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Defense software startup Pryzm just raised $12.2M to scale its AI platform for navigating government contracting.The Arlington-based company uses AI to surface signals in public data — from congressional transcripts to budgets — helping both contractors and federal agencies identify upcoming RFPs and the right partners. Pryzm recently landed its first direct government contract with the Defense Innovation Unit, and already works with defense tech companies like Gecko Robotics and Huntington Ingalls Industries. The seed round was led by Andreessen Horowitz through its American Dynamism fund, with participation from XYZ, Amplify.LA and Forum Ventures. Pryzm plans to use the capital to hire, expand offices and pursue higher federal security clearances. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eZaV3Yxw

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📱 How Much Does Mobile App Development Cost in Florida? Thinking about building a mobile app in Florida? Before you jump into development, understanding the real cost is a critical first step. In our latest blog, we break down mobile app development costs in Florida and explain what actually drives pricing in one of the fastest-growing tech ecosystems in the U.S. 🔍 What you’ll learn: Typical cost ranges for simple, medium, and complex apps Key pricing factors like features, platforms (iOS/Android), UI/UX, and backend Annual maintenance costs you should plan for Practical budgeting tips for startups and growing businesses 💰 Quick snapshot: Simple apps: $8,000 – $16,000 Medium complexity apps: $16,000 – $25,000 Complex apps: $25,000+ Maintenance: ~15–20% of initial development cost per year Whether you’re a startup validating your first idea or an established company scaling digitally, this guide helps you plan smarter, avoid surprises, and make informed investment decisions. 🚀 How HomeNest Software helps We build scalable, secure, and user-friendly mobile apps tailored to real business goals—covering everything from strategy and design to development and long-term support. 📩 Let’s talk if you’re planning a mobile app in Florida (or the U.S. market). 🌐 https://lnkd.in/grz39EDn 📞 +84 898 994 298 (WhatsApp) #MobileAppDevelopment #AppDevelopmentCost #FloridaTech #StartupGrowth #DigitalTransformation #HomeNestSoftware

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US IT & Software Bidding Highlights | Jan-Week 3- 2026 Key signals every Federal + State and Local software & IT contractor should track this week 🟢 GSA OASIS+ Phase II — Continuous On-Ramp Now Open GSA has reopened OASIS+ Phase II with a continuous on-ramp across SB & Unrestricted tracks, covering 13 domains and removing fixed submission windows. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gumsfwwz 📍 Why it matters: OASIS+ now allows firms to enter when ready, making capture timing a competitive advantage.  🟢GSA RFI on IT Hardware & Software Reseller (VAR) Market GSA issued an RFI seeking industry input on Value-Added Resellers (VARs), focusing on pricing transparency, markup justification, and supply-chain value. Responses due Feb 9, 2026. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gumsfwwz 📍 Why it matters: Future IT procurements may require clear proof of reseller value beyond pricing. 🟢SBA 8(a) Program — Policy & Oversight Update The SBA issued formal guidance confirming that race-based presumptions no longer apply to 8(a) eligibility, alongside increased federal oversight. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eASQjiQq 📍 Why it matters: Small-business capture strategies must adjust to stricter eligibility and compliance expectations. State & Local (SLED) IT Opportunity Highlights: 🟢State Medicaid IT Modernization Opportunities States continue to release Medicaid IT and data systems procurements, often funded through federal matching dollars. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/grfBNZpV 📍 Why it matters: Medicaid IT is federally funded, compliance-heavy, and sticky—perfect for long-term, multi-year IT contracts. 🟢Sourcewell (Alaska) — IT Managed Workforce & Staff Augmentation RFP Sourcewell issued a broad IT workforce and staff augmentation solicitation, enabling participation through cooperative purchasing. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gDXpS3jV 📍 Why it matters: One cooperative win can unlock demand from hundreds of states, cities, and school districts without rebidding. 🟢Indiana State — Salesforce Center of Excellence (CoE) RFP Indiana released an RFP for a Salesforce CoE, focused on enterprise governance, low-code/no-code adoption, and platform enablement. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gvJDmwfJ 📍 Why it matters: States are prioritizing platform governance and reuse, creating steady work beyond one-time implementations. If you’re preparing for an upcoming bid and want experienced input, reach out to us on LinkedIn or email bidguidesolutions@gmail.com. #GovernmentContracts #PublicSector #FederalContracting #SLED Salesforce Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories

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Daytona raises $24 million in Series A funding to build what they call “computing infrastructure” for AI agents. Including the latest funding round, Daytona has raised $31 million in funding to date, according to the latest funding data compiled by Startup Funding News. Daytona previously secured $5 million in seed funding in June 2024, led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from 500 Global. #startups #startupfundingnews #venturecapital #startupfunding https://lnkd.in/gwGK2AeP

