Archive for the ‘Maryland’ Category
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
 More than half of Federal employees use at least one mobile device at work, CDW-G found, and many are using personal devices to accomplish work-related tasks. Nearly all Federal employees who use a mobile device for work believe the device makes them more productive, and the majority say increased mobility will improve citizen service.“Mobility is the ‘new normal’ for Federal employees”
The report, based on a survey of 414 Federal employees and IT staff, examines current trends in mobility, how agency IT professionals are managing mobile devices, and the steps they are taking to secure Federal data.
Mobility is no longer just a nice-to-have capability, CDW-G found: Nearly all 203 Federal IT professionals (99 percent) said they have deployed mobile devices to their agency workforce. What’s more, 62 percent of those IT professionals said their agencies allow employees to use personal devices for work.
“Mobility is the ‘new normal’ for Federal employees,” said Bob Kirby, vice president of federal government for CDW-G. “Employees increasingly expect to be able to work anywhere and at any time. Agencies responded first by deploying mobile devices, and now they are enabling use of personal devices. And the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend is likely to continue, following the Obama administration’s November 2011 executive order that asked agencies to limit the number of IT devices they issue to employees, including mobile devices, in order to reduce costs.”
Agencies are providing a good security baseline for mobile device use, with the majority establishing mobile data security policies (85 percent) and requiring data security training for mobile device users (84 percent). However, CDW-G found that there is room for agencies to improve security measures in order to protect sensitive data. For example, while 82 percent of IT professionals said their agency deployed encryption for mobile devices, far fewer said their agency protects mobile devices with multi-factor authentication (54 percent), remote lock and wipe (45 percent), and data loss prevention software (39 percent).
“Federal employees – just like those in other industries – access a wide variety of data in the course of their jobs, from financial information to employee and taxpayer records to email and social networking accounts,” Kirby said. “Employees understand the need to keep private information just that – private. But as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, they need a full suite of security tools to help them.”
Mobile device management (MDM) – over-the-air distribution of applications, data and configuration settings for all types of mobile devices – can help agencies deploy and manage security tools across the mobile workforce, while reducing IT management costs. While 71 percent of Federal IT professionals say they include MDM in their security efforts, CDW-G found that most are not deploying a full suite of security tools to agency and personal devices via MDM, revealing an opportunity to improve agencies’ security posture.
CDW-G recommends that agencies:
- Evaluate and/or establish a BYOD policy
- Assess their MDM needs
- Audit their MDM tools to ensure they support the agency’s security goals
- Incorporate the personal devices employees use for work into the agency’s MDM strategy
The CDW-G Federal Mobility Report surveyed 203 Federal IT staff and 211 Federal employees. The margin of error for the total sample is ± 4.8 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
For a copy of the complete CDW-G Federal Mobility Report, please visit http://www.cdwg.com/federalmobility.
Tags: mobile device use by federal employees, smartphones, tablets
Posted in Government/Defense, Hardware, Internet/New Media, Maryland, Potomac, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Virginia, Washington, DC | No Comments »
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
 Speakers headed to the 6th Annual Southeast Venture Conference in Tysons Corner, VA, Feb. 29=March 1 Early, discounted regsitrations for the Southeast Venture Conference at Tysons Corner, VA, Feb. 29-March 1 end Friday, Jan. 20. This year the SEVC features Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix, Chuck Templeton, founder of OpenTable, Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, top venture capital firms and innovative tech startups.
Randolph is a leading Silicon Valley investor in addition to being co-founder and former CEO of Netflix. Randolph and Templeton are just two of the hundreds of leading venture investors and entrepreneurs headed to this year’s event.
VCS representing $50B in capital attending
Venture capital firms at the event represent $50 billion in investment money.
The 6th Annual Southeast Venture Conference also features presentations from more than 60 of the hottest Southeast and Mid-Atlantic high growth tech companies. Companies that presented at the 2011 SEVC had average revenues of $6 million.
