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Thad Rueter

Thad Rueter writes about the business of government technology. He covered local and state governments for newspapers in the Chicago area and Florida, as well as e-commerce, digital payments and related topics for various publications. He lives in Wisconsin.

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming mainstream for public agencies. But as state tech leaders look toward the benefits of the technology in the coming years, they are also sounding cautionary notes.
The company rebranded and moved to Washington, D.C., last year to be closer to federal customers. But, as its CEO explains, non-federal markets remain important to the firm’s growth.
The Canada-based gov tech supplier has acquired a company that sells CAD, RMS and other tools for first responders and public safety agencies. Versaterm’s CEO explains the thinking behind his company’s latest deal.
The company, in business for eight years, sells software for records management and response. First Due also serves state and local customers, along with the Department of Defense and other agencies.
The procurement software vendor could soon have a bigger presence in local contracting, according to the CEO. The funding comes among other changes for companies in procurement.
The two gov tech vendors have built a large online library of public contracts. The goal is to make it easier for suppliers and public agencies to study and evaluate contracts, and craft the best deals.
Champ aims to be the big player when it comes to the digital title industry, with West Virginia the center of that push. The company continues to take on new clients, with at least two more states soon expected to use the company’s software.
The acquisition is just the latest for the Nebraska company whose software is used by municipalities, utilities and special districts. Private equity helped make this deal possible, reflecting a larger gov tech trend.
The closing of the Series C round, with $75 million from BlackRock, could drive further integration of AI into RapidSOS’ products. The company is now one of the “highest-funded businesses” in public safety, an industry observer said.
Cox Enterprises’ purchase of OpenGov, which valued the company at a landmark $1.8 billion, saw it buy out private equity stakes in the firm. A company executive said it offers “long-term stability” as investments in AI for local government are planned.