Center for Innovative Technology (CIT)

​CIT GAP Funds, the direct investment program of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) Investment Division, is proud to announce that four CIT GAP Funds portfolio companies were included on the 2021 Inc. 5000 List: HUNGRY, Urgently, Ostendio, and ID.me. The annual guide highlights the 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, which are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2017 to 2020. To qualify for the 2021 list, companies must have generated revenue by March 31, 2017 and achieved $2 million in revenue in 2020.
 
“We are extremely proud to have four portfolio companies listed on this year’s Inc. 5000.,” said Tom Weithman, Managing Director of CIT GAP Funds. “There is an incredible amount of new technology coming out of Virginia every year, impacting a variety of industries. The innovative spirit and deep experience of these entrepreneurs are just two of the many factors we look for in an early stage company. These qualities have undoubtedly played a role in the rapid growth of HUNGRY, Urgently, Ostendio, and ID.me.”

Raymond Magee created BloomCatch to help plant parents find and identify the greenery around them. The startup looks to add a personal touch.

"BloomCatch, which is available for iOS and Android users, just received $50,000 in funding from the Center for Innovative Technology’s (CIT) GAP Fund, which makes seed-stage investments in local startups. "

​Rapidly growing customer-centric data tool helps contractors find, track and compete for the right business opportunities

​​CIT would like to acknowledge and congratulate the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) awardees & the CIT GAP Funds portfolio companies who made the DCINNO 50 on Fire List 2021

"It’s time, once again, to single out the Greater Washington companies, investors and players who are setting its startup ecosystem ablaze.
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That’s right. We’re unveiling the 50 winners of the Washington Business Journal and DC Inno Fire Awards of 2021. The honorees range from nascent to mature, across industry and geography within the DMV..."

​SCOUT is building the first in-space observation systems to safeguard orbital infrastructure

​Richmond, Va. – July 14, 2021 – The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that two CIT GAP Funds portfolio companies were included on the Summer 2021 Forbes Next 1000 list: Linebird and AnswersNow. Forbes Next 1000, a list highlighting entrepreneurs and pre-revenue startups in every region across America with less than $10 million in revenue or funding, is published in classes of 250 standouts throughout the year. Screened by top business minds in a competitive judging process, entrepreneurs featured on the Next 1000 list are redefining what it means to build and run a business. 
 
“We are extremely proud to have two founders of CIT GAP Funds portfolio companies listed in the 2021 Forbes Next 1000 list. Linebird’s Michael Berio and AnswersNow’s Jeff Beck are an example of resilience and American entrepreneurship during unprecedented times,” said Tom Weithman, Managing Director, CIT GAP Funds. “The Next 1000 list shines a light on many bold leaders from all different industries, and we are thrilled to see Linebird and AnswersNow recognized for their incredible work.” 

Funding will be used to expand services offerings to financial institutions wanting to deliver a superior customer experience and further invest in their communities​

​Givio Inc, creators of a mobile giving and fundraising platform designed to meet the needs of givers, today opened their first round of seed funding with the closing of an initial investment from the Center for Innovative Technology’s CIT GAP Funds. This funding follows the advancement of Givio’s Minimal Viable Product (MVP) to a feature-rich, charitable giving and fundraising solution, already integrated with multiple service providers in the charitable giving technology and financial services space. Givio plans to use this funding to expand services offerings from nonprofits, schools and companies for workplace giving, to financial institutions wanting to deliver a superior customer experience and further invest in their communities.

​June 17, 2021 - By John Furner, CEO and President, Walmart U.S.
In our ongoing effort to get customers the items they want, and fast, we know it will take a well-coordinated network of delivery solutions that span the streets, sidewalks and skies. Some of these solutions are still emerging, but they’re already showing encouraging results.

Last year, we partnered with DroneUp, a nationwide drone services provider, to launch trial deliveries of at-home COVID-19 self-collection kits. The trial demonstrated we could offer customers delivery in minutes versus hours. Now, after safely completing hundreds of drone deliveries from Walmart stores, we’re making an investment in DroneUp to continue our work toward developing a scalable last-mile delivery solution.

February 07, 2019 | CIT GAP Funds Invests in DroneUp to Revolutionize Commercial Drone Pilot Services | ‘Mission Match’ platform tracks pilot certification, experience and guarantees qualified pilots are alerted for matching missions
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Richmond, VA, June 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that CIT GAP Funds, the direct investment program of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) Investment Division, has invested in Arlington, Va.-based OxiWear. Provider of a wearable earpiece that monitors blood oxygen levels, OxiWear’s device alerts users when it falls below safe thresholds, allowing help to be called in time for treatment. OxiWear will use this investment to support growth, conduct further research, and expand relationships with more hospitals and pharmacies.

​Ear-wearable device continuously monitors blood oxygen levels and alerts users if it falls below safe thresholds, preventing delays in assistance

​Richmond, Va. – June 11, 2021 – The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that CIT GAP Funds Managing Director, Tom Weithman, and Senior Investment Director, Jen O’Daniel, will present at the upcoming PitchPlus Clinic presented by RAMP, the regional accelerator and mentoring program. The clinic, taking place Tuesday, June 15 at 9:00am EST, will feature a panel of experts providing venture capital education to help participating startups prepare for early-stage investment opportunities.
 
