Vrge Strategies

Vrge client Focused Energy Inc. recently announced it signed a nearly $40 million deal to develop the highest energy lasers for a private fusion company. These new lasers will help develop and determine the laser parameters ultimately needed to commercialize laser fusion. Focused Energy is pursuing direct driver laser fusion, building on the success of the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which achieved net energy gain in 2022. Several of the scientists who worked on that monumental achievement now lead Focused Energy’s scientific team. Read more about the announcement in TechCrunch: https://lnkd.in/gBJMsgGJ

🎉 As we close out a busy and successful year, Vrge extends its congratulations to Silicon Valley Leadership Group for hosting its 2024 Annual Forum at Levi's Stadium! The event brought together an incredible group of leaders from both the public and private sectors to discuss the future of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem. We’re proud to support SVLG as they continue to shape meaningful conversations about the opportunities ahead in 2025 in the Bay Area and beyond. Check out the event spotlight in POLITICO: https://lnkd.in/gMxZfXzZ  #SVLG #Tech #SiliconValley

🥧🦃 This Thanksgiving, the Vrge team is thankful for our incredible clients, partners, and colleagues, and for all the great work we've accomplished together this year. We’re proud of our client, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot—now the largest Thanksgiving race in the country, with more than 20,000 participants expected this year. In a recent interview with NBC Bay Area, SVLG CEO Ahmad Thomas discussed the milestone and the race’s charitable impact. “Participation has translated to more than 10 million meals for those in need for our community,” said Thomas, “When we think of Thanksgiving and when we think of the holiday spirit, there’s no better way to give back.” Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gzjzzZSh Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Vrge!

In a recent Inc. Magazine article, Leo Scott, Chief Innovation Officer at DataTribe, described the venture capital firm’s approach as a “startup foundry,” investing in the most innovative cybersecurity startups with high growth potential. The article explores how DataTribe provides portfolio companies with far more than just funding—from in-house recruiting and business services, to office space and hands-on mentorship.   “A lot of the things that we’re doing are very operational,” said Scott. “We’re not just analyzing companies and then putting money in. We’re hand in hand building the companies.” The Vrge team is proud of DataTribe for their continued leadership in growing the next generation of innovators focused on protecting our nation’s most critical assets. Check out the full article to learn more about how they’re shaping the future of cybersecurity: https://lnkd.in/eY3t5dCN

Election Night has come and gone, but post-election analysis will be all around us in the following weeks and months. The VRGE team has been listening to our friends at The NewDEAL for their takes on how state and local leaders will move forward under a new presidential administration ⬇

This year, election results are expected to come in faster than in 2020 thanks to improved counting processes and fewer mail-in ballots, However, close races in key states may still lead to longer waits. Vrge client Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ), is dedicated to supporting local election officials in large jurisdictions across the country who face significant administrative and logistical challenges in serving hundreds of thousands of voters. Delays in vote counting often stem from a lack of pre-processing, which involves preparing mail ballots before Election Day. While most states have enacted measures allowing for preprocessing, swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have yet to do so. In a recent POLITICO article, Carolina Lopez, Executive Director of PLEJ, shared her perspective: “Not every state is created equal, right? If you’re from Florida, you’re going to get results a little quicker, simply because we have 22 days of pre-processing. If you’re in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, by law, they’re not allowed to start until Election Day. It’s just a quick numbers game.” As the votes are tallied, it is crucial to remain patient and to maintain trust in the process and those who manage it. Read more in POLITICO: https://lnkd.in/g2g4MZ3C

💬 At Vrge, we’re excited to partner with clients who are embracing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across industries like cybersecurity and civic technology. A recent Axios Communicators newsletter highlights the pivotal role of AI in enhancing communication strategies, reflecting a broader trend in AI adoption. As PR professionals, we see how #AI can revolutionize communication. It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about driving meaningful connections. For instance, Accenture boosted internal email open rates by 10x by using AI to customize messages based on employees’ departments, locations, and interests. This example demonstrates the power of AI-driven personalization in boosting engagement among both clients and employees alike. As we navigate this evolving landscape, we’re committed to helping our clients lead the way in the AI revolution, fostering meaningful connections with diverse audiences. Together, we’re not just adapting. We’re shaping the future of communications. #ArtificialIntelligence Read more about how communicators are using AI: https://lnkd.in/e63ARZnW

Vrge client Focused Energy Inc. is building a state-of-the-art laser development facility in the Bay Area, which will also serve as its new U.S. headquarters. With over $175 million raised from private and public investors, the company is pursuing commercial laser fusion to unlock clean, abundant energy. Their approach builds off the groundbreaking research completed at the National Ignition Facility when it achieved net energy gain for the first time in 2022. CEO Scott Mercer sat down with Axios to discuss the significance of this work. "The idea of powering something like San Francisco with three coke cans of what is effectively seawater and a small amount of lithium is quite a powerful change to our energy story," said Mercer. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7HFYJNy

🎉 The Vrge team is thrilled to congratulate our client, Strider Technologies, for being named one of this year’s 10 Top Startups in Washington, D.C. by LinkedIn! Four key factors contributed to the selection of the startups for this list: employee growth; jobseeker interest; member engagement with the company and its employees; and hiring talent from LinkedIn’s 50 Top Large Companies list. This recognition is a testament to Strider’s growth, dedication and commitment to excellence. Their innovative approach to strategic intelligence is transforming today’s complex national security landscape, and we’re proud to support such a visionary team driving change in the strategic intelligence sector. Read more about the selection process and check out the full list: https://lnkd.in/ge4Gx_mN #LinkedInTopStartups #strategicintelligence #washingtondc

Last week, the IRS announced residents of 24 states will have access to Direct File for the upcoming tax season. A number of those states will also work with our client Code for America to enable integrated, free state-filing for eligible residents. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the average American taxpayer spends $270 and 13 hours filing their tax returns every year. Wally Adeyemo, deputy treasury secretary, emphasized the benefits of Direct File, telling reporters, 'We think we’ll be able to save middle class and working class Americans both money and time.' We couldn’t be prouder to work alongside Code for America, a true leader in the civic technology sector. https://lnkd.in/gjWbsgXX