DC weekly roundup: A pitch competition’s return; Maryland’s ‘tech tax,’ explained; Summer’s here, and she’s a founder

This week, learn about a Northern Virginia pitch competition’s return after over a decade and the ins and outs of Maryland’s new 3% tax on tech services.

After you read those pieces, scroll down to find more news from throughout the DMV.

📰 News Incubator: What else to know

• American Girl launched a new entrepreneurial doll from nearby Columbia, Maryland. [Technical.ly]

• DC Public Library is hosting a program to help people upskill in AI. It’s aimed at former federal workers and jobseekers. Applications are open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24. [DC Public Library]

• Speaking of, federal actions are taking their toll on the job market. Contractors’ open position postings dramatically fell as a result of DOGE cuts. Many of those firms are headquartered or have offices in the DMV, including Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin. Virginia’s unemployment rates are also sustaining the longest rise since the 2008 financial crisis. [Axios/Axios]

• Amid this jobs slowdown, IT company 22nd Century Technologies is investing $1 million to expand its HQ in Fairfax, and is set to create 880 new jobs in the region. [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

• Are you looking for a job? Reminder that we have a jobs board featuring local opportunities. [Technical.ly]

• The DC government is partnering with the MIT Governance Lab to pilot an AI tool to “better solicit public input to ensure a broad range of perspectives.” [Office of the Chief Technology Officer]

• Agentic research startup Enquire.AI in DC raised a $3 million bridge round. One of those investors became its new president. [Enquire.AI/Business Insider]

• Tech and startup hub Station DC is partnering with the AI-powered security and compliance platform Vanta. [Station DC/Technical.ly]

• Tyto Athene’s acquired company StackArmor is partnering with Google Public Sector and Carahsoft to get its authorized software to federal and defense agencies more efficiently. [Tyto Athene/Technical.ly]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Startup founders: Get tips about the investment process and learn how it works on July 8. [Details here]

• Learn how the DC government is using AI and provide feedback to local officials on July 15. [Details here]

• Autonomous tech meetup LaunchT is hosting its next event on July 16, and will focus on how to secure early-stage funding. [Details here]

• Partner event: On July 16, Baltimore Climate Tech Meetup (involving organizers of DC Climate Week) reconvenes again to celebrate its second anniversary at Union Craft Brewing. [Details here]