Biz Talk

This article is sponsored by Arlington Economic Development.

On Thursday, Arlington Economic Development (AED) was pleased to celebrate the latest recipients of Catalyst Grants from the Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF).

After a thorough review process, four Arlington-based startups were awarded $175,000 in grants. These companies have shown exceptional promise in innovation and potential for significant impact in their respective fields.

The Catalyst Grants from this round represent yet another significant investment in the growing tech-entrepreneur ecosystem of Arlington, further underscoring AED and the County’s commitment to supporting local innovation and fostering economic resilience. Funds awarded through the Catalyst Grant program can be used for any business operation expenses incurred by the startup. They may include adding employees, purchasing equipment, leasing office space, hiring consultants or advisors, etc.

“We are thrilled to support these pioneering companies in their journey to scale and innovate,” said Michael Stiefvater, Director, Business Investment Group. “Their commitment to groundbreaking solutions drives innovation within their industries and propels the economic growth and development of the entire Arlington community. By fostering such innovative enterprises, we are building a robust and resilient ecosystem that benefits all residents and businesses in Arlington.”

AED announced the inaugural group of Catalyst grantees in February. The four grantees from the second round are:

• Data Parrot, AI company, enhances businesses’ understanding of customer data. Their platform transforms raw CRM (Customer Relationship Management) data into actionable insights, driving value through dynamic dashboards and strategic recommendations.
• KnoNap is a health tech company dedicated to combating drink spiking with their innovative beverage drug test kits, drink covers and educational resources. Their comprehensive approach fosters better health and safety outcomes.
• Pryze App, an HR-tech company, aims to increase productivity and retention among deskless workers. Their app incentivizes phone-free time and positive actions at work through automation and gamification.
• SportAI democratizes analytics for fantasy sports and sports betting. Using neural network AI, their mobile app provides in-depth insights to help users make informed decisions without facilitating gambling.

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Written by Adriana Bonilla, Assistant Director for Business Development, Arlington Economic Development.

In an exciting move to foster innovation and collaboration, Arlington Economic Development’s (AED) Business Investment Group and BizLaunch, in partnership with the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) have officially launched #LaTech, a groundbreaking community dedicated to Latino tech entrepreneurs.

The initiative aims to create a dynamic and vibrant community where talented tech professionals from the Latino community can share knowledge, explore partnerships and connect with other key players in the industry. #LaTech is open to Latino tech entrepreneurs from any location, with activities anchored in Arlington, one of the top tech hubs in the United States.

The vision for #LaTech is to cultivate a space where Latino entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute significantly to Arlington’s economic growth and beyond. The community is designed to attract top tech talent from Latin communities and backgrounds globally, providing a supportive environment for collaboration and impactful partnerships.

This initiative is part of Arlington’s broader strategy to enhance the tech landscape in Arlington and create opportunities for diverse groups to engage and succeed — the latter of which is in direct alignment with Arlington’s RACE and overarching equity initiatives.

The launch event, held on May 30, convened an initial group of Latino tech entrepreneurs. The discussion focused on the needs, successes and opportunities within the tech space and highlighted key challenges and areas for growth.

Given its proximity to Washington, D.C., the presence of tech giants and high-growth companies of all sizes and its diverse international community, Arlington is uniquely positioned as a strategic location for this initiative. Arlington’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and fostering sustainable business models makes it an ideal home for #LaTech. Participants at the launch event emphasized the importance of networking, access to investor capital and mentorship as crucial factors for their success. The vibrant tech ecosystem in Arlington will undoubtedly provide fertile ground for these entrepreneurs to flourish.

As part of the ongoing efforts to build this community, #LaTech is hosting its next event on July 25, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Unstuck Labs and Pryze, the event will take place at 1700 N. Moore Street, 16th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209. Register today to get more information as it is announced.

As #LaTech moves forward, the community is set to become a beacon for Latino tech entrepreneurs in the United States, offering a platform for growth, collaboration and success.

Ready to be part of this innovative community and/or drive your tech venture to new heights?

Contact AED’s Business Investment Group today to learn more about how you can get involved with #LaTech and explore the myriads of opportunities available. Your journey toward tech success and impactful partnerships begins here!

This article was written by Exelaration and sponsored by Arlington Economic Development.

On April 23, 2024, Sydney Hanley received a phone call from her hometown of Arlington that interrupted breakfast at her sister’s Boston apartment. Little did she know that this call marked the end of her long job search. Five years earlier, her journey began with one suggestive question: “Why not try a coding class?”

She tried that and much, much more.

The Arlington Talent Program (ATP)

The Arlington Talent Program was established to address a crucial issue: the reluctance of employers to hire inexperienced candidates for high-demand tech jobs. Partnering with engineering firm Exelaration, Arlington Economic Development created a program to connect tech-savvy residents with paid trainee positions to build real software. This hands-on experience is essential for launching IT careers.

Now in its fourth semester, the ATP has trained and employed 25 residents. “We’ve enrolled an Uber driver, a grocery stock worker, a flight attendant and a veteran, just to name a few,” says Exelaration CEO Steve Cooper. “Clients want employees with real job experience, and Arlington is listening.”

Cybersecurity Focus

This semester, ATP is focusing on cybersecurity. “Arlington businesses need to secure their data, and not all have the infrastructure or knowledge,” says Cooper. The program will offer free cybersecurity checkups to Arlington and Alexandria businesses through July, providing graduates with valuable experience.

Sydney’s Journey

Sydney Hanley’s story illustrates the program’s impact. In 2019, she began her freshman year at the University of San Francisco without a tech background. Following her mom’s advice, she took a computer science class and excelled, becoming a teaching assistant the next semester. However, her path was not smooth. The pandemic disrupted her studies, and her job offer was rescinded just before graduation.

Back in her hometown of Arlington and unemployed, Sydney applied for numerous jobs with little success. Last fall, she discovered an ATP job opening through an ARLnow article and was accepted into the spring 2024 semester. After completing the program, she interviewed for a position at a small education technology company.

“The tech interview matched one of our Exelaration projects almost exactly,” she recalls. Her experience from ATP prepared her well, and she received a job offer six days later.

“I started May 6!” Sydney excitedly shared with the ATP team recently, crediting the program for providing the crucial job experience she needed. “The Arlington Talent Program adds that final critical ingredient — real job experience — to someone who already has everything else,” says Cooper.

Get Involved

Businesses interested in a free cybersecurity checkup can email [email protected]. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.