Weekly Business News Digest

Game-changer: Tysons-based Qubrid AI and California-based Supermicro are working together on an advanced line of AI server appliances that cut-down the time for enterprises to get started and scale with AI, according to a Qubrid AI announcement. Powered by Supermicro’s leading GPU sever hardware, NVIDIA GPUs and Qubrid AI’s AI Controller Software, this on-prem solution empowers businesses to rapidly develop, fine-tune, and deploy Generative AI and traditional deep learning models with ease and efficiency. “Collaborating with Supermicro allows us to deliver state-of-the-art AI infrastructure that is both accessible and effective,” said Pranay Prakash, CEO at Qubrid AI. “These plug-and-play appliances are a game-changer for companies looking to leverage AI technology quickly and efficiently.”

A commanding share of local company participation: U.S. Space Command is expanding its commercial intelligence-sharing initiative, adding five new companies to a program that helps coordinate responses to space threats and satellite anomalies, according to SpaceNews. The Commercial Integration Cell (CIC), established in 2015, will now include Herndon-based Blacksky; Kratos, which has Chantilly and Arlington locations; LeoLabs, which has offices in Chantilly; Iceye and Telesat. Herndon-based radio-frequency satellite data provider Hawkeye 360 and Reston-based space tracking specialist Exoanalytic Solutions are expected to join in the coming weeks. Longstanding CIC members include Eutelsat America, Hughes Network Systems, Intelsat General Communications (Tysons), Iridium Communications (Tysons), Maxar Technologies (offices in Chantilly and Herndon); SES Government Solutions (Tysons), SpaceX, Viasat, and XTAR.

A pragmatic move: Tysons-based Integral Federal, a company that offers national security services, has completed the acquisition of Reston-based information technology services provider Pragmatics. The company said the strategic move aims to enhance its capability to provide customers with mission-critical operations support. With the acquisition, Integral Federal will integrate the company’s Agile development, DevSecOps in the cloud and other digital services with its own capabilities. The company will also leverage Pragmatics’ 40-year experience in building relationships with federal agencies to further its growth in the government sector, especially in the national security space, reported GovConWire.

They grow up so fast: Tysons is transforming so fast that the Fairfax County government has created an online tool for people to track their growth, wrote Jared Wenzelburger in a Fairfax County Times. According to the Tysons Tracker, an interactive platform providing data, analysis, and updates about new community developments, over a dozen mixed-use developments have been approved across Tysons, according to the article, which provides details of the currently approved projects.

Resilient digital infrastructure: Tysons-based Intelsat has been awarded the prestigious Africa Sustainable Futures award delivered by the Financial Times and the World Bank Group’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), in the “Digital Infrastructure” category, SatelliteProme reported. This recognition highlights Intelsat’s recent innovative satellite broadband project in Burkina Faso, which has significantly enhanced the country’s telecommunications resilience. “We are honored to receive this award,” said Rhys Morgan, regional vice president, EMEA, Media and Networks at Intelsat. “This recognition underscores our commitment to providing innovative and reliable connectivity solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. We look forward to continuing our work in Burkina Faso and other regions in need of resilient digital infrastructure.”

Taking calculated risks: Warren Thompson, CEO of Reston-based Thompson Hospitality, is profiled in The Darden Report, published by The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, on how taking calculated risks enabled him to build a $1 billion business enterprise. During an interview about his business philosophies, entrepreneurship and leadership, “a theme emerged again and again of taking aggressive-but-smart chances that lead to bigger successes and more opportunities,” according to the article. Thompson Hospitality owns more than 70 restaurants, provides contract food-service and facilities management services to higher education and corporate partners. A Darden alumnus (MBA ’83), Thompson is president and chairman of the board.

Beacon of hope: Herndon-based Beacon announced the 14 grand-prize winners of its annual Beacon of Hope program on Veteran’s Day, an initiative aimed at honoring Veterans throughout North America for their service by supporting them with a brand-new roof, free of charge. Together with local roofing companies, Beacon will deliver and facilitate 14 roof replacements for Veteran and Gold Star Family homes, and community buildings serving Veterans.  Now in its sixth year, the program is open to all military Veterans in the U.S. and Canada Since launching the program in 2018, Beacon has installed over 50 roofs that helped our Veterans gain confidence and pride in their homes. “At Beacon, we’re committed to giving back, especially to the Veterans who have bravely served our country,” said Jamie Samide, VP of Marketing, Beacon. Click here to read more.

Notable Contracts

General Dynamics Information Technology (Falls Church area) secured a $5.57 billion U.S. Air Force contract to support mission partner environment operations. GovConWire

Northrop Grumman (Falls Church area) received $540.9 million in funding from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to support the company’s development of the Glide Phase Interceptor, a technology to detect and intercept hypersonic weapons. GovConWire