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Custom technology solutions company Ridgeline International creating 162 new jobs in Fairfax County

Gov. Ralph Northam today announced that Ridgeline International, Inc., a technology-based solutions provider for the federal government, commercial and nonprofit sectors, will invest $1.75 million to expand its operation in Fairfax County. The company will increase capacity to develop customized solutions that help its clients implement secure communications and guard against security threats, creating 162 new jobs.

Founded in 2015, Ridgeline was started by men and women who cumulatively have spent more than 50 years contributing to the United States national security mission. The company has a vision to better prepare its clients by delivering integrated technology solutions and providing industry-leading training. Additionally, Ridgeline’s R&D team anticipates the threats of tomorrow by building hardware and software, creating prototypes using 3D printing and engineering, and testing ideas using practical application.

“First and foremost, operating out of Fairfax County has afforded us access to an impressive and ideal talent pool. This is important for any emerging startup, particularly one centered on scarce technical talent,” said Ridgeline International CEO Erik Wittreich. “Furthermore, Fairfax has a thriving economy, professional associations, and an overall rich community experience.”

As of May 1, the company will have a total footprint of 55,000 square feet of space in Tysons, the largest commercial district in Fairfax County, including a 12,000 square-foot demonstration center and R&D hub expected to launch in June.

“I am delighted to see Ridgeline International expanding in Fairfax County and I thank its leaders for their investment here,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “The company is a perfect fit for the mission-oriented IT ecosystem that thrives here and will benefit from the workforce that makes Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area one of the largest hubs for tech talent.”

The FCEDA worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project for Virginia, and will support Ridgeline International’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP). VJIP provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

In 2019, Ridgeline trained more than 1,000 people deployed to more than 50 countries, and managed systems with more than 2,000 end-users. The company has grown from five employees in 2015 to more than 200 today, and over half of the people hired in 2019 were veterans. Ridgeline has won numerous awards, including being ranked one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies by The Financial Times and one of America’s Best Startup Employers by Forbes in 2020.

“Virginia is home to the highest concentration of tech talent in the nation, which has helped fuel the impressive growth of Ridgeline International in our Commonwealth and globally,” Northam said. “We salute Ridgeline International’s veteran-focused mission and innovative spirit and congratulate the company on the success that has led to this expansion in Fairfax County.”

Ridgeline is committed to putting its technological solutions and knowhow to work in support of philanthropic organizations. With the guidance of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee that the company created in 2019, Ridgeline partnered with 100 Black Men of Greater Washington D.C., a nonprofit committed to improving the lives of African-American youth through educational and economic empowerment.

In 2020, Ridgeline donated $20,000, funded partially through employee fundraising, to the organization. This partnership continues in 2021. In addition, Ridgeline established a scholarship fund beginning with the 2020-21 academic year, awarding $5,000 to three outstanding STEM students.

The company’s location in Tysons is in the county’s Providence District. “I welcome Ridgeline International’s growth in Tysons and we are grateful for its investment in the Providence District and Fairfax County,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia A. Palchik (Providence District). “Ridgeline is a great example of the county’s growing tech ecosystem, and I want to congratulate the company’s staff and leadership for their emphasis on corporate social responsibility.”

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains business investment offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

The FCEDA is a member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which promotes and markets Northern Virginia outside the region and conducts activities and events to build the regional business community. Other members of NOVA EDA are the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Arlington County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development.

April 30, 2021

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