Potomac Tech Wire - Oct. 1
o DC-Based Airship Raises $4 Million; Emerges from Stealth
o Hanover-Based Dragos Acquires Network Perception
o Chantilly-Based Amentum Completes Merger to Go Public
o BlackSky Technology Raises $46 Million in Public Offering
o McLean-Based Veteran Ventures Capital Invests in Agile Space
o National PTA, Johns Hopkins Release Online Tool For Families
o Briefly Noted: Updata Partners, IonQ
DC-Based Airship Raises $4 Million; Emerges from Stealth
Washington, DC – Airship, a DC-based startup providing software and financial products for HVAC services businesses, said it has emerged from stealth after raising $4 million in a pre-seed round. Alexandria-based QED Investors led the round, which also included participation from Silence, Lorimer Ventures, Four Acres Capital and Twine Ventures. Airship also has announced partnerships with ServiceTitan, the developer of a software platform for trades businesses, and multiple home services platforms. Airship was founded by CEO Craig Battin, formerly the chief growth officer of Earnest, and executive chairman Michael Sachse, previously the CEO of Dandelion Energy and CMO of Opower.
“Installing a furnace or heat pump is hard work, but selling them shouldn’t be,” said Battin. “After their house and their car, HVAC is the third largest purchase for most homeowners, but selling practices often depend on pen and paper. We’re modernizing home services sales with purpose-built software that connects disparate data, digitizes paper forms and anticipates customer needs.
Hanover-Based Dragos Acquires Network Perception
Hanover, Md. – Dragos, the Hanover-based developer of a cybersecurity platform for operational technology environments, said on Tuesday it has acquired Chicago-based Network Perception, the creator of a network visualization platform for operational technology networks. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dragos said the move will bolster its platform with network visibility, as well as compliance and segmentation analysis and reporting capabilities.
Chantilly-Based Amentum Completes Merger to Go Public
Chantilly, Va. – Amentum, a Chantilly-based provider of engineering and technology services to the federal government, said it has gone public by merging with Jacobs Solutions’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses. Amentum began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday under the ticker symbol “AMTM.” The deal was first announced last November. John Heller, the CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combined company, which now has more than 53,000 employees in 80 countries. “Amentum enters the public markets well-positioned for long-term growth, with a healthy financial profile, strong balance sheet, and robust cash generation,” said Heller in a statement.
Herndon-Based BlackSky Technology Raises $46 Million in Public Offering
Herndon, Va. – BlackSky Technology, a Herndon-based provider of satellite services, said it has raised $46 million through an underwritten public offering. The company said it sold 11.5 million shares for $4 each, and will use the proceeds for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. “We expect to use a portion of our net proceeds to gain more control over the parties that impact our Gen-3 supply chain and production operations,” the company wrote in a regulatory filing. BlackSky owns a real-time intelligence system that combines its Spectra tasking and analytics software platform with its low earth orbit satellite constellation.
McLean-Based Veteran Ventures Capital Invests in Agile Space
McLean, Va. – Veteran Ventures Capital, a McLean-based venture capital firm investing in dual-use national security technology businesses led by veteran entrepreneurs, said it has invested an unspecified amount in Colorado-based Agile Space Industries, a developer of in-space chemical propulsion technologies. Agile specializes in developing chemical propulsion systems, including thrusters and rocket engines for satellites and spacecraft. Agile Space said the new funds will help it accelerate product development, increase production capacity and continue to advance its propulsion technology. It marks the first investment from Veteran Ventures Capital's second fund.
National PTA, Johns Hopkins Release Online Tool For Families
Alexandria, Va. The Alexandria-based National PTA said it has teamed with the Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE) at Johns Hopkins University to launch Family Engagement Solutions, a free online tool designed to help strengthen family-school partnerships and improve student outcomes. The tool aims to help educational leaders find programs that contribute to learning and improvement goals and learn which student populations could benefit from them.
Briefly Noted:
(Washington, DC) DC-based Updata Partners, a growth equity investment firm focused on B2B software companies, said it has promoted Dan Moss to partner. Moss joined the firm in 2011 as an associate and most recently served as a principal, leading its $65 million investment in FusionAuth.
(College Park, Md.) College Park-based quantum computing company IonQ said it has won a $54.5 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). Under the deal, the company will develop technology and hardware that helps the AFRL scale, network and deploy quantum systems over the next four years.