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FRESH FUNDING ALERT: Space and defense tech company CesiumAstro is building a new HQ and hiring following an investment of nearly $500 million. Read on for more details. https://lnkd.in/gHnA6TwM #BuiltInAustin #AustinTech #NowHiringInAustin

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Major changes to #radonc coding & payment policies take effect January 1 that will directly impact how you code and bill for services and, ultimately, how your practice is reimbursed. ACRO members who were unable to attend our webinar with Ron DiGiaimo & Teri Bedard of RCCS can now access the recording: https://lnkd.in/gnPDhE9s

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Salesforce CMMC 2.0 isn’t just a "future" requirement anymore. It's becoming a present day reality for defense contractors who often ask: “Is it really happening this year?” “Can we wait until the final mandate?” Yes it's happening & no you shouldn't wait. In this clip, Theresa West, Sunil Addepalli, and Kenneth Wright discuss why the timeline for compliance is more urgent than many realize. Primes are already starting to ask for proof of CMMC Level 2 compliance, and once those RFPs hit your desk, the clock is already ticking. 🎙️ Hear more from: Sunil Addepalli, President of Vectr Solutions, Kenneth Wright, VP of Application Development and Theresa West, VP of Business Development on Episode 1 of the Vectr Vibes Podcast: Inside the Defense Digital Stack! Catch the full episode here → https://lnkd.in/efDVBn7R #betterwithvectr #CMMC #FedRAMP #GovCloud #DefenseContracting #CyberSecurity #VectrVibes

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Launching a cannabis business in Minnesota? There are a lot of security and IT components you need to implement to ensure a compliant and successful company. We've put together this 50+ point checklist so you can make sure you've hit all the key requirements, including: • Official Minnesota OCM requirements • Must-have security and IT • Nice-to-have security and IT Download now: https://hubs.la/Q03wy7TB0 #cannabis #cannabisindustry

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Handoff Releases Major Upgrades: AI Project Management + Faster Payments https://ow.ly/Fely50VV0qK Handoff - AI Estimating for Remodelers #MachineLearning #AdversarialAI #SmartAI #AI #EnterpriseAI #GenerativeAI #GenAI #MLAlgorithms #DeepLearning #AIResearch #AIRevolution

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Weekly Data Dive: World Software Developers Day 💻   Howard County has quickly become a regional hub for software publishing and development, outpacing both Maryland and the nation. Here’s how our tech sector is thriving:   📈 2024 Momentum – Software publishing jobs grew 2% year-over-year, while Maryland grew 0.6% and the U.S. declined by -2%. ⏳ Decade of Expansion – Jobs surged 172% over 10 years (from 515 to 1,399), outpacing Maryland’s 70% and the U.S.’s 104%. 💵 High-Wage Careers – Average earnings in Howard County’s software publishing sector climbed 74% over the decade, reaching $267,590 in 2024.   Howard County’s innovation ecosystem gives developers a competitive edge, fueling economic impact and positioning the County as a premier destination for top tech talent and firms.   #HoCoInnovation #SoftwareDevelopment #WeeklyDataDive #TechGrowth #WorldSoftwareDevelopersDay

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“One of the biggest things it has affected is our bedside nurses. It gives them support and the knowledge that there is a second set of eyes on their patients. AI picks up cues for early warning signs for us to be able to intervene quickly,” says Lee Health nursing director Jen Campbell. “We still rely on the clinical judgement and the critical thinking of the bedside nurse; however, we have experienced labor nurses who are watching every single patient that’s on the monitor in the health system. AI has been a tool for us, not our end-all-be-all; each patient still gets individualized care.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gjAdczaj We’re proud to partner with the incredible Lee Health team as they continue to lead the way in safe, effective AI adoption in healthcare. 💙

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Innovation Takes Flight! 🚀 Founders, innovators, and ecosystem leaders gathered this evening at “In Good Company – Aerospace & Defense,” a networking and focus-group event hosted by UpSurge Baltimore, part of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) The event spotlighted BMore Tech Connect and its upcoming Pathways feature — a digital platform helping founders navigate mentorship, resources, and opportunities across Maryland’s growing innovation ecosystem. Potomac24 connected with Robbin Lee, Director of Ecosystem Engagement UpSurge Baltimore at Greater Baltimore Committee and Rimjhim Khandelwal, Program Manager of UpSurge Baltimore, who shared how the Pathways initiative is shaped by founder feedback and built on collaboration. Also with Ken Malone of EarlyCharm, Will Gee of Balti Virtual, Gökhan Erdoğdu and Gurkan Erdogdu of CloudOffix, and Thomas Benn of Flourishing Lives Investment Group, who shared insights on innovation, collaboration, and community growth across Baltimore’s ecosystem. Read more on Potomac24: https://lnkd.in/gnfRzFma

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Federal and aerospace roles come with unique hiring demands. In our latest blog, BlueWave covers what's slowing teams down and how to get ahead of it. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehxMvmTK

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