As data center energy demands surge, Texas taps DC firm's micronuclear tech
It's been a busy start to the year in the DMV, especially considering the chaos coming down from the federal government. Through it all, the private sector stayed active.
Local firms announced new leadership, headquarters changes and various projects over the last few months. Some of the news has national and international dimensions well beyond the DC region. For instance, Last Energy, a company building micronuclear technology to boost clean energy supplies, is tackling the energy demand from data centers by rolling out 30 microreactors in Haskell County, Texas. Also, College Park-based IonQ acquired one company in Switzerland and partnered with another in South Korea.
Keep reading to get the details on those and more regional power moves.
DC nuclear energy firm lands Texas data center project
Last Energy's deal comes after the firm raised a $40 million Series B in August. The company also has commercial agreements to deploy 80 of its microreactors across Europe, with half of its tech supporting data centers.,
'Texas is the energy capital of America, and we are working to be [number one] in advanced nuclear power,' said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a press release. 'Last Energy's microreactor project in Haskell County will help fulfill the state's growing data center demand. Texas must become a national leader in advanced nuclear energy. By working together with industry leaders like Last Energy, we will usher in a nuclear power renaissance in the United States.'
Texas isn't the only state struggling with the energy demands from data centers. In Virginia, home to 'Data Center Alley,' developers are finding ways to cool data centers more efficiently as energy consumption prices increase for consumers.
Last Energy has built two prototypes with help from local manufacturers in Texas. It expects its first load of fuel in September 2026. The company is also looking to expand in Utah, per the press release.
'Texas is America's undisputed energy leader, but skyrocketing population growth and data center development is forcing policymakers, customers and energy providers to embrace new technologies,' said Bret Kugelmass, founder and CEO of Last Energy. 'Nuclear power is the most effective way to meet Texas' demand, but our solution — plug-and-play microreactors, designed for scalability and siting flexibility — is the best way to meet it quickly.'
IonQ acquires global company and taps new leader
The publicly-traded quantum computing company acquired another quantum company in Switzerland.
Payment for control of ID Quantique will be issued in common stock, per a press release. IonQ will absorb ID Quantique's team and products once the deal closes. The transaction will bring IonQ's number of patents to nearly 900.
The University of Maryland spinout also entered a strategic partnership with South Korean telecommunications provider SK Telecom, which deployed the largest quantum network in South Korea.
'This strategic transaction and the expertise of ID Quantique furthers IonQ's role as a global leader in next generation secure communications,' said Peter Chapman, IonQ's executive chair. 'And once finalized, we expect that our intended strategic partnership with SK Telecom, one of the most powerful technology companies in Asia, will significantly enhance the distribution of IonQ quantum technology, leading to many commercial and technical opportunities.'
Besides these international moves, IonQ also made a significant internal one by appointing Niccolo de Masi as its new president and CEO. De Masi most recently led the dMY Squared Technology Group, whose special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) dMY Technology Group III took IonQ public through a SPAC merger in 2021. The executive served on the company's board since that year, too.
De Masi also held C-suite positions at publicly traded companies like Monstermob Group in the United Kingdom, Resideo Technologies in Scottsdale and Glu Mobile in San Francisco.
'I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead IonQ during this pivotal moment for quantum computing,' said de Masi in a press release. 'As a longtime evangelist of the quantum industry, I believe wholeheartedly in IonQ's mission and technology.'
Local chamber of commerce hires president
Lifelong DC resident Chinyere Hubbard began her tenure in February as president of the DC Chamber of Commerce, per an emailed press release.
Hubbard previously worked close to local economic development entities, most recently as senior vice president at Events DC. She also served as the Greater Washington Partnership's chief marketing and strategic communications officer.
She succeeds Angela Franco, who left the position in August.
'I am honored and excited to lead the DC Chamber of Commerce at this pivotal time,' Hubbard said in a press release. 'We will ensure a thriving business environment for all by working diligently and purposefully to forge relationships between our DC business community, the government and the international community.'
More leadership moves:
IT contractor BigBear.ai moved its headquarters to McLean from Columbia, Maryland, the Washington Business Journal (WBJ) reported.
Google is opening a retail store in Georgetown. It's one of the search giant's only brick-and-mortar stores, WTOP reported.
Ashburn-based SIM card startup RiPSIM Technologies hired Brenda Boehm to be its CEO. She's worked at Fortune 100 companies like Dell and Cisco, plus startups including Starent Networks and Tango Networks.
Bethesda's embattled iLearningEngines laid off all of its employees in February, according to the WBJ. This development comes after the company faced accusations of falsifying revenue and filed for bankruptcy.
Data and cyber contractor Core4ce tapped Doug Small, a retired commander of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, to join its board of advisors.
The Maryland Bankers Association hired Tisha Edwards to be its next president and CEO. Edwards will leave her current post in Gov. Wes Moore's cabinet in April, Maryland Matters reported.
Consulting firms Crowell Global Advisors and Optima Strategies formed a 'strategic alliance' to improve their services for businesses navigating regulations and economies in Southeast Asia.
McLean government consulting firm Deep Water Point and Associates CEO Brooke Smith was appointed to the Professional Services Council's board of directors. The organization is a trade association for government contractors.
FiscalNote is divesting two of its portfolio companies, Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly Intelligence, to focus more on its policy products, per the WBJ.
Georgetown Business Improvement District appointed Deborah Kerson Bilek as its new CEO.
World Wide Technology Public Sector, a DC branch of the AI company, hired Danny Burns as chief technology advisor for its work with intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense.
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