News

Notes: Alexandria veteran wins $10K pitch contest for AI-driven genomics startup

By ALXnow.com

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms tonight, mainly before 7 p.m. Patchy fog after 5 a.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

🚨 You need to know

Yusuf N. Henriques, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of IndyGeneUS Bio. (Photo Credit: IndyGeneUS Bio)

An Alexandria-based Army veteran took home $10,000 in non-dilutive funding after winning a pitch competition for veteran entrepreneurs at the annual DAV National Convention in Las Vegas this week.

Yusuf N. Henriques, who resides in Alexandria, competed against five other veterans before a panel of business experts at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The former combat medic founded IndyGeneUS AI, a company that leverages artificial intelligence and data mining to expedite development of targeted therapies for precision medicine. Henriques, whose work is driven by his twin daughters’ rare genetic eye disease, was voted the winner by a live audience of veterans and supporters in the contest supported by T-Mobile.

The competition was part of DAV Patriot Boot Camp, an entrepreneurship program run by Disabled American Veterans, the congressionally chartered advocacy organization for disabled veterans. The program provides startup education, mentorship and funding access to veteran entrepreneurs through multiple three-day boot camps held throughout the year, with each cohort ending in a pitch contest.

Henriques is an alumnus of the Patriot Boot Camp program. IndyGeneUS AI is a Black-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business that aims to bring quality targeted therapies to market faster and drive global precision health equity. The annual convention pitch contest was held alongside DAV’s National Convention, which brings together thousands of service-disabled veterans, their families and policymakers to guide the organization’s advocacy efforts.

Here’s what else you need to know

🏠 Two Alexandria homes (and another two with Alexandria addresses in Fairfax County) are among the most expensive homes for sale in Virginia right now.

🏘️ Three Alexandria property owners are set to lose their properties after years of unpaid real estate taxes, as the city’s collection process brings their properties to public auction following extended periods of delinquency.

👉 Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins is urging state and federal leaders to conduct expedited audits of Virginia’s readiness to implement new federal requirements affecting Medicaid and food assistance programs.

🎶 Port City Brewing’s Loading Dock Rock Summer Concert Series returns tonight at 6 p.m. with a performance by No Quick Fix. Looking for more things to do today and this weekend, we have you covered.

📈 Thursday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Aug 14, 2025.

  1. Man who jumped from King Street balcony was indicted for dating app fraud
  2. Notes: Hank’s Pasta Bar returns as takeout-only concept in Old Town
  3. ARHA tenants plan protest over delayed payments, service issues
  4. Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita scales back hours after neighbor concerns in Del Ray
  5. Three Alexandria properties face tax sale after years of unpaid bills

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s happening today and this weekend in Alexandria, courtesy of our newsletter and event calendar.

Friday, August 15

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools

  • No meetings are scheduled.

Saturday, August 16

​​Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

  • 219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
  • Alexandria Bier Garden: Comedy Night at 8 p.m., DJ & Karaoke Night at 9 p.m.
  • Bella Napoli: Ryland Edwards at 1 p.m., Kevin Caffery at 3:30 p.m.
  • Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9 p.m.
  • Cheesetique: Marian Hunter Duo at 1 pm, Busketeers at 3:30 pm
  • Daniel O’Connell’s: Kenny Kohlhaas Duo at 9:30 p.m.
  • Del Ray Pizzeria: DJ Ray at 1 p.m., Squid Inc. at 3 p.m.
  • Evening Star Cafe: George Katsos at 1 p.m., Lacklustre at 4 p.m.
  • Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Freddy Mac: Tyler Wilson’s Last Waltz, Beefcake and The Backing Tracks at 8 p.m.
  • Gustav: The Maysuns at 1 p.m., The Derds at 3:30 p.m.
  • Hops N Shine: Jake Mimikos at 12:30 p.m., Karaoke at 9 p.m.
  • Junction Bakery & Bistro: The Band w/ No Name at 1 p.m., Wildflower  Revival at 3:30 p.m.
  • Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
  • Lena’s Woodfired Pizza & Tap: Summer & Eric Duo at 1 p.m.
  • Los Tios Grill: Tennessee Frisky at 1 p.m., Carter Farm at 3:30 p.m.
  • Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
  • Matt & Tony’s: Greg Roth at 1 p.m.
  • Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Gravey & The Wavos at 9 p.m.
  • Northside 10: Kit Wannen at 12:30 p.m.
  • O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Friday Night Flicks at 9 p.m.
  • Piece Out Del Ray: Lo Ball at 1 p.m., The Okays at 3 p.m.
  • Pork Barrell: Bridget Artman at 2 p.m., DJ Bob at 5 p.m.
  • Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
  • Rosemarino: DJ Calibra8tor at 12:30 p.m.
  • St. Elmo’s: Janna Audrey at 1 p.m., Neal Learner at 3:30 p.m.
  • The Birchmere: Toast – The Ultimate BREAD Experience at 7:30 p.m.
  • The Garden: Bob Lawson at 12 p.m., Paper Airplanes at 3 p.m.
  • The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Kinky Boots at 8 p.m.
  • The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.

City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools

Sunday, August 17

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools

About the Author

  • This is the staff byline for ALXnow, used by editors and other full-time staff. Launched in October 2019, ALXnow is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Alexandria, Virginia.