Newsletter

DC weekly roundup: Local tech under Trump; IonQ’s $1B bet; TikTok’s back on — for now

Plus, Elon Musk makes Adams Morgan moves and NobleReach's new NSA partnership.

World War II Memorial (Courtesy National Mall NPS)

It’s been a busy week in DC as the region deals with the reality of a second Trump administration. We looked at what his first 100 days could mean for tech workers, specific sectors and more. We also broke down the arguments behind and against the federal ban on TikTok, which got lifted for the time being.

Keep scrolling for Technical.ly’s weekly roundup of top news in the region.

News Incubator: What else to know

• President Trump on Monday rescinded Biden’s executive order focused on regulating artificial intelligence, among about 80 other orders. Do you have any thoughts on how this will impact the industry? Hit reply and let me know. [Axios/Technical.ly]

• Right-wing influencers partied all over DC during the inauguration weekend, including at the Sax, a club a few blocks away from the White House. Tech companies like TikTok and Spotify paid the bills. [Wired]

• Maryland and its main public university are partnering with IonQ on a $1 billion initiative to make the state the “Capital of Quantum.” Plans include a quantum intelligence campus in College Park. [IonQ]

• Innovation nonprofit NobleReach Foundation will work with the NSA to offer STEM education support, certificates and internship programs to “Minority Serving Institutions,” including the HBCUs Howard University and Bowie State University.  [NobleReach Foundation]

• Elon Musk could become the next owner of the Line Hotel in Adams Morgan. He wants to turn the property into a “private social club.” [Eater DC]

• Herndon IT services and consulting firm Crimson Phoenix has acquired Arlington-based geospatial tech company Blackspoke. [Washington Biz Journal]

• Lawmakers from rural and suburban Virginia showed concern about the rapid growth of data centers and proposed measures to regulate the industry at the recent General Assembly session. [Washington Post]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Join Technical.ly on Jan. 22 for the launch of our new podcast, featuring cohosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maija Ehlinger of Hypepotamus and cofounder and CEO Christopher Wink. [Details here]

• Partner Event: HBCUniverse Summit returns to Morgan State on Feb. 8 for a full day of skill-building workshops, panels with industry leaders, a founder expo, career fair and more. Use the discount code “HBCU50” for half-off tickets. [Details here]

• Attend a project show-and-tell hosted by Civic Tech DC on Jan. 22. [Details here]

• Bethesda Green is showcasing entrepreneurs in its incubator program on Jan. 23, with pitches and an exhibition area. [Details here]

• Watch local businesses in the Johns Hopkins Ward Infinity entrepreneurship accelerator take part in a pitch competition on Jan. 27. [Details here]

• DMV Rising is hosting a forum on Feb. 19 all about security, privacy and AI. [Details here]

Engagement

Join our growing Slack community

Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

Donate to the Journalism Fund

Your support powers our independent journalism. Unlike most business-media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational contributions.

Trending

These 10 regions could be most impacted by federal return-to-office mandates

From Belgaum to Baltimore and beyond, this founder leaned on family to build a biotech juggernaut 

Tech-related orders and economic reorganizations hit Maryland. Here’s what they mean. 

Philly vs. Kansas City: Who’s got the stronger tech economy?

Technically Media