Also on the agenda: Paul Lee, partner, Lightbank, Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks.com, Jalak Jobanputra, venture investor, New Venture Partners, Harry Weller, general partner, NEA, Sean Marsh, co-founder, Point Judith Capital, Robert Peterman, Toronto Stock Exchange, and Roland Reynolds, managing director, Industry Ventures.
New this year
New this year is a pre-event networking platform, which will allow attendees to connect ahead of the event, increasing the opportunities to make it even more productive.
The Southeast Venture Conference is the premiere venture forum in the region and has sold out every year. Register here.
Tags: 2012, Ali Byrd, Bloomberg, Brian Rich, Catalyst Ventures, Chuck Templeton, Edison Ventures, Eric Bleeker, Harry Weller, Howstuffworks, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, Jalak Jobanputra, Karin Klein, Lenard Marcus, Lightbank, Luke Burns, Marc Randolph, Mark Gorenberg, Mark Heesen, Marshall Brain, NEA, New Venture Partners, OpenTable, Paul Lee, Point Judith Capital, Robert Peterman, Roland Reynolds, Sean Marsh, SecondMarket, Southeast Venture Conference, The Motley Fool
Posted in entrepreneurship, Events, Maryland, Potomac, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
 David Maimon Computer security experts have long pointed out that human beings are often the weak link allowing cyber attacks to succeed. Now, researchers at the Maryland Cybersecurity Center have reaffirmed that security measures must aim at users, not just attackers. ”Users expose the network to attacks,” one said.
In a unique collaboration, an engineer and a criminologist at the University of Maryland, College Park, are applying criminological concepts and research methods in the study of cybercrime, leading to recommendations for IT managers to use in the prevention of cyber attacks on their networks.
Michel Cukier, associate professor of reliability engineering at the A. James Clark School of Engineering and Institute for Systems Research, and David Maimon, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, are studying cyberattacks from two different angles – that of the user and that of the attacker. Both are members of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center.
Their work is the first look at the relationship between computer-network activity patterns and computer-focused crime trends.
“We believe that criminological insights in the study of cybercrime are important, since they may support the development of concrete security policies that consider not only the technical element of cybercrime but also the human component,” Maimon said.
In one study that focused on the victims of cyberattacks, the researchers analyzed data made available by the university’s Office of Information Technology, which included instances of computer exploits, illegal computer port scans and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
Applying criminological rationale proposed by the “Routine Activities Perspective,” Maimon and Cukier analyzed computer focused crime trends between the years 2007-2009 against the university network.
According to this perspective, which is designed to understand criminal victimization trends, successful criminal incidents are the consequence of the convergence in space and time of motivated offenders, suitable victims, and the absence of capable guardians.
The researchers hypothesized that the campus would be more likely to be cyberattacked during business hours than during down times like after midnight and on weekends. Their study of the campus data confirmed their theories.
“Our analysis demonstrates that computer-focused crimes are more frequent during times of day that computer users are using their networked computers to engage in their daily working and studying routines,” Maimon said.
“Users expose the network to attacks,” Cukier said. Simply by browsing sites on the Web, Internet users make their computers’ IP addresses and ports visible to possible attackers. So, “the users’ behavior does reflect on the entire organization’s security.”
Maimon, a sociologist, takes the study a step further.
“Your computer network’s social composition will determine where your attacks come from,” he said. In a similar vein, “the kinds of places you go influence the types of attacks you get. Our study demonstrates that, indeed, network users are clearly linked to observed network attacks and that efficient security solutions should include the human element.”
Cukier adds, “The study shows that the human aspect needs to be included in security studies, where humans are already referred as the ‘weakest link.’”
Cukier and Maimon said the results of their research point to the following potential solutions:
- Increased education and awareness of the risks associated with computer-assisted and computer-focused crimes among network users could prevent future attacks;
- Further defense strategies should rely on predictions regarding the sources of attacks, based on the network users’ social backgrounds and online routines.
“Michel and David’s research exemplifies the interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center,” noted Michael Hicks, director of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center.
