DC weekly roundup: Bowser’s bet for the district’s reputation; an acquisition for workplace morale; Vance leaving Alexandria

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All of this sunshine is making me so pumped for spring. What’s your favorite part of the season in the DMV? For me, it’s the cherry blossoms (somewhat basic, I know).

We have a packed newsletter today, so let’s get into it. First, I chatted with a local founder who sold a platform he purchased and remodeled during the height of the pandemic and got his insight on how it felt to be an acquiree this time around. 

I also attended the Venture in the Capital summit at Georgetown in February and tuned into a talk about how DC can establish more of an identity outside of its federal proximity. (Hint: Mayor Bowser believes tech has a lot to do with it.) 

Check them both out, and remember: I’d love to see you at our annual Builders Conference in Philly this May.

News incubator: What to know

• Nearly 500 employees at the National Institute of Standards and Technology may be fired or laid off, as part of the larger cuts to the federal workforce. Many of those staffers are involved in the US AI Safety Institute, which, a year ago, created a consortium of Big Tech companies and local startups to help fulfill former President Biden’s executive order on AI development. [Technical.ly]

• More than 40 businesses won a total of $5 million through the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program, which provides grants to small or mid-sized companies with manufacturing at their core. [Technical.ly]

• Local leaders fear how mass layoffs impact local economies. In Virginia, officials are figuring out how to balance the upcoming budget without as many taxpayer funds and a flux of residents in need of government assistance. [Washington Post]

• Fintech-focused VC firm ResilienceVC debuted its first fund for seed-stage startups. Its total assets are valued at $56 million after launching in 2023. [ResilienceVC/Technial.ly]

• VP JD Vance is leaving the liberal neighborhood of Del Ray in Alexandria and selling his home for $1.7 million. [Axios]

• Trump gave federal agencies an April 14 deadline to submit proposals for alternate office locations outside of DC metro. [BisNow]

• DC is calling for thoughts on what should be in the city’s “comprehensive plan,” dubbed DC 2050. You can also have your say in a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. [DC]

• The district is set to face some major economic challenges as a result of Trump’s actions: His cuts could lead to a $1 billion deficit over the next few years, per DC’s chief financial officer’s revised revenue estimate for upcoming fiscal years. [WJLA/DC]

• Speed cameras in Arlington led to tickets for more than 7,000 drivers since September. [ARL Now]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Hear from startups in the defense, AI and cyber sectors at an event on March 5 hosted by Seed2Table. [Details here]

• Northern Virginia residents: Attend a mixer for technologists and founders on March 5 at AKB Bar.  [Details here]

• Learn all about the potential of smart cities at DC Tech Meetup on March 5. [Details here]

• Johns Hopkins, Halcyon and Georgetown are hosting a mixer on March 19 focused on women founders. [Details here]