As the direct investment program of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) Investment Division, CIT GAP Funds is a key part of the Commonwealth's strategy to leverage venture capital for Virginia-based startups. Weithman and O’Daniel will join speakers Greg Feldmann, President of Skyline Capital Strategies, LLC, and Fourd Kemper, Principal at Woods Rogers, PLC. Registration is free and open to the public.
 
              When: Tuesday, June 11, 2021 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
 
              Where: Zoom – Click here to register

​Startup app re-imagines job platforms, instantly connecting qualified talent with employers in retail and restaurant industries

"Now that the Richmond ecosystem has been talking about the challenges facing Black and other underrepresented founders for more than a year, what’s changed? And — perhaps more importantly — what work remains?"

"Funding: The Crucial Piece"

"...The Center for Innovative Technology, or CIT, launched the Virginia Founders Fund in 2018 and has since directed more than $3 million toward founder who are women, BIPOC and veterans, as well as those located outside of Northern Virginia. 

There are aspirational, strategic and programmatic goals throughout the Fiscal Year 2022 operating plan that are dedicated to furthering our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts - especially in light of the national conversation about systematic racism,” spokeswoman Sara Poole

Last fall, CIT Gap Funds hosted a roundtable event to bring together BIPOC founders to discuss barriers to forming and funding minority-led startups, a discussion that is expected to yield changes going forward..."

An $800,000 investment led by the Center for Innovative Technology is giving Richmond startup RoundlyX the runway it needs to expand operations internationally.

Richmond-based RoundlyX, co-founded in 2017 by Andrew Elliott and Will Trible, closed the round in late April. In addition to CIT's investment, Elliott said the round had significant participation from Allied Venture Partners and other fintech CEOs from across the country."

“Andrew, Will, and the entire RoundlyX team have done an outstanding job over the last year preparing for widespread adoption of digital assets. The simplicity of their app allows anyone to invest in Bitcoin, and given widespread interest in cryptocurrencies as an asset class, more users will be flocking towards this service,” said Alex Euler, Investment Director, CIT GAP Funds. “With their recent expansion into global markets, RoundlyX is set up for a very successful 2021. We look forward to following their continued success." - Quote from original press release March, 2021

​Richmond, Va. – June 8, 2021 – The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that CIT GAP Funds, the direct investment program of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA) Investment Division, has invested in Roanoke, Va.-based Acomhal. The biotech research company is dedicated to developing therapeutic approaches to prevent tumor recurrence. Acomhal will use this investment to continue enhancing their product as well as expanding their research development. 

​Richmond, Va. – May 24, 2021 – The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), the nonprofit operations arm of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA), today announced that CIT GAP Funds has added two new Investment Associates to its team: Dustin Dunbar and Anthony Obi Jr. As Investment Associates, Dunbar, and Obi will support CIT GAP Funds activity including deal sourcing and due diligence activities for candidate CIT investments in high-growth technology, life science, and clean energy tech companies.

Richmond, VA, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that CIT GAP Funds has invested in Hampton, Va.-based Advanced Aircraft Company (AAC), an aeronautical engineering and aircraft manufacturing company that produces vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for military and commercial markets. AAC’s long endurance drones can double revenue generated per pilot for commercial UAS operators. The company will use this investment to action on its go-to-market plan and increase aircraft production rate.

Green Dollars  
By 2025, TemperPack wants to be the world’s largest sustainable packaging company. Four years ago, a $12 million investment from SJF Venture marked a turning point to helping the company reach that goal, Powers said.  

More early stage funding can help the next clean tech startups take off, he said.  
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That’s where organizations like the Center for Innovative Technology are playing a role. CIT GAP Funds has made equity investments in 16 early-stage clean tech companies since 2007, investing $50,000 to $500,000 in each company over time, said Marco Rubin, Senior Investment Director...

​Startup empowers commercial real estate stakeholders to organize, secure, analyze, and share commercial floor plans all in one place

​Richmond, VA, April 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced that CIT GAP Funds has invested in Virginia-based Floorwire, developer of a platform that provides commercial owners with control of their architectural data. By transforming inefficient and time-consuming workflows around storing and organizing data, Floorwire’s cloud-based solution addresses the needs of commercial landlords, architects and brokers. The startup will use this investment to enhance its technology and support its continued growth.

“Not everyone has the right tools to view CAD files or interact with architectural plans and data. With an ability to connect across a diverse set of asset management platforms and enable automation that’s not currently available on the market, Floorwire provides tools anywhere, anytime,” said Jen O’Daniel, Investment Director, CIT GAP Funds. “Floorwire is quickly growing and ready to make a splash in the commercial real estate industry. We look forward to following their journey as they continue to grow.”

​The cybersecurity firm took note of national VC trends as it sought funding to quicken product development and grow its engineering team. It plans to grow by 25 to 30% in the next year.