A few weeks ago, I was in New Orleans for a jam-packed wedding weekend, complete with a crawfish boil, second line parade, Hawaii-themed 30th birthday luau for the bride-to-be, and more gumbo and jambalaya than we could eat (and guys, we’re talking authentic Louisiana Creole, which was just delicious.)
It was special, surreal and, frankly, pretty scary. The novel coronavirus was quietly spreading around us, and it became clearer over those five days that it was the last time I’d see those friends for a while — at least in the flesh, not separated by miles and FaceTime. We scrubbed our hands like surgeons. We social distanced (that’s a verb now, right?). We sanitized our seats on the planes.
We all returned to a different world.
Over those next few weeks that felt like months, I’ve watched so much change, perhaps no more pronounced than on the innovation beat I cover for the Washington Business Journal. I’ve seen first-time entrepreneurs reexamine their routes, scientists hustle to develop vaccines and treatments on once impossible timelines and veteran startup founders pivot and persevere. I’ve seen some struggle to meet demand, and others struggle because they have none; some raise funding despite widespread investor restraint, and others table rounds because they’re stuck. I’ve witnessed candor, humility, emotion and a willingness to take a loss if it means helping others through the pandemic.
The people who drive the region’s innovation economy are now searching for ways to stay afloat in these uncharted waters, to keep their businesses running and their families safe — and, to return us to what was so recently normal. They’re living through the age of COVID-19 themselves, but they’re also the very people who will help the D.C. area emerge from this crisis in one piece.
Their work is hard. This moment is harder. It brings new meaning to the word, “innovation.” And now, more than ever, we need it.
I’ve been with the WBJ since 2015, first as a digital producer and general assignment reporter, before taking over my current beat two years ago. I’ve had the chance to chronicle the local startup scene, biotech and life sciences companies, health systems and universities — but, most importantly, the people behind these engines; the ones driving the change. Even in that short time, that innovation community has evolved tremendously, with exits and implosions, triumphs and flops, and no shortage of important stories. It’s a remarkable ecosystem that truly deserves our attention.
I want to capture those stories, pay them that attention and share them with this DC Inno audience — through the storm and once it passes. While I will continue my work for the WBJ, I will also immerse myself further into the DMV’s tech, startup and innovation landscape here, to bring authoritative, accurate and interesting news to your inboxes twice a week.
Many of you, I know. Many more, I can’t wait to meet. I hope to hear from you all: sgilgore@bizjournals.com, 703-258-0847, @WBJSara on Twitter.
It’s a new chapter for me, The Beat and the region, and I can’t wait to get started April 14. See you then.
Sara will be leading The Beat and DC Inno starting on Tuesday, 4/14
