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| Business Intelligence for Virginia's Entrepreneurial Economy | ||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue... Expansions & Relocations, Who's Hot, Who's Winning Business, Deals & Partnerships, Innovations, Partnerships & Collaborations, R&D / Intellectual Property, Trends, Commentary, Events Click here to forward to a friend or colleague who might like this newsletter. | ||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Expansions, Relocations & Launches  | |||||||||||||||||
Sponsors:  Legal Services  Investment banking  Email Marketing Experts Partners:  Virginia FREE  National Association of Women Business Owners |
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CyberTrust Expands Hong Kong Operations HERNDON--Cybertrust, an information security specialist, has created a new vice president-general manager position in Hong Kong to oversee expanded Asian sales and professional-services teams. Said Cybertust executive Jeremy Pizzala, who will fill the position: "Customers in both the government and financial services sectors continue to be challenged with compliance, identity fraud, risk management and forensics. Mandates by Hong Kong's HKMA have the banking sector and regulatory bodies focusing on strong authentication solutions; the protection of confidential customer data is a top priority in transaction processing in China and Taiwan." More.  Try Something New!Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Only three hours from Washington, D.C. - closer than the Homestead! Closer than the Greenbrier! Luxury accommodations. Fine dining. Boutique shopping. Golf. Shooting clays. Off-road driving academy. Paintball. Rock climbing. Great for a business getaway, even better for a family escape. Look for our spring specials in an upcoming edition of VA Newswire. For details, contact us at (742) 329-6154 or visit our website here. | ||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot... | |||||||||||||||||
 Searchable Business Database  Virginia Technology Alliance
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Insmed Completes $46 Million Offering RICHMOND--Insmed Incorporated, a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for metabolic diseases and endocrine disorders, has closed the sale of 23 million shares of stock, raising $42.8 million after expenses. The company will use the proceeds for working capital and for general corporate purposes such as the commercial launch and manufacturing of its IPLEX compound, the pursuit of marketing authorization for IPLEX in Europe, and clinical studies. More. Catcher Holdings Raises $6.7 Million HAMILTON--Catcher Holdings, Inc., developer of a portable, ruggedized, wireless, hand-held computer and communications control device for the military, has raised $6.7 million through the placement of common stock and warrants. Proceeds will be used to fund sales, R&D and working capital. More. In Brief... ARLINGTON--Good Harbor Partners Acquisition Corp., formed to merge with or acquire "an entity that has an operating business in the security industry," has sold a series of stock and warrants, generating gross proceeds of more than $50 million. More. Business Intelligence... Tailored to your unique needs Do you know what your competitors are doing - or are you a step behind? Do you know what new technologies and business models might impact your business - or will you be caught napping? Do you know when your prospects are ripe for buying your product or service - or will someone beat you to them? VA Newswire is offering a new product - market intelligence packaged in a newsletter format and customized for you... the information you need, and no more. No white noise, no chaff. Our editors do the work for you. For more information about our business intelligence services, click here. More. | ||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business... | |||||||||||||||||
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Albemarle Selected as Tamiflu Partner RICHMOND--Albemarle Corporation, a chemistry service provider to the life sciences industry, has been named as one of 15 production partners supplying intermediate chemicals for the antiviral Tamiflu, the prescription flu medicine. Roche chose its suppliers on the basis "of their ability to produce substantial quantities of intermediates and finished materials in accordance with Roche's quality standards in a relatively short time frame." More. Alion Snags $48.5 Million Sim Contract MCLEAN--Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a contract valued up to $48.5 million to provide Modeling & Simulation technologies for the U.S. Joint Forces Command. Alion will conduct R&D in individual and small unit infantry training, situational awareness capability, training technology for distributed and joint systems, sensor simulation technology, visual simulation technology, information management for M&S and simulation networking. The majority of the work for the contract will be completed in Suffolk. More. ORBCOMM Snags Big GE Order DULLES--ORBCOMM, a global satellite telecommunications company, has closed an order from GE Equipment Services for 50,000 satellite communicators. GE also is extending its International data communications agreement with ORBCOMM for three more years and is developing additional applications using the ORBCOMM network, including an application for the rail industry Said GE executive Thomas Konditi: "ORBCOMM's data communications capabilities have enabled GE to create very effective solutions for the transportation industry, starting with VeriWise for trailers. With ORBCOMM's technology and global coverage, we will be able to expand beyond trailers to other transportation assets, including railcars and sea containers, and to expand geographically to key supply