OVERVIEW
A Digital Revolution
Led by D.C. Disruptors
Washington, D.C. tech companies are engineering the next digital revolution in one of the hottest East Coast tech hubs.
Tech companies move fast in D.C. and so does the city’s digital infrastructure. The nation’s third-best city for tech, D.C. is at the center of a dense concentration of federally funded R&D. Cutting-edge technologies produced for a range of users hungry for innovation are also a source of potential new business for entrepreneurs. Apple, Facebook and Google also use the D.C. advantage in their favor.
Proximity to policy makers creates pathways for regulatory discussions, and tech companies are plugged in to one of the smartest talent pools in the country. More than 56% of professionals hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Intelligence and inclusion sets the pace, with female founders and developers from diverse backgrounds pushing new technologies forward.
A top-10 U.S. city for tech talent, connectivity and startups, Washington, D.C. is the nexus in a network that powers a global tech industry.
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Securing Our Global Society
In a world of cybersecurity threats, Washington, D.C. is leading the way in both cyber and physical access security. As public and private sector demand for protection increases, D.C. has the assets and infrastructure to deliver.
DC’s security technology sector includes network security and risk management, protection of data and physical assets, security compliance, identity and access management (biometric and authentication tech, to name two) and threat monitoring and detection.
Helping meet demand is a certified and cyber-ready workforce. There are 350% more cyber professionals in Washington, D.C. than the rest of the U.S. combined. In 2015, D.C.’s metro area had nearly 30,000 cybersecurity job postings – outpacing New York and Silicon Valley.
D.C. is also home to the National Cybersecurity Institute, Retail and Hospitality Information and Analysis Center, and the National Cybersecurity Society.
The growth of cybersecurity companies in Washington, D.C. continues to climb, thanks in part to access to regulators and federal and military resources. Some of the cyber and physical access security companies in D.C. include:
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Expertise in Meeting Demand for Big Data
The DC metro area has a number of leading data analytics firms focusing on business intelligence (helping organizations get insights and make more informed decision through analysis of their data. With DC’s strong analytics base, there is opportunity to grow the healthcare IT and consulting base to respond to increasingly complex data needs. The ability to extract insights from data is increasingly crucial to the way federal agencies work; DC’s proximity to government agencies thus puts data analytics firms near a major customer base. Fourteen major federal departments and agencies call the District home and federal spending on big data solution, primarily services, is projected to increase from $1.95 billion in FY16 to $3.55 billion in FY21, an annual growth rate of 13%.3
Notable Employers:
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Professional Services Leading Significant Innovation
Professional Services is one of DC’s largest sectors and many industries within it are experiencing significant innovation. New technologies and approaches are being applied to increase productivity, as well as bring innovative offerings and improved service to clients. The strong base of expertise, talent and infrastructure in professional services positions DC to continue growing these industries through innovation.
District-based companies have significant expertise in law, public sector management and technology consulting, as well as federal government consulting. The federal government also serves as a major potential customer base. Companies with versatile tech-focused spaces could serve as a meeting center for innovative professionals, such as accountants, lawyers, lobbyists and financial managers, developing cross-sector networks and promoting further collaboration.
Notable Employers:
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A Major Designation for Travelers
DC is a major tourism and convention destination with 21.3 million visitors in 2015. Many DC hotels undergo renovations every 5 to 7 years to stay competitive, which offers opportunities for new technology to be tested and implemented. The DC metro area also contains the corporate headquarters for major hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, and Host Hotels, providing access to a major influential customer base.
DC has strong technology capabilities to support the hospitality industries. This includes a highly-educated workforce, as well as a number of startup accelerators including 1776, In3 at Howard University, technology and e-commerce focused GP Labs, Fortify, and Accelerprise. The hospitality industry has also seen non-technology-based innovation, such as the boom in food incubators in the District, or the growth of innovative food business models such as food trucks, which have used a combination of mobility and digital engagement to effectively build their customer base.
Notable Employers:
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Kevin Morgan
Director, Tech Sector Attraction & Retention