BuySafe. Grotech venture capitalist Frank Adams says BuySafe of Alexandria is changing the way online buyers and sellers use sites like eBay by giving them a better guarantee of transactions. CEO Jeff Grass was the founder of Paymybills.com.
Trusted Edge. This maker of software that automatically saves or deletes corporate information according to federal compliance regulations is pinning its hopes on the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements that many corporations say are onerous.
People
Matt Calkins. Like his previous employer, MicroStrategy, the chief executive of Appian Corp. has shunned taking venture capital and talks about revolutionizing business. Calkins is taking what he learned at MicroStrategy and applying it to his software company.
Jim Garrettson. After working for two of the biggest blowups in the technology bust, Net2000 and Cidera, Garrettson founded Potomac Officers Club, a group to help high-level execs network and find jobs. Those who go to the events say he finds the best big-name speakers and helped many through the downturn. Now that the tech sector is recovering, Garrettson faces the challenge of creating new events that can hold technology executives' shifting interest.
John Zett. The former chief executive of Blue Ridge Networks is the new head of the Technology Entrepreneurship Center of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. "He will find a way to use the glue of federal money to reshape the support network for entrepreneurs in the region," predicts Vienna angel investing expert John May.
Harry Weller. Now one of the youngest venture capitalists at New Enterprise Associates, Weller had his share of failing companies at FBR Technology Venture Partners. Many local techies are watching how his current big project, Vonage, performs for his new employer.
Gov. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.). The new year will be the time for the former venture capitalist to set the stage (and build the finances) for what he wants to do next. Many in the tech community think he'll make a run for president in 2008. Warner's local network has the connections and pockets to help him, if he decides to go for it.
Shannon Henry writes about Washington's technology culture every other Thursday. Her e-mail address is henrys@washpost.com.