chain points in Asia, South America and Europe." More. AMERIGROUP Snags Ohio Medicaid Contract VIRGINIA BEACH-AMERIGROUP has been chosen to offer healthcare coverage to low-income Ohio residents in Cincinnati, Dayton and 16 surrounding counties by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The State of Ohio is restructuring its Medicaid program and expanding the availability of managed healthcare coverage to low-income residents throughout the state. More. In Brief... MCLEAN--InDyne, Inc., has awarded a five-year, cost-plus, $200 million contract for Headquarter Information Technology Support Services More. DULLES--GeoEye, the world's largest satellite remote-sensing imaging company, has been awarded a $13 million increase in its contract with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. More. Sharpen Your Focus! It doesn't take a Mensa IQ or a Harvard MBA to succeed in business. Your greatest competitive edge is the ability to sustain your mental focus for hours at a time. If you're not completing projects in a timely manner... if you're zoning out in complicated negotiations... if you're running out of mental energy by the end of the day... you may be falling short of your potential. If you're coping with mental fog - or if you want to see just how sharp and fast your mind can be -- you need to need to attend kSero Centers for the Mind's executive seminar on mental fitness. More. | |||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Deals | |||||||||||||||||
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Landmark, Cox Divvy up Trader Publishing NORFOLK-The co-owners of Trader Publishing Company, Landmark Communications and Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, Inc., have agreed to divide the company. Landmark will assume full ownership of 443 publications and 38 websites serving the real estate, apartment, employment and recreational (motorcycles, boats, RVs) markets. The business will take the name of Dominion Enterprises. Cox will assume control of Trader's 341 automobile-related pubs. Said Trade CEO Conrad M. Hall: "Since Trader was formed on April 1, 1991, we have grown from $150 million in annual sales to $1.3 billion -- a compound growth rate of 15 percent -- and we have become the largest publisher of localized print publications and websites in all the major market segments for classified media in the United States." More. Dominion Unloads PA Two Gas Utilities RICHMOND--Dominion will sell its natural gas local distribution utilities in Pennsylvania and West Virginia to Equitable Resources, of Pittsburgh, Pa., for $970 million plus adjustments. The two utilities, which serve nearly 475,000 homes and businesses, account for 12 percent of Dominion's electric and natural gas customers. Proceeds from the sale will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt reduction. Said CEO Thomas F. Farrell II: "We continually review our assets to determine if they fit strategically and will provide the commensurate return on invested capital. ... We determined that these businesses might be of greater value to another owner." More. GE Fanuc Pays $215 Million for N.M. Firm CHARLOTTESVILLE--GE Fanuc Embedded Systems, has agreed to pay $215 million to acquire SBS Technologies, of Albuquerque, N.M., a designer of open architecture-embedded computer products that enable original equipment manufacturers to serve commercial, communication and government customers. Said CEO Maryrose Sylvester: "SBS Technologies is more than an acquisition for GE Fanuc Embedded Systems, it is a great strategic fit. The combination of the two companies will provide depth and breadth in crucial product areas primed for growth." More. Deltek Purchases English Software Firm HERNDON--Deltek, a developer of enterprise management software for project-focused organizations, has acquired Welcom, an English provider of earned value management (EVM) and project portfolio management (PPM) solutions. The acquisition will allow Deltek to provide important EVM capabilities to its government contracting customer base and deliver comprehensive PPM solutions for project-focused organizations worldwide. More. Lee Technologies Corrals M.C. Koenig FAIRFAX--Lee Technologies, Inc., a provider of physical infrastructure solutions, has acquired Houston-based M.C. Koenig & Associates, Inc., one of the Southwest's top power protection suppliers. The acquisition strengthens Lee's ability to support clients across the United States. Lee Technologies has commissioned critical power equipment for more than four million square feet of mission-critical space and currently maintains critical equipment that supports over two million square feet throughout the U.S. More. IceWEB Acquires PatriotNet HERNDON--IceWEB, Inc., a provider of IT services, has acquired PatriotNet of Fairfax in a deal that will bring in 3,500 e-mail users and 300 Web-hosting customers. Said President G. Anthony Munno: "PatriotNet is a natural progression for IceWEB. It gives our sales and marketing team the ability to offer everything from Internet connectivity to wireless email from a single source at one low price. The IceWEB vision has been to create a smart enterprise suite that allows small businesses to emulate large IT infrastructure at an extremely affordable price." More. In Brief... MCLEAN--Highland Hospitality Corporation, a lodging real estate investment trust, has acquired the 585-suite Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort & Lookout Mountain Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., for a purchase price of $85 million, plus customary closing costs. More. | |||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | |||||||||||||||||
