DC weekly roundup: Preventing fatal crashes; Local M&A trends; Healthtech conference comes to the district

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More fatal crashes increase transparency

Traffic deaths in DC hit a 16-year high in 2023 — 52 people died and 363 endured major injuries last year, according to DC’s crash dashboard.

The city created this dashboard as a way to build trust with residents, Vision Zero Director Charlie Willson told me. DC is also boosting its use of automated traffic enforcement cameras, which could be working to reduce speeding per city data. Despite these technological advancements, the city is still missing its goal to eradicate traffic deaths this year.

There have been 33 fatalities in 2024. “We don’t have all the answers, but we do have a plan,” Wilson said.

➡️ Read more about the Vision Zero here.

Behind the busy summer of acquisitions

In Dennis Kelly’s 35-year career, he led the closing of about 20 acquisitions all over the country. Soon after he became its CEO, the Herndon-based IT firm and defense contractor Tyto Athene acquired two companies in less than two months this spring and summer. 

Mergers and acquisitions have not necessarily ramped up this season. Rather, Kelly said he’s seen the merger and acquisition market remain steady for the last five years or so, despite higher interest rates that would typically slow down activity. 

➡️ Learn more about mergers and acquisitions in the region here.

Convening CEOs to build better biotech firms

Most biotech CEOs come from a technical background, so the University of Maryland BioPark set up a group where peer leaders can come together and share best practices on the business side of things, from raising money to managing staff.

The forums are more than simply a knowledge exchange — they can be therapeutic, participants say. Being the leader of a startup comes with unique challenges, so it’s helpful to talk with others facing similar hurdles. “You have access to the skills that people have developed,” one organizer explained, “without having to do it as a trial and error experiential learning for yourself.”

➡️ Find out more about the UM BioPark CEO Roundtable

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News Incubator: What else to know

• The California company CharmHealth is bringing its healthcare IT conference and pitch event to DC. Charmalot, which starts Aug. 23, will bring together patients, physicians and innovative startups in its programming. [Technical.ly]

•  The FBI arrested Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White over the weekend on a bribery charge. White allegedly accepted cash from companies to pressure officials to extend government contracts. How do scandals like this one hinder economic development efforts? Hit reply to let me know. [US Attorney’s Office]

•  After the nonprofit Venture For America shut down earlier in August due to financial concerns, alumni are finding ways to continue building entrepreneurship in smaller tech cities. [Technical.ly]

• A shortage of electric school buses delayed the delivery of the vehicles for Manassas City Public Schools. [WTOP]

• Despite the concept gaining traction internationally, DC is the only local jurisdiction offering paid family leave in the region. Maryland passed a bill in 2022 to establish the policy in 2026, and Virginia does not mandate it. [Axios]

•  A Herndon government cybersecurity firm announced its first acquisition, purchasing London-based Garrison Technology Ltd. [Washington Biz Journal] 

• Time Magazine named a 15-year-old Fairfax County high schooler as its Kid of the Year. Heman Bekele is developing a soap to try to cure skin cancer. [Time]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• DC Startup Week is continuing its summer happy hour series on Aug. 22. [Details here]

• Honor Women’s Equality Day by attending a screening of the documentary “Show Her The Money” on Aug. 26.  [Details here]

• Civic Tech DC is hosting another project night on Aug. 28. [Details here]