ACG National Capital
This week, business news in the National Capital region was host to some exciting acquisition speculation, news about a local startup company hitting the national airwaves and interesting opinions about one of the nation’s hottest technology sectors.
We found out who will be swimming with the sharks on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’, discussed IBM’s acquisition of Truven, looked at why experts are expecting a merger between Marriott and Starwood, and featured an interview with the CEO of Blue Ridge Networks about the explosive growth happening in the cybersecurity marketplace.
Here are highlights of the latest regional business news and trends from the D.C. area:
How unfilled needs are driving massive investment and growth in cybersecurity – an interview with John Higginbotham of Blue Ridge Networks
One of the many cybersecurity companies making waves in the National Capital region is Blue Ridge Networks, a provider of breach prevention, endpoint protection and information security solutions. We recently sat down with CEO, John Higginbotham, to learn more about Blue Ridge Networks, its solutions and the trends driving interest and growth in the cybersecurity market.
Read More: https://acgcapitalblog.com/acg-national-capital-news/how-unfilled-needs-are-driving-massive-investment-and-growth-in-cybersecurity-an-interview-with-john-higginbotham-of-blue-ridge-networks/
Dueling earnings reports from Marriott, Starwood have analysts thinking merger
Marriott International Inc. reduced its guidance for the year on a key financial metric as it works feverishly to pull off the largest hospitality merger ever. That merger is the $12.2 billion deal with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, of course, and was the frequent topic of Marriott’s earnings call Thursday to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2015.
Read More: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2016/02/dueling-earnings-reports-from-marriott-starwood.html
IBM Buys Truven, Adding to Growing Trove of Patient Data at Watson Health
IBM is looking to enhance the growth of its Watson Health business with the $2.6 billion purchase of Truven Health Analytics, which has data on the cost and treatment of more than 200 million patients. The planned acquisition of Truven, announced Thursday morning, is the fourth company IBM has purchased since it created the Watson Health unit last April, bringing the total spent to more than $4 billion.
Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/technology/ibm-buys-truven-adding-to-growing-trove-of-patient-data-at-watson-health.html?ref=business&_r=0
ManTech CEO Pedersen on M&A strategy: ‘We will not buy sales’
After Reston-based Leidos Holdings Inc. combined with a government IT spinoff of Lockheed Martin Corp. to create a $10 billion government services giant, all eyes became affixed on the lower end of the market — Fairfax-based ManTech International Corp. in particular.
Read More: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/fedbiz_daily/2016/02/mantech-ceo-pedersen-on-m-a-strategy-we-will-not.html
Local startup to swim with the sharks on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’
The founders of Rockville-based Nexercise Inc. will be among the entrepreneurs pitching investor “sharks” Friday night on the newest episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Business partners Ben Young, CEO, and Greg Coleman, president and chief operating officer, are seeking an investment for Sworkit, an interactive fitness app that offers video workouts and customizable routines.
Read More: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/morning_call/2016/02/d-c-startup-to-swim-with-the-sharks-on-abc-s-shark.html