We recently celebrated the achievements of our 2024 NextGen honorees in the September/October issue of CoVaBIZ. As a fitting accompaniment to that feature, for this Web Exclusive we're taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on individuals under 30 who are considered prime examples of the emerging tech talent being cultivated right here in Coastal Virginia.
For this list, we reached out to local leaders in the Coastal Virginia business, entrepreneurship and education community to share with CoVaBIZ readers their picks for likely future tech titans and to present the reasons behind their selections.
Yet another way to celebrate our region's rich tech and entrepreneurial talent pool.
Pratik Kothari, CEO, TechArk Solutions | Pick: Christian Kagel
Christian Kagel
Kothari says: Tenacious, thoughtful, and diligent, Christian Kagel has represented TechArk as a software and apps specialist for over a year. His consistent pursuit of knowledge and continual suggestions for process improvement have allowed the software and apps team to grow exponentially and still meet client goals. Christian represents the best in the software and apps arena, leading the charge to embrace innovation in every task, managing complex software projects with minimal oversight, and demonstrating a level of dedication to his work rarely seen.
James Doe, associate director, Innovate Hampton Roads | Picks: Jude Augustine, Mark Lau, and Pranav Krishnamurthy
Mark Lau, Jude Augustine, and Pranav Krishnamurthy
Doe Says: My pick is a group of young entrepreneurs known as Tidal Flight—Mark Lau, Jude Augustine, and Pranav Krishnamurthy—three exceptionally passionate under-30 individuals making a significant impact on our entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Hampton Roads. After graduating from Georgia Tech, these aerospace majors relocated here to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. They say they came here “because of the water“ and because of the tech resources available in our region. Those two factors made this area the top choice when deciding where they wanted their tech startup to be born.
Tidal Flight has designed an electric seaplane with the dual-use potential to revolutionize both national defense and commuter travel. Their key achievements include securing Bill Fredericks, CEO of Advanced Aircraft Company as an advisor; acceptance into the City of Hampton's ReAKTOR deep-tech incubator; winning a VIPC commercialization grant; and securing over $300 million in letters of intent for their future aircraft production post-2030. These young entrepreneurs epitomize the excellence and national reach of our region's talent pool.
Jessica Zimmerman, Old Dominion University Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation | Picks: Devon Nelson and Lindsay Cook
Devon Nelson
Zimmerman says: Devon Nelson is a multimedia artist and animator for the ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI). Devon was originally an intern for OERI/VMASC/VDMC, where he built 3D assets for the Virginia Digital Maritime Coastal Coders Project. This experience sparked his passion for 3D and led to an undergraduate research assistant position, where he had the opportunity to model and animate a repair robot for the same project. Then Devon was placed on a team of four interns to develop a set of mini-games for the Coastal Coders project.
This collaborative experience was rewarding for Devon and it further honed his skills. Following this project, Devon, along with two other 3D modelers, was tasked with modeling an aircraft carrier. As an undergraduate research assistant, Devon contributed to developing 'Bulky VR,' a serious learning game in Unity, designed to introduce K-12 students to maritime STEM careers. After graduating from ODU with a bachelor’s degree in game studies and design in 2023, Devon was hired as a full-time multimedia artist and animator for OERI/VDMC. Currently, Devon is working on a project where he is designing 360 environments.
Lindsay Cook
Lindsay Cook is a highly talented and dedicated professional serving as the OERI graduate communication and marketing assistant. Her journey with OERI began as an undergraduate intern, where she worked closely with our STEM coordinator through a grant from the Department of Education. Lindsay's creative flair and exceptional work ethic were instrumental in creating designs and literature around STEM, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. During her internship, Lindsay's ability to transform ideas into stunning visual representations quickly became evident.
Her impressive work led to her appointment as a graduate student assistant upon completing her bachelor’s degree in English and communications with a concentration in journalism and public relations from ODU in 2023. Her portfolio includes a wide array of design projects such as brochures, pamphlets, business cards, newsletters, postcards, and flyers, all showcasing her versatility and attention to detail. Lindsay's collaborative spirit and quick turnaround times have made her an invaluable asset to our team. She brings a blend of creativity, professionalism, and enthusiasm to every project, ensuring that our communication materials are both visually appealing and effective. Her designs are not only timely but also resonate with our target audience, enhancing our outreach efforts significantly.
Nicole Carry, director of technical operations, ADP | Pick: Priyanka Kogta
Priyanka Kogta
Carry says: As a senior application developer at ADP, Priyanka Kogta consistently demonstrates exceptional technical prowess, innovative thinking and a deep commitment to excellence. I fully anticipate that a future CEO at ADP could emerge from the ranks of skilled developers, and Priyanka is on that promising path. Priyanka's technical expertise is complemented by her natural leadership and mentoring abilities. She actively shares her knowledge with team members, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. Her dedication to continuous improvement and her passion for leveraging technology to solve real-world problems make her an invaluable asset to ADP. I am confident that she will continue to achieve great success and inspire those around her.
Tracy Gregorio, CEO, G2 Ops, Inc. | Pick: Kylee Cope
Kylee Cope
Gregorio says: Kylee Cope is a promising young talent in tech. Kylee is an engineer with G2 Ops supporting our Department of Defense contracts. She joined G2 Ops in May 2018 as a systems engineer and has since advanced to a senior systems engineer, showcasing her exceptional skill, intelligence and leadership. She holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from ODU, where she gained extensive internship experience, including two years at Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a Department of Navy Pathways Nuclear Engineering intern. Her project assignments have supported the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, focusing on cyber preparedness for their complex systems. Most recently, she has been leading the systems engineering requirements for a Navy cloud project that will bring enhanced capabilities to our warfighters. Kylee's ability to simplify and communicate technical concepts effectively sets her apart in her field. Kylee has earned several industry-recognized certifications, including Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
