DC daily roundup: An athletic tech acquisition; a reflection on summer 2020’s equity promises; data center taxes

Volt Athletics acquires DC’s ZAMA Health

The two athletic-focused tech companies came together in hopes of offering a platform that provides both wellness and physical resources for athletes, Zama founder Brendan Sullivan told me.

Volt Athletics focuses on the physical health side of sports, while ZAMA Health employs educational modules and peer-to-peer connections to provide wellness services and information. “There’s a huge alignment of vision,” Sullivan said.

➡️ Get the details on the acquisition in my latest report.

Edtech CEO on the recent DEI boom and bust

Felix Lloyd, the CEO and cofounder of DC edtech startup Beanstack, feels the pressure of being one of the first or only Black people through a door.

“When you’re in rooms when there’s not a lot of other people like you, I think there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that,” Lloyd told Technical.ly. “And I feel that oftentimes.” He remains optimistic but pragmatic about the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.

➡️ Hear from Lloyd himself in this installation of our “Black in Tech” series. 

News Incubator: What else to know today

•  As data centers continue to pop up, a wave of new laws and restrictions is following. For example, in Virginia’s Prince William County, the tax rate on the equipment inside data centers went up last week by 72%. [Washington Post]

•  A handful of US newspapers owned by investment giant Alden Global Capital are suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement. [Axios]

• The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking public comment on drafts of AI guidance documents. [Dept. of Commerce]

• Throne Labs is putting up high-tech bathrooms across DC. [WTOP]

🗓️ On the Calendar

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