RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of four Northern Virginia companies, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export.

Currently, the VALET program has 49 companies as participants. New participants in the program have access to $15,000 in reimbursement funds from the Commonwealth. The program provides participating companies assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet their international goals. Private sector service providers, such as attorneys, web designers, bankers, translators, accountants and freight forwarders, contribute essential expertise to assist companies in executing their export initiatives.

The new companies accepted into the program include AvMet, PIXIA Corp., and ANAB of Fairfax County; and ACI Solutions of Arlington County.

These Virginia companies join the program as part of the 28th class of the VALET program. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. To date, 246 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

“The VALET program puts participating companies on the fast track to international business growth by connecting them with the necessary tools for successful export sales,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP Vice President of International Trade. “Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with more than 200 businesses to accelerate their international sales growth. Because of the program’s proven success and because jobs are created when Virginia companies sell more into global markets, it is important that we continue to assist Virginia companies through the program. We are happy to welcome these companies to VALET and look forward to working with them over the course of the next two years.”

ANAB

ANAB provides accreditation and training services to public- and private sector organizations for 
laboratories, management systems certification bodies, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, and for industry-specific accreditation programs.

AvMet

AvMet offers innovative approaches for the aviation weather community. It translates weather information into quantifiable weather impact on air traffic and identifies solutions for weather impact mitigation that will make the national and international airspace safer and more efficient.

PIXIA

PIXIA is dedicated to developing the world’s fastest and most-scalable geospatial database software solution. Their open, flexible, and proven platform empowers users to visualize critical pixels rapidly and securely anywhere in the world, even when disconnected from networks.

ACI Solutions

ACI Solutions is a premier provider of Information Technology and Security services. ACI provides consulting and support services in the cyber security, unified communications and network infrastructure arenas, along with a long-standing reputation of providing talent acquisition and resource management support to Government and International markets.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, United Kingdom, Germany, India, China, and Japan.

To learn more about the VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.