“Resources are not unlimited, so true solutions must consider the motivations of the actors, both attackers and defenders, as well as the technological means to thwart an attack. Michel, an engineer, and David, a criminologist, are considering both sides of this equation, with the potential for game-changing results.”
More Information:
Maryland Cybersecurity Center: www.cyber.umd.edu
Michel Cukier Profile Page: www.enme.umd.edu/facstaff/fac-profiles/cukier.html
David Maimon Profile Page: www.ccjs.umd.edu/faculty/faculty.asp?p=209
Tags: College Park, criminologist studies cybercrime, cybercrime study, David Maimon, Maryland Cybersecurity Center, MD, Michel Cukier, security must focus on users
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, Maryland, Potomac, Security, Studies, surveys, reports, University Tech | Comments Off
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
 The U.S. high-tech industry lost 115,800 net jobs in 2010, for a total of 5.75 million workers. This two percent decline in tech industry employment was less than half of the 249,500 jobs lost in 2009, which followed several years of sustained growth, according to the TechAmerica Foundation’s 14th annual Cyberstates report.
Over the longer term of 2007 to 2010 – the span of the economic downturn – the tech industry fared better than the private sector as a whole, with a four percent decline in employment versus a seven percent decline in the private sector.
“Of the four high-tech sectors highlighted in our report, only software services added jobs in 2010 – 22,800, a one percent gain,” said Robert F. Bennett, chairman of TechAmerica Foundation. “Of the jobs lost, 72,100 were in communications services, 53,600 were in tech manufacturing, and 12,900 were in engineering and tech services. Fortunately, the initial numbers for 2011 look more promising in terms of job growth.”
Job growth occurred in all four tech industry sectors
TechAmerica Foundation also today released a midyear jobs report for 2011 based on a different monthly data set from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This report shows that between January and June 2011, the tech industry added a net 115,000 jobs, a two percent gain, not adjusted for seasonality.
During this time period, job growth occurred in all four technology industry sectors, with the fastest growth in engineering and tech services. A 12 month review of June 2010 in comparison with June 2011 also shows growth in three of the four tech industry sectors, with job losses occurring in communication services.
“Tech jobs were down in 2010, trending with the rest of the economy, but we have fared better than the private sector as a whole over the course of the economic downturn and there are some positive signs for 2011, said Dan Varroney, acting President and CEO of TechAmerica. “We are poised not only to grow our own industry but to support the growth of the economy as a whole. The key to growth is to support what we call the Four T’s: technology, talent, tax, and trade.”
“Technology: We need robust federal investment in basic research to create the scientific base that companies can use to produce new products and innovations.
“Talent: We need to invest in STEM education to provide our children with the foundation in math and science that will prepare them for high paying careers while allowing highly skilled foreign nationals educated at our universities to remain in the United States and join American companies instead of returning to their home countries and competing against us.”
Tax system needs reform
“Tax: We need to reform our tax system to make capital welcome. We are competing against countries that are aggressively implementing tax policies that lower the cost of business. We need comprehensive tax reform that attracts investments in technology and creates a framework that encourages repatriation of profits made by foreign operations of U.S.-based corporations.
“Trade: We need to open new markets to U.S. products and services by finishing the pending Free Trade Agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea and continue to pursue other opportunities to expand trade.”
Eight states added tech jobs in 2010
The state-by-state data reveal that eight states added tech jobs in 2010. The largest gains occurred in Michigan (+2,700), the District of Columbia (+1,400), West Virginia (+400), Utah (+400), and South Carolina (+300). On a percentage basis, the District of Columbia saw the fastest job growth in 2010 at 4.3 percent, albeit at a small base.
For the sixth straight year, Virginia led the nation with the highest concentration of tech workers – 98 of every 1,000 private sector workers in the state were employed in the tech industry. Massachusetts and Colorado ranked second and third, respectively.
Cyberstates 2011 relies on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report provides 2010 national and state-by-state data on high-tech employment, wages, establishments, payroll, wage differential, and employment concentration. All data are the most recent available at the time of publication.
