DC weekly roundup: Smart bins for compost; $10k for female founders; unemployment filings jump 36%

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This week we saw more proof that DC is a global gateway: An accessibility tech founder from London set up a contract with WMATA for many reasons, but partly because it’s “the center of the world.” Read more about Wayable here.

Also related to accessibility tech, we spoke with a Capital One engineer about his unique career journey, which saw him emerge from a car accident with quadriplegia, and then lean into that to shape his work and academic pursuits.

Scroll down for more insight on top tech news in the region.

News incubator: What to know

• There’s increasingly more reliance on minerals like copper and nickel in tech and innovation, whether recognized or not. But the federal government is signing onto its importance — investing in mining as part of the Tech Hubs program. [Technical.ly]

• DC’s Department of Public Works is installing “smart bins” across the city for residents to drop off food scraps to compost. The bins have sensors that monitor its capacity, and are rodent proof. [DPW]

• NearStar Fusion, a Chantilly energy firm and 2024 RealList Startup honoree, announced investments from Virginia Venture Partners and the Houston energy venture firm Ecosphere Ventures. That number is not public, but the startup is now raising a $10 million seed round. [NearStar Fusion]

• The new Capital One Arena is skirting energy efficiency standards that other buildings are required to follow. [Washington City Paper] 

• Agora Initiative, a local organization providing resources to women founders, is calling for applications for its spring showcase for the chance to win $10,000. [Agora Initiative]  

• Unemployment filings jumped 36% in one week as federal workers continue to be laid off. All this is expected to have a critical impact on the local DC economy. [CNBC/51st]

• Software testing startup Antithesis Operations raised $30 million to expand its customer base and double its workforce. [Washington Biz Journal]

• Woodbridge’s Sev1Tech launched a new digital twin program infused with generative AI. [Sev1Tech]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Partner Event: Learn about how tech plays into disaster relief on Feb. 19 at the World Trade Center Institute AGILE Global Innovation Series. [Details here]

• Black Gov Tech is hosting a mixer on Feb. 20 at 12 Stories. [Details here]

• Connect with founders and investors at VC in DC’s next Third Thursdays on Feb. 20, co-hosted by the DC Tech & Venture Coalition. [Details here]

• Georgetown Entrepreneurship is hosting its third annual venture capital summit on Feb. 21. [Details here]

• Hear from startups in the defense, cybersecurity, AI and cyber sectors at an event on March 5 hosted by Seed2Table. [Details here]