Funding frenzy: D.C.-area startups continue to shatter funding records, the Washington Business Journal reported, with three Fairfax County-based companies ranked among the top venture deals in Greater Washington in the second quarter of 2021: Tysons-based Somatus, $60 million; Herndon-based HawkEye 360, $50 million; and Reston-based Percipient.ai, $50 million.

Spurring tech growth: Grants totaling $3.4 million will be awarded to 34 small, technology-focused businesses in the inaugural round of the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF), which launched in 2020 to help advance promising technology through the development process, according to an announcement by Gov. Ralph Northam. The Fairfax County-based recipients are Onclave Networks and Jeeva Informatics Solutions, both in Tysons; AtWork Systems and Rimstorm, both in Herndon; Service Robotics & Technologies in Springfield; and TrueAlgae in Chantilly. “The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority applauds the granting of the inaugural round of the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund awards, including to the 6 Fairfax County-area-based companies,” Fairfax County Economic Development President and CEO Victor Hoskins said. “The CCF awards will provide funding support to spur research commercialization, with the intent of technological development leading to economic growth in Virginia.” Tysons Reporter has more.

Hailing air taxis: NASA selected Tysons-based AURA Network Systems as a partner for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project to continue work to integrate air taxis, cargo delivery aircraft and other new air-vehicle concepts into the national airspace system. “NASA has selected an amazing team of partners to advance the future of aviation, and we are thrilled to be part of that effort,” said AURA President Tamara Casey. “We believe AURA’s unique network provides the reach and capabilities that are well-suited for helping build a transportation system capable of serving previously hard-to-reach urban areas and rural locations.” NASA said its vision for AAM is to “help create safe, sustainable, accessible, and affordable aviation for several uses at the local and regional level.” Intelligent Aerospace flew in the news.

Another pillar in Europe: 3Pillar Global, a Fairfax-based developer of software products for digital businesses, expanded in Europe with the opening a new development center in Moldova. The company said the move expands its footprint in the region following several recent acquisitions. In 2020, the firm acquired Costa Rica-based software development firm Isthmus Software and added a delivery center in Mexico through the acquisition of Arizona-based Tiempo Development. Most recently, it acquired SDE Software Solutions in the Czech Republic. The company’s global workforce now exceeds 1,900 employees across eight countries. Potomac Tech Wire carried the release.

Let the games begin: Reston-based Leidos joined as a top sponsor of the inaugural US Cyber Games. Through its sponsorship, Leidos is helping to equip, train and send the first-ever US Cyber Team to compete in December at the inaugural International Cybersecurity Challenge in Athens, Greece. Reston Now picked up the release.

Intrepid move: Intrepid Solutions and Services, a Herndon-based provider of IT and training services to intelligence agencies, acquired Winchester, Va.-based Darkblade Systems, a provider of intelligence technologies. Intrepid is a portfolio company of Bluestone Investment Partners. Founded in 2010, Darkblade offers various technical offerings in the areas of signals intelligence, electronic warfare and cybersecurity. Potomac Tech Wire carried the release.

Volant-eers for Octo: Reston-based government contractor Octo Consulting Group acquired Volant Associates, a Chantilly-based defense software development company. Volant has contracts supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency and other intelligence community agencies. Founded in 2008, Volant has more than 85 employees. Its leadership will remain with the company and will head a new division within Octo’s Intelligence Community and Air Force Business Unit, Virginia Business reported.

New ASGN-ment: ASGN, a Glen Allen. Md.-based provider of IT and professional services, acquired Reston-based IndraSoft, which provides cybersecurity and digital transformation services to the federal government. ASGN said it plans to integrate the company and its more than 220 employees into its Fairfax-based ECS Missions Solutions business unit. Potomac Tech Wire picked up the release.

Razor-sharp: Tysons-based Avantus Federal, acquired Reston-based software engineering and consulting firm Occam’s Razor Technologies (ORT). Avantus said the acquisition further bolsters its cyber and software offerings for federal government customers. Founded in 2011, ORT develops cyber tools for defense and intelligence clients, from full-stack web applications to embedded microcontrollers. Potomac Tech Wire carried the release.

More office space in store: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the alteration of Boston Properties’ plans for RTC Next (previously called Reston Gateway) to swap retail space and garage parking for office space after holding a public hearing last week. “The big move with this application is to take four stories of above grade structured parking and essentially turn them into office space,” Cooley partner Mark Looney, a legal representative for Boston Properties, told the Board of Supervisors. Reston Now developed this story.

Putting the pieces together in West Falls Church: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved amending the West Falls Church Transit Area Plan last week to clear the way for future development near the Metro station there. The amendment opens up much of the nearby area to mixed-use development, with the aim of creating a residential and retail hub similar to the Mosaic District. “Clearly, near a Metro station like this is where you want to see this type of growth,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. Tysons Reporter has more.

Give my regards to Tysons: Capital One Hall in Tysons announced that its upcoming inaugural season will include a trio of Broadway musicals, alongside a slate of pop concerts and comedy shows. “Capital One Hall is excited to bring an annual Broadway series to Fairfax County and its surrounding communities as part of our inaugural season,” Capital One Hall executive director Dolly Vogt said. “We are confident this region will embrace ‘Broadway in Tysons’ due to Capital One Hall’s location near major roadways and being a few steps from the McLean Metro Station on the Silver Line.” Tysons Reporter has more.