DC daily roundup: April’s biggest DMV funding stories; VCs head to Hill and Valley Forum; AI lobbying tripled

Wellness startup closes $1.4M raise, and more DC Money Moves

It was a very busy April in the DMV. In the latest Money Moves column, we highlighted fundraising news, small business grant opportunities and awards.

In addition to 2024 RealLIST Startup Keep Company’s $1.4 million round, Prince George’s County is offering grants to small businesses and Google invested in Virginia data centers.

➡️ Read about more Money Moves in my latest report here.

Maryland Film Festival highlights narrative media’s next frontier

This weekend, the Baltimore-based festival celebrates its 25th year with its inaugural CineTech program, a new initiative alongside the typical run of film screenings, panels and receptions.

In the newly created CineTech program, traditional film meets emerging innovations like VR. Q Ragsdale, associate programmer of emerging technology and CineTech’s curator, gave Technical.ly a look at the tech featured at the festival this year, Baltimore reporter Alanah Nichole Davis writes.

➡️ Read more about the festival in Alanah’s report here.

News Incubator: What else to know today

•  Several tech VCs are traveling to DC for the Hill and Valley Forum, a summit focusing on the role of artificial intelligence and national security, as well as the increasing competition between the US and China. [Bloomberg]

•  The number of groups lobbying on AI tripled in 2023. [Time]

• This week, Metro riders will see a more detailed fare gate display screen. [WTOP]

• Here’s what you can expect to learn at the Technical.ly Developers Conference on May 8. [Technical.ly]

🗓️ On the Calendar