DC weekly roundup: Technical.ly’s top 2024 technologists; local goods for NATO attendees; Google’s search monopoly

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Meet the DMV’s leading technologists

The latest annual RealLIST Engineers features 15 local leaders who, on top of their technological prowess, make a difference through contributions like hosting a meetup group or educating the next generation. 

This list is put together with the help of readers’ nominations (you can submit names all year round, as you’ll see in the article), as well as our own research and past reporting. You’ll see honors for people from district government, major game design studios and many of the other signature employers that make DC metro tech what it is.

➡️ Meet the newest 15 RealLIST Engineers here.

NATO Summit loops in DMV founders

During the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s massive convening in DC last month, Nicole Jones of Sterling-based Pop’s Praiseworthy Popcorn made a local mark.

Her popcorn was featured in the gift bags handed out to those attending the multinational meetup, and was the largest order she’s fulfilled to date. She and  Mackenzie Loy, the founder of the online marketplace Homemade in DC, worked together to coordinate it. 

Completing this order gave Jones the confidence and proof that orders at this scale are possible. 

“When people think about starting a business, a lot of people think about tech or think about something really important,” she said. “But, I happen to think it’s important to be able to stop and enjoy the moment and enjoy where you are, and what you’re doing and what you’re eating. My hope, at least, is that my popcorn allows you to do that.”

➡️ Read more about Pop’s Praiseworthy Popcorn and Homemade in DC here

Where to get work done in the DMV

If you’re a remote worker looking to change it up with your work environment or a startup founder looking for community, there are options. The DMV has no shortage of coworking and creator spaces for you to consider. Several are designed specifically for desk work and meetings — including Mindspace.

The region presents several nontraditional and niche spaces, too, including women-focused options and places where fitness and coworking come together, offering yoga and rock climbing.

➡️ From single desk rentals to private offices

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News Incubator: What else to know

• A new arcade is coming to DC’s Union Market, complete with virtual racing spaces and simulators. [Washingtonian]

• Local small business owners are fed up over the looming payroll tax increase, a part of the DC Council’s $21 billion fiscal year 2025 budget. [Washington Informer]

• In a win for regulators, Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that Google violated antitrust laws and maintained a monopoly in online search. [New York Times]

• The Tysons-based software company Appian laid off 150 employees and realigned some resources to push to profitability. [Washington Biz Journal]

•  The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued TikTok, claiming it had violated a children’s privacy law. [Washington Post]

• In more DOJ news, officials at the department said they will work with social media companies and provide “actionable intelligence” about efforts by foreign governments to influence elections this year. [Associated Press] 

• The DC real estate firm Carr Properties could lose its headquarters downtown due to ongoing debt and a loan that’s been in special servicing. [BisNow]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• DC Tech Meetup is hosting an evening of networking and demos all about companies building vertical SaaS on Aug. 7. [Details here]

• Meet and collaborate with other developers at a DC Code and Coffee coworking session on Aug. 18. [Details here]

• The startup founders club Crowdfuel is hosting a networking event with a fireside chat on Aug. 21. [Details here]