Center for Innovative Technology (CIT)

Writen by Nick Serfass, rvatech/CEO
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The Commonwealth of Virginia recently announced that 34 small technology-focused businesses in Virginia will receive a total of $3.4 million in Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) grants to commercialize research in an array of sectors. Five of those companies hold strong ties to greater Richmond. In case you’re wondering who they are and what they do, we have the answers! ​

Swathi Young
Forbes Councils Member
Forbes Technology Council COUNCIL POST| Membership (fee-based)
Innovation Chief Technology Officer at Integrity Management Services, Inc., where she is leading cutting-edge technology solutions (AI) for clients.

​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.” 

Two technology companies in Tysons have each received $100,000 grants as part of a new state initiative intended to support projects that turn research into commercial products or services.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced yesterday (Monday) that Virginia will award $3.4 million in grants to 34 small, technology-focused businesses for the inaugural round of the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF), which launched in 2020 to help advance promising technology through the development process.

The Tysons-based recipients are the cybersecurity company Onclave Networks, Inc. and Jeeva Informatics Solutions Inc. (JEEVA), which is developing a cloud platform to help medical researchers recruit and work with patients for clinical trials.

The CCF consolidated Virginia’s existing Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund and Virginia Research Investment Fund. Each of the Fiscal Year 2021 recipients received $100,000 and will provide matching funds.

https://www.tysonsreporter.com/2021/07/13/virginia-awards-grants-to-tysons-tech-businesses-for-commercial-research-projects/

​34 small technology-focused businesses to receive grants in inaugural round of Commonwealth Commercialization Fund awards

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced that 34 small technology-focused businesses in Virginia will receive a total of $3.4 million in Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) grants to commercialize research in an array of sectors, including agricultural and environmental technologies, autonomous systems, clean energy, cybersecurity, data analytics, life sciences, and space and satellites. These awards mark the inaugural funding round for CCF, which was developed through the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA).

“Facilitating research breakthroughs and getting new technologies out of the lab and into the hands of consumers is key to driving economic growth and creating jobs in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “I am confident this first round of CCF awards will produce far-reaching benefits and congratulate these innovators and entrepreneurs on their success in developing transformative solutions to improve lives and address some of the most pressing challenges we face.”

CCF was launched in 2020 to promote innovative and collaborative commercialization efforts, consolidating two legacy programs, the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund and the Virginia Research Investment Fund. The Fiscal Year 2021 round offered grants of up to $100,000 to advance early-stage technology projects in strategically important industries through product or service development, market research, intellectual property protection, marketing, pilots, and more. Award recipients will provide 1:1 match funding.

“The new Commonwealth Commercialization Fund signals Virginia’s commitment to increasing commercialization outcomes for small Virginia businesses across many industries,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Early funding is essential in bringing new products and innovations to market and we look forward to watching the awardees’ innovations thrive in the Commonwealth.”
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“We are excited to announce these awards from this first solicitation of CCF,” said Bob Stolle, President of VIPA. “VIPA was created to be a catalyst for expanding innovation and entrepreneurship in Virginia with a clear goal of accelerating scientific, technology-based research and commercialization. These awards are just the beginning of our work with companies, universities, and research institutes to advance research from proof-of-concept to commercialization.”

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

​The Virginia Smart Community Testbed in Stafford County will test emerging technologies in real-world settings. The project is a partnership between the county and the Center for Innovative Technology.

STAFFORD, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 8, 2021--
Mutualink, Inc., in partnership with Stafford County and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology ( CIT ), successfully deployed and is powering the state’s first Smart City deployment, the Virginia Smart Community Testbed. Mutualink’s secure, intelligent network is the digital backbone for Smart Cities connecting community partners, smart infrastructure, and sustainable IoT technologies in real-time so community leaders can work together to improve livability, workability and resilience.

​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. 

Stafford County and the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) Announce Opening of the First Virginia Smart Community Testbed | Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey reports on a new partnership between high-tech companies and Stafford County.

(News4's Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey has been covering this side of the state since joining NBC4 in 1992. She's joined by reporter Drew Wilder.)

Launch celebration included ribbon-cutting ceremony and technology demonstration

​Stafford, VA, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stafford County and the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to formally establish the opening of the new Virginia Smart Community Testbed. The Testbed, located next to the Stafford Government Center at 2143 Jefferson Davis Hwy, is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth. Testbeds are a way of testing new technologies in a real-world setting, a method that drives faster innovation. This Testbed will help propel both Stafford and Virginia to the forefront of smart community adoption across the country and the world.

"Innovation is the key to creating new jobs, driving economic growth, and tackling our biggest challenges," said Governor Ralph Northam. "This testbed will help build Virginia’s first smart community in Stafford County and serve as a living laboratory to pilot smart city technologies. This is exactly the type of public-private partnership we need to make the delivery of goods and services more effective and efficient, reduce our carbon footprint, and improve the health and well-being of our communities, our Commonwealth, and our country."

​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.

Our guide to the most important and innovative leaders in Washington’s digital economy.
WRITTEN BY JOSEPH GUINTO | PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN BULBIN | PUBLISHED ON MAY 3, 2021

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.