COO. Gary Merrill, currently CFO of Commvault Systems, has been named the new CFO and will join the company in December. IonQ, with a market capitalization of $13.3 billion, has seen its stock fall nearly 40% since the beginning of the year.
Tech Wire Event: Public Affairs & Advocacy in a Divided Washington: The 2027 Outlook
Thu Dec 3, 2026 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM in Washington, DC
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Join Potomac Tech Wire for this breakfast event.
In the wake of the tectonic shift from the 2026 midterm elections, Washington is preparing for a new Congress and a shifting political landscape. What will the election results mean for public affairs, government relations, and advocacy professionals navigating an increasingly complex and polarized policy environment for their clients and organizations? More info here.
Briefly Noted
(Charlottesville, Va.) Luminoah, a Charlottesville-based medical technology company, has raised $25 million in a Series B round led by Sandbox Clinical Ventures, with participation from the Blue Venture Fund, GV (Google Ventures), Sands Capital, Texas Medical Center Venture Fund, the CU Healthcare Innovation Fund, the American Gastroenterological Association GI Opportunity Fund, and existing investors. The company is developing an advanced tube feeding system used for nutrition.
(Arlington, Va.) Shield AI, an AI-focused defense technology company with an office in Arlington, has named Matt Ofilos as CFO. Ofilos was formerly CFO at Parsons.
(Washington, D.C.) DNSFilter, the D.C.-based cybersecurity company, has named Justin Foster as CTO. Foster was most recently CTO of Forescout.
Tech Wire Event: Public Affairs & Advocacy in a Divided Washington: The 2027 Outlook
Thu Dec 3, 2026 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM in Washington, DC
Join Potomac Tech Wire for this breakfast event.