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AOL, Warner Bros. Launch Broadband TV Network DULLES-America Online is teaming with Warner Bros. to launch In2TV, the first broadband television network, on AOL.com. The network will offer a collection of free, on-demand TV shows on the Web, including Warner Bros. classics from the past 40 years such as Welcome Back, Kotter, Chico & The Man, Alice, Growing Pains, Sisters, Kung Fu, Lois & Clark, along with interactive features and viral videos that enable audiences to experience and interact with television programming in an entirely new way. The In2TV service lets fans watch hundreds of episodes from dozens of shows every month, along with quizzes, puzzles, photo galleries and polls tied to the various shows. More. Velocity Micro Introduces World's Fastest Gaming PC RICHMOND-Velocity Micro, a manufacturer of ultra-performance PCs, has introduced the world's fastest gaming PC, the Velocity Micro Raptor Signature Edition. The $5,995 computer, powered by Quad SLI technology from NVIDIA, harnesses the power of 48 gigapixels per second of graphics performance and 6 teraflops of computer power. Said President Randy Copeland: "[This] launch continues Velocity Micro's tradition of first-to-market leadership with new technologies." Copeland added. "We're very excited to be the first in the world to offer this elite gaming PC to hard core gaming fans." More. Music Producers, Artists Buy and Sell Beats, Instrumental Tracks Online GLEN ALLEN--TheBeatTrader.com has launched a Website that allows music producers to upload and market their original productions to a worldwide audience of artists who can search for, audition, rate and purchase compositions from every genre of music. The site was created in response to the growing trend of amateur producers creating and marketing elaborate tracks. Buyers can listen to a 60-second preview of any track for free before purchasing it. Said founder John Parks: "In the past, producers have typically marketed their productions on foot to artists who live in their neighborhoods. We're basically trying to help producers market their material to a global audience in an efficient manner." More. Sprint, AP Introduce SNAPfeed for Journalists RESTON-Sprint has partnered with the Associated Press news service to help reporters file broadcast-quality breaking news video over the nationwide Sprint Power Vision Network using SNAPfeed, a store-and-forward video application developed by the AP. Journalists equipped with SNAPfeed, a laptop, compatible camera and a Sprint Mobile Broadband Connection Card can send 60 seconds of breaking news quality video back to their broadcast newsroom in less than ten minutes on the Sprint Power Vision Network. More. ExxonMobil Upgrades Speedpass Payment System FAIRFAX--ExxonMobil has upgraded its Speedpass electronic payment system, deploying hand-held computer technology to enable customers to open a Speedpass account and use their Speedpass fob within two minutes. Speedpass electronic payment allows customers to make gasoline and convenience-store purchases with the wave of a special key ring fob. More than six million Speedpass devices have been issued in the U.S. since they were introduced in 1997. More. RCN Unveils Fast Modem HERNDON--RCN Corporation, a provider of high-speed cable, Internet and phone services, has launched its MegaModem Mach 20 service in Falls Church and Woburn, Mass., delivering data at up to 20Mbps downstream and up to 2Mbps upstream - more than twice as fast as competitors like Comcast and Time Warner. Said CETO Tim Dunne: "To put this speed in perspective, it takes you more than two hours to watch the movie, Million Dollar Baby, but with 20 Mbps speed you can download the video in 8 minutes and 40 seconds." More. In Brief... CHANTILLY--InfinityQS International has launched eSPC, a solution that delivers hosted Statistical Process Control applications using a shared, secure database, to enable enterprise-wide and supply chain quality control. More. CHARLOTTESVILLE--ADI Engineering, Inc. , a provider of reference platforms based on Intel network processors, has released two new Wi-Fi products: Pronghorn Outdoor, a weatherproof, outdoor access point, and Pronghorn SBC, a low-cost Wi-Fi router board. More. | |||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Partnerships & Collaborations | |||||||||||||||||
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BearingPoint, Archon Partner to Pursue DMV Opportunities MCLEAN--BearingPoint, Inc., a management and technology consulting firm, is partnering with Colorado-based Archon Technologies, Inc., to provide IT solutions for vehicle registration, drivers licensing and revenue management services to state, provincial, territorial and local motor vehicle departments in the United States and Canada. Said BearingPoint executive Gary Miglicco: "By aligning our business processes and information systems with Archon, BearingPoint will be better able to provide states with cost effective solutions to comply with the federally-mandated Real ID Act." More. ObjectVideo Partners with Puerto Rican Firm RESTON--ObjectVideo, a developer of intelligent video products, is partnering with Avant Technologies, a Puerto Rican designer and manufacturer of networked video solutions for wide-area video surveillance. Avant serves banking, ports, airports, cities, governments, and industrial clients in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Said Avant President Luis Ramirez: "Video analytics have become a must-have versus a nice-to-have in the markets we serve." More. | |||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | |||||||||||||||||