Cyberstates 2011 may be purchased for $150. The 2011 midyear report may be freely downloaded. Both reports can be accessed at: www.techamericafoundation.org/cyberstates.
Tags: CO, DC, M&A, SC, Tech America Cyberstates reports, Tech America Foundation, Utah, VA, W.VA, which states added tech jobs in 2010?
Posted in IT, Maryland, Studies, surveys, reports, TechJobs, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia | Comments Off
Monday, September 26th, 2011
 Traditional job searching, interviewing and hiring is a backwards process that is undergoing a transformation, a certainty that will be demonstrated at the Digital East 2011 conference September 28-29 at the Sheraton Premiere Tysons Corner hotel. It is one of a dozen innovative firms to demonstrate new tech at the conference, which includes dozens of top digital media experts offering the latest tips, techniques and best practices at the event Wednesday and Thursday.
JobOn co-founder and CEO Jody Presti will show how his company’s technology is changing the way that retailers, restaurants and food service companies hire hourly employment.
One of a dozen DEMO firms
JobOn is one of only a dozen selected to present at the conference’s DEMO Showcase, which will be heard by 800-plus attendees including interactive marketers, senior Internet executives, online strategists, web entrepreneurs, bloggers, designers, usability experts and other new media professionals. (See links below for interviews with participants on SEO, Killer Facebook ads, phone apps for low income groups, web analytics tricks, deploying company video successfully, and creating excitement around a brand.)
JobOn combines employment listings with the ability for applicants to submit a recorded video interview. They answer a few common interview questions via a webcam or smart phone, and then click to send the responses to employers with jobs to fill.
For job seekers, this saves the time and cost of going to each employer to fill out a paper application and then scheduling an interview. At the same time, for less than the cost of a classified ad, employers get to pre-screen applicants before calling them for a second, face-to-face interview. JobOn hosts the videos, which are free for job seekers.
Says Presti, “Employers know within a few seconds if someone is a good fit, so we put the interview first to prevent employers from wasting time on paper applications and inappropriate interviews.”
The market for this technology is significant: there are 80 million employees and nine million workplaces that hire for retail, restaurant and other food services. Turnover ranges from 70 to 200 percent each year, which often leads managers to make “panic hires” that don’t last.
For a look at what some of the other digital media experts will be discussing at Digital East see:
Are you missing these web analytics tricks?
The right marketing mix creates search demand
Want to monetize social media? Hook users on achievement
Should app developers put more focus on low income groups?
Get the most from deploying video in a company
Four tips on search engine optimization from AOL’s SEO director
Killer Facebook ads: target more than the bullseye
Create a halo effect of excitement around your brand
Tags: AOL SEO director, app development for lower income groups, deploy company video successfully, Digital East conference, Digital East DEMO showcase, four tips on SEO optimization, Jobson, Jody Presti, Killer Facebook ads target more than the bullseye, Potomac region, tech jobs, thinkgeek.com, Tysons Corner, VA, web analytics tactics
Posted in Events, Internet/New Media, Maryland, Potomac, TechJobs, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
 Rogelio (Ro) Choy - COO, Formspring By Allan Maurer
A few years ago, the idea of paying for virtual goods online with real currency seemed outlandish to some. “It blew people’s minds,” says Rogelio (Ro) Choy, COO of the question & answer social site Formspring. But game companies such as Zynga, creator of Farmville, among other popular Facebook games, are successfully using that model.
Choy is one of dozens of Internet mavens, social media experts, marketing gurus, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs participating in the upcoming Digital East conference in Tysons Corner, VA, Sept. 28-29.
He’ll be discussing how to monetize social media efforts. He’ll address display advertising, brand advertising, performance advertising, social currency, mobile advertising and virtual currency. He’ll discuss each in some detail based on what he’s learned in a career packed with social media experience.
Choy was previously the CEO of Peerpong, a Q&A service using NLP/semantics for identifying interests and knowledge from social streams. Prior to Peerpong, Ro was Chief Revenue Officer for RockYou and responsible for leading all the business efforts for the company and Director at eBay Motors, leading the online parts business. Prior to eBay, Ro co-founded Cima Systems, a leading VOIP software provider for auto dealers.
