2008-07-04T23:47:25Z A blog about businesses in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, written by The Washington Post's Dan Beyers tag:blog.washingtonpost.com,2008:/washbizblog//312 Copyright (c) 2008, WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive 2008-07-04T23:47:25Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-04:/washbizblog/2008/07/tech_post_reaction_to_twin_tec.html

Here's Zach Goldfarb's weekly update on the local technology scene. In last week's Tech Post, I wrote about two technology parties held on the night of June 23. (Video.) I described one party held in McLean by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, a gathering to celebrate the local technology companies generating the most buzz. I observed that many of these technology companies were run by older, more established entrepreneurs and were typical of the Washington...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Zachary Goldfarb 2008-07-03T21:27:52Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-03:/washbizblog/2008/07/roundup_aes_freddie_chindex_an.html

From staff and wire reports *AES bought 49 percent of a wind farm owned by Guohua Energy Investment in China's Inner Mongolia region for $10 million to tap rising demand for renewable power in the world's second-largest energy consumer. The Guohua Hulunbeier Wind Farm, which started commercial operations in September, has a capacity of 49.5 megawatts, AES said. *Freddie Mac is "unlikely" to raise an extra $5.5 billion in capital until after reporting second-quarter earnings...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-03T13:32:40Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-03:/washbizblog/2008/07/early_briefing_another_biotech.html

*Edward M. Rudnic, MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals' chief executive, plans to leave the company he founded in exchange for an outside investment of $100 million. MiddleBrook has been openly searching for a buyer over the past year. In the meantime, it agreed to the investment from Equity Group Investments, founded by Chicago billionaire Sam Zell, in an attempt to save its once-daily amoxicillin treatment for strep throat called Moxatag. The Germantown biotech had previously considered a sale...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-02T20:04:23Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-02:/washbizblog/2008/07/roundup_dominion_carlyle_csc_s.html

From staff and wire reports *Dominion Resources has found another buyer for its West Virginia and Pennsylvania natural gas distribution companies, which account for about 12 percent of its 4 million electric and natural gas utility customer accounts in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Private investor Babcock & Brown Infrastructure Fund North America has agreed to buy Dominion Peoples and Dominion Hope for $910 million, Richmond-based Dominion said. The deal is expected to close in 2009,...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-02T19:01:04Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-02:/washbizblog/2008/07/foreclosures_get_international.html

By Alejandro Lazo Prince William County's high rate of home foreclosures is drawing some international eyes. Piotr Malecki, a 41-year-old Polish photojournalist, concluded a two-week reporting trip in the county yesterday, documenting people who have either lost or are on the brink of losing their homes in Woodbridge, Dumfries, Manassas and other parts of the county. Piotr Malecki (By Alejandro Lazo) The subprime mortgage meltdown, and subsequent credit crisis, has roiled global markets over the...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-02T13:23:16Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-02:/washbizblog/2008/07/early_briefing_78.html

Circuit City has been under pressure from Mark Wattles, who owns a 6.5 percent stake in the company, to put itself on the auction block. (Marv Bondarowicz - Associated Press) *Blockbuster abandoned its efforts to acquire Richmond-based Circuit City less than two months after the electronics retailer reluctantly agreed to open its books to the company. In a statement, Blockbuster cited the completion of its due diligence and market conditions as reasons for dropping...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-01T20:29:04Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-01:/washbizblog/2008/07/roundup_hogan_hartson_emergent.html

From staff and wire reports *District-based law firm Hogan & Hartson said it is opening an office in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, its first in the Middle East. Partner Ray Batla will be managing partner of the new office, the firm's 25th. "We have been increasingly focused on this region and this move further demonstrates our commitment to the Middle East practice and the clients we serve in this part of the...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-02T04:06:28Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-01:/washbizblog/2008/07/heres_tom_heaths_latest_column.html

Here's Tom Heath's latest column on Washington's entrepreneurial set: So which two local business legends braved an economic downturn and an all-but-dead IPO market and took public a boring pump company based in Richmond? And now, with the firm valued around $1.1 billion, own $220 million each in company stock? And can't even count it as their biggest home run? The Rales brothers -- two of the richest guys in Washington -- are still printing...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-01T17:34:55Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-01:/washbizblog/2008/07/zier_heads_to_air_america.html

By Thomas Heath Air America Media, which runs a left-of-center radio network, has named Bennett Zier, a Washington radio industry veteran, as its chief executive. Zier, formerly of Red Zebra Broadcasting, will help expand and grow the Air America brand, which has had difficulty since its launch. The network started programming on March 31, 2004, and features discussion and information programs. Air America Media is probably best known for hosting humorist Al Franken's radio show....Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-07-01T15:07:26Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-07-01:/washbizblog/2008/07/early_briefing_venture_ipos_co.html

* For the first time in 30 years, zero venture-backed companies made initial public offerings during the second quarter, according to a report to be released today by the National Venture Capital Association and Thomson Reuters. "We will have to allocate our capital more carefully," said Hooks Johnston, general partner of Valhalla Partners in Vienna. "It could force us to cut off funding to weaker companies." Several of the firm's portfolio companies have delayed their...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Zachary Goldfarb 2008-06-30T17:00:06Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-06-30:/washbizblog/2008/06/tech_post_washingtons_twoparty.html

On Friday, we wrote about two very different parts of the Washington technology scene -- the annual "Hot Ticket" party hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council and a social media party at a Connecticut Avenue club. Here's a video about the events: iStrategy Labs has video and comments on the social media party on its site....Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Zachary Goldfarb 2008-06-30T16:14:32Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-06-30:/washbizblog/2008/06/up_and_down_beyond_financial_s.html

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Terri Rupar 2008-06-30T14:52:21Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-06-30:/washbizblog/2008/06/early_briefing_77.html

*Since opening her European-style Chez Hareg bakery in the District's Shaw neighborhood last year, Haregewine Messert, an immigrant from Ethiopia, had neglected the backyard lot behind her shop, allowing it to become overrun with weeds. But this week new gravel is on the ground. Patio tables have been arranged. And a fresh coat of paint covers a wooden fence that encloses the area. The reason for the renovation? Twenty thousand soccer fans are expected in...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar 2008-06-27T15:49:03Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-06-27:/washbizblog/2008/06/tech_post_choose_your_own_head.html

Here's Zach Goldfarb's weekly update on the local technology scene. In a way, the timing could not have been more perfect. On Wednesday night, from about six to nine, the local technology community came out in full force -- but in two very different places. On a tony street in McLean, at the home of business leader Bobbie Kilberg, local technology executives gathered for the Northern Virginia Technology Council's "Hot Ticket Party," an annual celebration...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Zachary Goldfarb 2008-06-27T16:38:10Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-06-27:/washbizblog/2008/06/post_200_roadshow_corporate_ex.html

Welcome to a new feature we're calling the Post 200 Roadshow. Each week or so we plan to drop in on the region's biggest companies, nonprofits, employers and law and lobby firms to have a look around and chat up their executives. This week, we stop by the Corporate Executive Board, a publicly traded firm that provides research briefs, seminars and decision-making support to companies and nonprofits around the world. You can check out the...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

Terri Rupar