Notes: Alexandria defense training company joins Virginia’s international trade program

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Building Momentum LLC, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business based on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, is among 13 companies recently selected to participate in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s prestigious Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday.

Founded in 2015 by Brad Halsey and Albert Vega, Ph.D., Building Momentum provides specialized problem-solving training and prototyping services to elite military and government clients. The company has trained more than 10,000 active duty service members and government officials over the past decade through its flagship Innovation Boot Camp program, which teaches students to leverage emerging technologies to create advantages in combat zones. The Building Momentum team continues to deploy to war zones and disaster areas to assist field personnel and incorporate new technologies into their training programs.

The two-year VALET program assists Virginia exporters with established domestic operations who are committed to international expansion as a growth strategy. Building Momentum will receive international sales plan development services, assistance from experienced international service providers, international business meetings with potential partners, educational events, and customized market research as part of the program.

“Expanding into global markets is essential to driving Virginia’s economic future, and the VALET program equips businesses with the tools and expertise they need to succeed internationally,” Youngkin said in the announcement. The program has graduated 425 companies over its more than two-decade history, with current participants numbering 58 companies across the Commonwealth. Virginia exports $70 billion in goods and services annually, with last year’s VEDP-assisted companies attributing $1.5 billion in international sales that supported over 13,700 jobs for Virginians.

ALXnow has reached out to Building Momentum LLC for comment about their participation in the program and international expansion plans.

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