Advisor on social media
Choy serves as an advisor to a number of social media focused startups including Applifer, Nanigans, Wildfire Interactive, Project Slice, Adnectar, 500 Friends, Guestmob, Facepad, Replybuy, J2Play, GamesthatGive and Groupcard.
We asked Choy to elaborate on using virtual currency to monetize social media.
“It’s a completely different way of imagining how people can make money on the web,” Choy says. It works because making social media platforms such as Facebook an intrinsic part of the game dramatically reduces the cost of acquiring customers.
In 2011, according to eMarketer, Choy notes, “27 percent of all Internet users were social gamers of some sort and 42 percent of all social networkers play games. In all 62 million people are playing social games of some sort. So a lot of people are playing games in a social network and buying certain types of virtual products.
Those virtual products are consumables tied to achievement in the games, not permanent objects, usually, Choy says.
Hooking people on achievement
“It’s the concept of hooking people on achievement within the broader concept of gamification. You get people used to making short goals,” Choy says. Then you present them with a longer, more difficult goal they may wish to attain, but they may lack the time to complete and want to speed up the process. “That’s where you monetize.Once they’re hooked on achievement, then you charge.”
The concept can be applied to anything, content, e-commerce, any experience that’s social in nature and involves friends, Choy adds. “Where people want to surpass time or material constraints, that’s where you monetize. Build achievement into how you think about offering your products or services on social media platforms.”
Choy says there are compelling opportunities in brand and performance advertising, social commerce and mobile marketing as well. Social commerce, for instance, “Is probably the least developed, but potentially the most compelling,” he says. We could tell from our interview that you’ll be hearing practical ideas that will get the gears of your mind cranking.
Tags: Allan Maurer, Cima Systems, Digital East, eBay Motors, Farmville, Formspring, hooked on achievement, monetizing social media, Peerpong, Ro Choy, RockYou, social commerce, social games, Tysons Corner, VA, Zynga
Posted in Facebook, games, Internet/New Media, IT, Mafia Wars, Marketing, Maryland, Mobile, Potomac, social media, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Friday, August 26th, 2011
 Hurricane Irene bearing down on the East Coast With Hurricane Irene bearing down on the East Coast, Time Warner Cable is taking steps to prepare for the impact of the storm. Time Warner Cable has more than 5.9 million residential and business customers from the Carolinas to New England.
Time Warner Cable has Business Recovery Unit trailers in place in key locations along the East Coast so restoration efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to enter potentially impacted areas. The trailers hold everything from fiber, generators and chainsaws to emergency supplies for crews, such as tents, flashlights and water.
“By positioning equipment in strategic areas before the storm, Time Warner Cable is able to quickly respond to those communities that sustain the most damage,” says Mike Munley, president of residential services, Time Warner Cable East. “We know our residential and business customers rely on our digital phone, Internet and cable services to stay connected to information and each other, particularly during severe weather and we are committed to getting customers back on line as soon as it is safe to do so.”
With more than 17,000 employees throughout the East, Time Warner Cable takes the following proactive measures to ensure that we are ready to help customers in the event of severe weather:
• Technicians have extra equipment and fuel on hand
• Generators have been tested and backup power equipment is prepared for deployment
• Additional technicians, maintenance, construction and customer service representatives are scheduled around the clock
• Call center employees up and down the East Coast are ready to answer customer calls, online chat and Tweets from impacted areas
• Work-from-home representatives will take customer calls from their living rooms
• Technicians across the East can be quickly mobilized to provide support to the impacted areas that need the most help. In addition, Time Warner Cable can call in employees from other states to help if needed.
Time Warner Cable’s 24/7 robust automated phone system tells customers if we know about an outage in their area. If the customer hears information about the outage, customers don’t need to take any action. If they don’t hear about the outage impacting their neighborhood, they can report it by telling the system their services are out. They can also follow the steps to talk to a customer service representative. The number for residential customers to call is 1-866-4-TWCNOW.
