Weekly GEOINT Community News

IBM Acquires Red Hat; Vricon Introduces CitySuite; Cesium Launches with $5M Investment; More

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IBM Acquires Red Hat

IBM finalized its procurement of Red Hat July 9. The company paid approximately $34 billion in outstanding Red Hat shares—each share at $190. Through this acquisition, IBM positions itself as a leading hybrid cloud provider while preserving Red Hat’s independence and neutrality.

Vricon Introduces CitySuite

Vricon announced the launch of CitySuite, its newest 3D data product, last week at the Esri User Conference. CitySuite is designed to meet the varying demands of 3D geospatial users with accuracy at a city scale, while at a reasonable price. Vricon 3D geodata is being used by emergency responders, city planners, insurance companies, transportation companies, and more. 

Cesium Launches with $5M Investment

Cesium started as an internal project at Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) in 2011 and is now a newly independent spin off company. Cesium will get its start with a $5 million investment from Falcon Global Capital to fuel the growth of its platform, which enables software developers and data providers to build dynamic, interactive 3D geospatial applications.

Esri Honors Exceptional Use of Geospatial Technology

Esri announced the recipients of its President’s and Enterprise GIS Awards last week during the Esri User Conference in San Diego, Calif. The City of San Diego received the President’s Award for both its traditional and innovative use of GIS in making maps, collecting data, and changing business practices. The Government of the District of Columbia received the Enterprise GIS Award for creating a leading model for governments and businesses throughout the world.

OGC Creates Blockchain Working Group

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) formed the Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies Domain Working Group (DWG). Participants will focus on understanding the importance and requirements for geospatial standardization within these revolutionary and disruptive technologies.

PlanetiQ Secures $18.7M in Series B Funding

PlanetiQ, a high-definition, satellite-based weather forecasting and analytics startup, has secured $18.7 million in Series B funding to launch its satellite constellation. The round, which brings total funding to $23.9 million, was co-led by New Science Ventures and AV8 Ventures, with participation from existing and new investors.

BAE Systems Receives DARPA Funding to Bring ML to SIGINT

BAE Systems received a contract worth up to $4.7 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to integrate machine learning technology into platforms that decipher radio frequency signals. The contract includes hardware delivery along with integration and demonstration support.

Peer Intel

ICEYE announced the appointment of Steve O’Donnell as vice president of Space Missions. Prior to joining ICEYE, O’Donnell worked at Surrey Satellite Technology for more than 15 years. 

Accenture announced Julie Sweet has been appointed CEO. David Rowland, currently interim CEO, has been appointed executive chairman. Marge Magner, currently non-executive chair of the board, will resume her role as lead independent director. These changes are effective Sept. 1.

Kathy J. Warden will now serve as chairman of Northrop Grumman, starting Aug. 1. Warden will also continue to serve as CEO and president of the company.

Bob Work, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, has been appointed to System High’s board of directors. 

Image courtesy of Vricon

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