DC weekly roundup: Delivery’s plastic problem; Top tech stories of 2024; Techstars pitch comp

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A wild year in AI, cyber and new beginnings

Political realities never spare DC, of course, but neither do economic ones. Several of these issues and trends left their mark on the region’s metro’s vast tech ecosystem, from AI regulation to cybersecurity to government contracts — and their legal fallout.   

Lead reporter Kaela Roeder broke it all down in this roundup of 2024’s top regional stories, a part of Technical.ly’s upcoming State of the Tech Economy reports. 

 ➡️Find out the DMV’s top 2024 tech stories here

Testing zero-waste food delivery

Anyone who orders takeout with any regularity can expect to see a lot of single-use plastic containers and utensils end up in the trash. Brothers Harrison and Kevin Kay noticed this waste, too, and started a company to address it.

Bethesda-based To Go Green revolves around a platform that lets people order from several restaurants (currently all in Northwest DC) and a reusable container that customers get food in, before returning it back to the restaurant or delivery courier.

Before the Kays reach their goal of direct integration with apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats, Kaela used the platform to order tacos. 

News Incubator: What else to know

• DC-area startups Shanda, BloomCatch, Nadv.Rx and Anapact recently participated in the Techstars Founder Catalyst program’s second cohort showcase. [Technical.ly]

• The end of the year didn’t put a damper on local seven-figure-plus investments and transactions, including a $4.1 billion all-stock defense tech acquisition, funds closing at $450 million and $825 million, and a soil monitoring startup landing a $24 million raise. [Washington Biz Journal]

• Evan Greer, a musician and director of the digital rights group Fight for the Future, was removed from a Georgetown University conference after confronting panelist US Rep. Mace over her anti-trans stances and rhetoric. Mace responded by misgendering Greer. [NBC News]

•  The Justice Department and Google today made closing arguments in a trial to determine if the internet search giant’s dominance of ad tech violates antitrust laws. [Reuters]

• Anonymous sources said DC’s Attorney General’s Office is investigating Greek company Intralot over its contract to develop DC’s poorly-received first sports betting app. [Axios] 

•  How might California handle — or not handle — Trump’s pledge to eliminate AI guardrails? [The Markup] 

• DC’s iconic go-go music gets a spotlight in a new Anacostia museum. [The 51st]

Entrepreneur Expo returns Dec. 4

Get ready, because TEDCO is back with another Entrepreneur Expo, returning after a pandemic break. Next week brings the 10th edition of the popular daylong conference designed to celebrate and boost the Maryland innovation ecosystem.
 
The event features dozens of speakers (both founders and funders) as well as networking opportunities, a keynote lunch and a closing reception. It all goes down right on the water in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Wednesday, Dec. 4 — get your tickets today.
 
➡️ See the full agenda and register to attend

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🗓️ On the Calendar

• Close out and get a synopsis of the region’s 2024 at DC Tech Meetup’s last event of the year on Dec. 4. [Details here]

• Watch founders showcase their companies on Dec. 5 at the Techstars Washington DC demo day. [Details here]

• Cowork with developers at the West End Library on Dec. 7 for DC Code and Coffee. [Details here]

• Network with fellow technologists, get connected to employment and learn new skills at the Techsgiving Summit from Dec. 11 to 14. [Details here]