In addition, outage information is available at www.yourtwc.com/storm. You can also follow the latest developments on Twitter, @TWCCarolinas.
For customers of Time Warner Cable Business Class, the 24/7 support team is available to assist by calling 1-877-892-2220.
Tags: contact Time Warner Cable on Hurricane outage, Hurricane prepartions for business, Irene bears down on East Coast, TWC prepares for Hurricane Irene
Posted in Carolinas, Internet/New Media, Maryland, North Carolina, Potomac, Telecommunications, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
 Elettrica, an electric car with lithium ion battery tech Simply “plugging in” one million electric cars could add $750 million in annual wholesale energy costs unless “smart charging” is adopted, according to a joint study conducted by PJM and Better Place, released by Better Place today.
Similarly, consumers who choose to leverage time-of-use pricing can see some price relief – less than 10 percent annually – however; the wholesale energy business would still feel the impact of ad hoc charging.
Conversely, “smart charging” one million electric cars via a central network operator can cut in half the increase in wholesale energy costs compared to simply plugging in or time-of-use pricing while reducing driving costs by one-fifth.
The joint study conducted by PJM and Better Place analyzed the impact of one million electric cars on the MidAtlantic States’ grid. The study modelled the market and pricing impact of one million electric cars and related charging infrastructure.
The greater Washington – Baltimore area was selected for modelling because it already experiences transmission congestion issues and is a targeted area for electric vehicle adoption.
“Because of the ad hoc nature and unpredictability of when each electric car would be plugged in, the extra $750 million in annual costs would be borne unequally by market participants and consumers,” said Hugh McDermott, Vice President of Utility and Smart Grid Alliances for Better Place.
“With smart charging, a central network operator is able to leverage dynamic wholesale energy prices to optimize the entire fleet’s charging at the lowest possible cost and impact to the grid and the consumer. Our customers and utility partners around the world stand to benefit from smart charging.”
Smart-charging possible via centrally dispatched grid
“Smart charging is possible when there’s real-time coordination through a centrally dispatched grid, which will facilitate prioritization and varying charging rates,” said Chantal Hendrzak, PJM’s General Manager Applied Solutions. “Flexible load benefits of EV charging are captured more easily by RTO, ISO and Utility operations through integration more directly into existing operations and practices.”
Sam Jaffe, Research Manager at IDC Energy Insights, commented: “Most electric vehicle drivers will want to be able to plug in according to their own needs, but unmanaged charging on a large scale will be costly for everyone—the driver, the utility and the grid operator. A centrally managed model can result in significant cost savings and improved grid stability, without impairing the fueling needs of the EV owners.”
“While many of the advantages of electrification of transport are well known, such as the diversity of domestically available fuels, price stability and spare capacity, the Better Place – PJM study reveals that managed charging can optimize the relationship between EVs and the grid, minimizing capital expenses and maximizing grid reliability,” said Robbie Diamond, President and CEO of the Electrification Coalition (EC). “The US should work to maximize these benefits to make EVs a true asset to our economic and national security.”
Full study
Tags: Baltimore, Better Place, DC, electric cars, energy costs, energy grid, IDC Energy Insights, PJM, Sam Jaffe, smart charging, study, wholesale energy costs
Posted in Energy, Maryland, Potomac, Studies, surveys, reports, Washington, DC | 2 Comments »
Monday, June 27th, 2011
 Atlanta-based Digital Assent, provider of the award-winning PatientPad self-service patient check-in and patient education solution, has received $7.5 million in a Series B funding round. The lead investors were Sanan Private Equity, the BIP Opportunities Fund and Buckhead Investment Partners (BIP). Imlay Investments and BLH Venture Partners, who led the Series A funding earlier this year, also contributed.
The PatientPad is a wireless touch-screen solution that automates the patient check-in process and delivers targeted health information and advertising to interested patients while they sit in their healthcare provider’s waiting room, exam room or treatment room. This funding will fuel expansion of the company’s sales, marketing and product development efforts. Since January, the company has sold nearly 1,500 PatientPads to 175 practices in 25 states.
