GovTech Biz

Private equity continues to make a big splash in gov tech, with BusPatrol and Brandt Information Services the latest to receive investments. Both companies’ management will remain in place.

The CivStart Innovation Hub will have the backing of the advocacy group for municipal governments across the country, as it seeks to help those jurisdictions better understand startups and their technology.

The move comes as the gov tech company seeks a greater profile in the marketplace, eyes more U.S. growth and plans to expand its AI-backed offerings. The CEO explains how the change came about.

As agencies get more comfortable with new ways of analyzing data, UrbanLogiq is betting officials will prefer AI-powered tools over typical traffic-counting methods. Already one city has started using such a product.

The deal brings together a gov tech firm that focuses on local governments and an app that neighbors use to keep track of what’s going on. CivicPlus says the integration will boost civic engagement.

The seasoned former CIO of one of the largest cities in the country will take his three decades of federal and local tech know-how and share it as an executive partner for the global company.

Police departments and emergency dispatch centers need more workers. Gov tech suppliers are rushing to the rescue, promising new software, data integration and other tools to make up for vacant positions.

Two new tools from the public safety tech provider, fresh off an Innovation Day, offer AI assistance during emergencies and wider, unified views of data vital to first responders. The move reflects wider gov tech trends.

As the deal closes, Civica is eyeing more growth, including perhaps to the U.S., where it already has a presence. State and local governments, along with courts and schools, use the company’s software.

The move comes amid wider debate about the role of green energy in law enforcement. Flock Safety says the flexibility of its new camera can also help ease police staffing shortages, a longstanding issue.

As Tyler’s main annual conference approaches, the company is betting its ongoing work with Champ Titles will take hold among more state governments. Meanwhile, the auto market is getting back to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The U.S.-based company, the target of a acquisition earlier this year, provides web infrastructure tools to hotels and other businesses with public areas. The move is a response to local agencies’ need to boost community engagement.

The year ’s first quarter saw 2024 off to a sound start in gov tech transactions, with notable deals involving OpenGov, Axon, gWorks and Springbrook, according to market expert Jeff Cook.

Procurated, a procurement marketplace for state and local agencies, has officially launched its Canary supplier review tool after a quiet debut. The company’s CEO discusses the thinking behind the product’s design.

Facing book bans and programming controversies, an increasing number of libraries are publishing data dashboards for transparency, public accountability and strategic focus.

Dedrone, the company Axon acquired, makes software, sensors and AI that help Ukraine defend against enemy drones — and protect utilities, prisons and public spaces in the U.S. Dedrone had raised $127 million from Axon and other investors.

This is the first acquisition for OpenGov since Cox Enterprises took control of the company in a February deal that valued the gov tech firm at $1.8 billion. OpenGov plans a new suite of tax and revenue products.

William “Bill” Eggers, executive director of Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights, explores the latest technologies and anticipates trends for government in 2024.