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NanoSonic Makes Nano-Manufacturing Breakthrough BLACKSBURG--As hundreds of companies worldwide pursue the multi-million dollar electronic textile (e-textile) marketplace, NanoSonic, Inc., has developed a low-cost technique for manufacturing electrically conductive textiles, incorporating its trademarked material Metal Rubber as an integral component. NanoSonic materials are lighter and more elastic than conventional alternatives. Says President Rick Claus: "We can spin gold and silver into flexible fabrics and they are electrically conductive and nearly transparent." | |||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | |||||||||||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
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 Housing price appreciation.. Year-over-year house price growth in both Virginia and the U.S. accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2005 after slowing in the third quarter. For the year ending with the fourth quarter, house prices advanced by 19.7 percent in the state, compared to 13.0 percent in the nation. During the same period, house prices in Washington, DC MSA grew by 23.7 percent, the fastest of the state metro areas. Winchester MSA ( 23.5 percent) and Hampton Roads MSA ( 22.8 percent) experienced rapid home price appreciation over that period as well. For details on regional economic conditions across Virginia, including Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads, as well as a list of Chmura Economics & Analytics (CEA) products and services, click here, or call (804) 649-1107. In Brief... RICHMOND-Technology-related spending by the Commonwealth of Virginia is expected to exceed $4.5 billion in fiscal years 2007 and 2008, according to a report by Research and Markets. More. | ||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Other News | |||||||||||||||||
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KSI Services to Develop Transit-Friendly Communities VIENNA--In an effort to reduce congestion and offer Washington metropolitan residents an alternative to driving on traffic-choked roadways, KSI Services Inc. is developing eight new communities near multi-modal public transportation including rail and bus routes. The Vienna firm, a developer of mixed-use communities, selected locations offering access to major commuter hubs. Among other initiatives designed to help homeowners reduce the cost of car ownership, KSI will offer Flexcar car-sharing services. Said executive John Chappealear: "Traffic congestion is quickly becoming a major social and political issue, and there are no simple solutions to the problem. We are offering residents an alternative to switching on the ignition and battling other drivers during the morning and afternoon rush hours, by offering homeowners easy access to public transportation." More. FIOS Build-Out Plan to Reach 300,000 by Year End FALLS CHURCH--Verizon will extend its fiber-optic network to 25 of its local service areas in Virginia by the end of 2006, making more than 300,000 households capable of receiving the company's FiOS TV service. Since Verizon began building its fiber network in Virginia, the company has placed more than 17.3 million feet of fiber optics and created more than 600 new full-time positions to build and support the network and FiOS services in the state. More. Lockheed Martin to Join Environmental Pilot Program MANASSAS--Lockheed Martin's Manassas VA facility been invited to participate in an Environmental Protection Agency-funded Facility Reporting Project pilot program. The program, organized by a network of investment funds, environmental organizations and other public interest groups, aims to develop a model reporting standard for communicating environmental compliance and performance for industrial facilities. Lockheed Martin was selected due to its strong record of environmental stewardship. More. Hispanic Firms Surge in Fairfax FAIRFAX COUNTY--The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that 7,302 Hispanic-owned businesses operated in Fairfax County in 2002, a 47.2 percent increase since 1997 when the last count was taken - a significantly larger increase than the national average. The County accounts for about 38.5 percent of all Hispanic-owned businesses in Virginia and 25.2 percent of those in the Washington metropolitan area. More. | |||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | |||||||||||||||||
 Fix VDOT First Tim Kaine wants to raise taxes by $600 per Virginia family to fund transportation -- even though the Virginia Department of Transportation is broken and leaderless. More. |
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Liberate Mass Transit As an alternative to funding mega-sized road and rail projects, Virginia should give entrepreneurs the freedom to devise creative shared-ridership solutions. Imagine an alternate universe where Virginia politicians expended as much energy devising ways to encourage entrepreneurial, free-market solutions to transportation problems as they did to raising your taxes. Imagine a private company running a bus every morning from, say, Fredericksburg to Crystal City. Instead of 12 rows of seats, imagine there were 10, creating enough room for passengers to flip down a tray, airline style, where they could comfortably rest their laptops. Imagine there were electric sockets where they could plug in so their batteries wouldn't run out. And imagine that the bus, using technology that exists today, provided broadband Internet access so passengers could download e-mail, check the news and do everything else they normally did in their first hour at the office. More. | ||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | |||||||||||||||||
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VA Newswire is a free, email-based weekly newsletter that covers news and events from around the state. If you have any news, events, job openings, or office space availability that you would like to include in next week's newswire, email jabacon@baconsrebellion.com. Click here for a free subscription. Click here to unsubscribe. | ||||||||||||||||||
