Potomac Tech Wire - Nov. 16

Enlightened Hospitality Invests in Bethesda-based Qu

o Enlightened Hospitality Invests in Bethesda-based Qu
o NVTC Releases 2023 NVTC Tech100 List
o Fairfax-based WaveDancer to Acquire Firefly Neuroscience
o Maryland-based SMX Acquires Outside Analytics
o Reston-Based TNS Launches AI Labs Initiative
o Tysons-Based Maximus Sells Foreign Employment Operations
o Tysons-Based Tegna Tabs Media Veteran as Chief Legal Officer
o Briefly Noted: Intelsat, CACI, Electrosoft Services

Bethesda-based Qu Receives Backing from Enlightened Hospitality

Bethesda, Md. – Qu, a Bethesda-based restaurant technology company, announced that it has received an investment from private equity firm Enlightened Hospitality Investments, a firm run by Danny Meyer, the founder of Shake Shack. The amount of the investment was not disclosed. Other investors in the company have included Cota Capital, Bobby Cox Companies and NRD Capital. Qu has developed a commerce platform for multi-channel ordering with a focus on fast casual and quick service chains.

“Qu’s success to date has been possible due to its unrelenting focus on the Quick Service Restaurant and Fast Casual segments and the phenomenal support of its existing investors,” said Amir Hudda, the CEO of Qu. “Having an industry leading voice from Danny Meyer as a new investor and partner will accelerate Qu’s vision for the Quick Service Restaurant industry.”

NVTC Releases 2023 NVTC Tech100 List

McLean, Va. – Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) has released the 2023 NVTC Tech100 honorees that recognizes local executives and companies. This year’s list includes 61 tech companies, 33 executives and six emerging leaders. An independent panel of judges – including Jamie Graham (Kipps DeSanto), Sam Maness (Raymond James), Jim McCabe (Clearsight Advisors), John Song (Baird) and Shiv Varma (KPMG) – reviewed the nominations. The full list is available here.

Fairfax-based WaveDancer to Acquire Firefly Neuroscience; HQ Will Be in Toronto

Fairfax, Va. – WaveDancer, a publicly traded IT and technology services provider based in Fairfax, announced that it has agreed to acquire Canada-based Firefly Neuroscience, a developer of an AI-powered platform used to assess brain function. WaveDancer said once the merger is completed, the company will be renamed “Firefly Neuroscience” with its corporate headquarters located in Toronto. “The combined company will focus on continuing to develop and commercialize Firefly’s Artificial Intelligence-driven Brain Network Analytics (BNA) platform,” the companies said in a news release about the deal.

Maryland-based SMX Acquires Outside Analytics

Hollywood, Md – SMX, a Maryland-based provider of digital transformation services firm, announced the acquisition of Colorado-based Outside Analytics, a provider of software and technology services to national security agencies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Participating in the space market with the right partner has been an SMX priority for the past few years,” said Peter LaMontagne, the CEO of SMX. “With Outside Analytics, we have found an outstanding nexus of technical capability, mission focus, and client connectivity. We see great opportunity in this fast-growing, priority market.”

Reston-Based TNS Launches AI Labs Initiative

Reston, Va. – Transaction Network Services (TNS), a provider of call analytics and robocall mitigation tools, said it has launched AI Labs, a new initiative designed to help the company’s carrier and enterprise customers tap into the full potential of artificial intelligence technologies. Greg Bohl, the chief data officer of TNS Communications Market, will lead the new unit, which will operate across the company’s global offices, concentrated in the U.S. and India. AI Labs initially will focus on technologies such as AI-powered voice biometrics, predictive AI-powered call analytics, generative AI demonstrations and AI SMS detection.

Tysons-Based Maximus Sells Foreign Employment Operations

Tysons, Va. – Maximus, the Tysons-based government services provider, said it has sold its employment services operations in Italy, Singapore and Canada to Australia’s Angus Knight, a provider of employment, community and education services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Maximus said the combined annual revenue run rate for the three entities was approximately $30 million. Over 250 employees will join Angus Knight. Bruce Caswell, the president and CEO of Maximus, said the move will help his company’s foreign portfolio “deliver consistent profitability and improve alignment with the broader Maximus strategy,”

Tysons-Based Tegna Tabs Media Veteran as Chief Legal Officer

Tysons, Va. – Tegna, the Tysons-based owner of 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, has named media industry veteran Lauren Fisher as its senior vice president and chief legal officer. Fisher most recently served as the chief legal officer and corporate secretary at Vox Media, and earlier was the vice president of business and legal affairs at Hulu, following seven years at AOL. In her new role, Fisher will lead the company’s legal department and oversee all legal functions across a range of areas, including corporate, content creation and distribution, regulatory, ethics and compliance, and litigation.

Briefly Noted:

(McLean, Va.) McLean-based Intelsat, the operator of an integrated satellite and terrestrial network, has named David Broadbent as its president of government solutions. Broadbent most recently served as the president of Raytheon Technologies’ Space Systems business unit.

(Reston, Va.) Reston-based government technology giant CACI International has named Tanya Skeen as its senior vice president of corporate strategy and development. Skeen most recently served as the nation’s acting assistant secretary of defense for acquisition.

(Reston, Va.) Reston-based Electrosoft Services, a provider of cybersecurity and IT services, has named Gavin Greene as its inaugural chief corporate development officer. Greene previously served in senior business development roles with large and small government contractors.