Atlanta’s Renewvia beams in $2.26M for solar tech
Atlanta-based solar power firm Renewvia has beamed in $2.26 million of an equity raise targeted at $6.15 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company raised a bit over $1 million in a round aimed at $2 million in June 2009.
The company develops, installs, owns and manages solar powr plants for commercial property owners and developers.
Regent Education raises $4.5M for college financial aid automation tech
Frederick, MD-based Regent Education has chalked up $4.65 milion of a $5 million equity offering, according to a filing with the SEC. The company previously raised about $1.85 million.
It sells SaaS solutions for colleges and private education institutions to automate financial aid processes. It caters to schools with non-standard or non-term offerings. It processes more than 1 million students a year.
Grotech sells LivingSocial stake for $200 million
PE Hub reports that venture firm Virginia-based Grotech has sold its stake in group local buying firm DC-based LivingSocial for $200 million. PEHub’s Jonathan Marino reports that Grotech did so without using secondary markets, instead making private sales to investors in multiple blocks.
Virginia-based MANDIANT closes strategic investment wiht One Equity Partners
MANDIANT, which sells detection and response solutions and services says it has closed on an equity investment from One Equity Partners. The amount of the financing was not disclosed.
Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., with offices in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, MANDIANT provides products, professional services and education to Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, government agencies, domestic and foreign police departments and leading U.S. law firms. MANDIANT comprises one of the industry’s largest incident response and forensics forces.
“Over recent months the importance of knowing whether your network has been breached has become alarmingly clear. MANDIANT is the global leader in helping major corporate and government entities answer this question and execute an effective response. With the experience and financial resources of MANDIANT’s new investors, we are confident MANDIANT will prosper in the years ahead,” said OEP’s Jody Gessow.
Foursquare locates $50M
Foursquare, the location-based mobile platform and social network that helps members gain points for sharing information about local venues and brands, has raised $50 million in a round led byAndreessen Horowitz with participation from Spark Capital and O’Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures and Union Square Ventures. TechCrunch says the company’s pre-money valuation is $550 million.
Foursquare co-founders Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai met in 2007 while working in the same office space (at different companies) in New York City. Working from Dennis’ kitchen table in New York’s East Village, they began building the first version of foursquare in fall 2008, and launched it at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin, Texas in March 2009.
Foursquare has about 10 million users globally and 3 million check-ins daily. More than 400,000 businesses are using its Merchant Platform. Headquartered in New York, it has about 70 employees.
Tags: Andreessen Horowitz, Atlanta, DC, detection and response solutions, Digital Assent, financings, Foursquare, Frederick, Funded, Grotech, Jody Gessow, LIvingSocial, location-based mobile platform, Mandiant, MD, New York, O'Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures, One Equity Partners, Regent Education, Renewvia, Security, solar energy investments, Spark Capital, Union Square Ventures, venture fundings, Virginia
Posted in Energy, Georgia, Internet/New Media, IT, Maryland, Money, Potomac, Virginia, Washington, DC | Comments Off
Friday, June 24th, 2011
 Moodlerooms Inc., a Baltimore-based e-learning software company, has raised $2.99 million of a targeted $3.39 million offering, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Moodlerooms was a presenting company at TechMedia’s 2011 Southeast Venture Conference in Atlanta in February.
Moodlerooms was founded in 2005 by former teachers Tom Murdock, Sheila Gatling and Gina Russell-Stevens. Its course management system, is based on the open source Moodle system, a free Web application that teachers use to create online learning sites.
Investors include Longworth Venture Partners, Kaplan Ventures, Frank A. Bonsal III, and New Markets Growth Fund.
See also: Moodlerooms chalks up $7.15M
Tags: Baltimore, e-learning software, financing, Frank A. Bonal III, Kaplan Ventures, Longworth Venture Partners, New Markets Growht Fund, SEC filings, SEVC, Southeast Venture Conference, TechMedia
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, Maryland, Money, Potomac | Comments Off
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