Virginia Tech hones in on advanced computing with new institute

Higher education and government contracting continue to prove their dominance in the DMV through new programs, acquisitions and hires. 

Following its opening of a new $1 billion campus in Alexandria, Virginia Tech is launching a new advanced computing program in the region. On the private side, government IT contractor Tyto Athene acquired its fourth company in less than a year and a half. On the other side of the district, a startup founder is working with the State of Maryland to improve police training. 

Keep reading to get the details on those and more regional power moves. Before then, check out some recent data on the most desirable skills for DC region tech positions, including how many job postings request each skill and how much those hired make.

Virginia Tech to open new advanced computing institute 

The university’s new academic and research program will be housed at its recently opened campus in Alexandria. 

Dubbed the Institute for Advanced Computing, the center will cater to graduate students working in artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing. Computer science professor Kirk Cameron has been named the institute’s interim director.

“As Virginia’s land-grant research university, we are connecting the world’s best talent and partners to the commonwealth and bridging the gaps between academia, industry, and government in the greater DC area,” Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said in a press release. 

Virginia Tech opened this new location in Alexandria this February. The university houses its colleges of business and engineering at the new campus while its main one remains in  Blacksburg. 

Tyto Athene lands another acquisition 

After the Reston government contractor acquired three companies in 2024, Tyto Athene purchased yet another tech firm to boost its capabilities and expand its customer base. 

Tyto Athene acquired stackArmor, a Tysons-based cloud and cyber compliance company providing services to federal agencies. 

“By combining the capabilities of Tyto and stackArmor, we’re able to deliver secure and cost-efficient digital infrastructure that accelerates the mission of our government and defense customers through automation,” said Gaurav Pal, principal of stackArmor.

StackArmor is also a part of the US AI Safety Institute Consortium out of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is still in operation even though President Donald Trump rescinded former President Joe Biden’s AI executive order. 

Startup founder to serve on Maryland police committee 

Colin Fraser, founder of the cannabis delivery app Upling and a DC Startup and Tech Week organizer, will serve on the Maryland Police Training and Standards Committee after being appointed by Gov. Wes Moore. 

A returning citizen, Fraser will focus on training for police that reduces harm, he wrote on LinkedIn. 

“As someone who has experienced both sides of the criminal justice system, I bring a unique perspective to police training and standards that I believe is essential for building trust and creating positive change,” Fraser wrote. 

More leadership moves 

• Investment firm and incubator Red Cell Partners tapped John C. Aquilino, a retired admiral, to be an advisor for its national security vertical. 
• Carr Properties landed approval to redevelop an office building on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon into residential housing. 
• Rhizome, which developed AI tools to identify vulnerabilities in energy grids caused by weather, is moving to San Francisco from DC, the Washington Business Journal reported. The startup recently raised a $6.5 million seed round. 
• NobleReach, an organization aiming to bridge the public and private sectors to boost technological prowess in the US, appointed two members to its board: Ralph Semmel, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s director; and Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO at the National Geographic Society. 
• Falls Church government contractor GDIT launched an AI tool that detects fraudulent payments, including healthcare claims and benefits.
• Blink Charging in Bowie is laying off 20% of its workforce as its revenue continues to drop, as additionally reported by the Washington Business Journal. The electric vehicle charging manufacturer relocated from Miami in 2024. 
• IT services company Navteca in Chevy Chase hired Hector Collazo as its new president. 
• ShorePoint, a cybersecurity company based in Herndon, appointed Kevin Cox as its new executive director of cyber operations modernization.
• Cvent, a hospitality and event technology platform, acquired the spatial event design technology Prismm. 
• Core4ce, a data-focused IT company in Arlington, tapped Rick Hubbard to be the firm’s chief scientist. 
• Global satellite communications company Iridium hired Rohit Braggs as its vice president of position, navigation and timing. 
• Maryland’s venture arm TEDCO tapped six new executive officers for its board of directors, including people hailing from the higher education sector and private companies.  
• AI adoption firm Meibel is opening a 3,000-square-foot office in Tysons, also reported by the Washington Business Journal. 
• Local business award grantor Moxie announced its 2025 finalists, including investment firms like K Street Capital and several government contractors.