Enlightenment Capital backs last year's top WT Fast 50 company

Government market investment firm Enlightenment Capital has made its fourth backing of the year so far, this time in spectrum management and software services outfit Expression Networks.

In a release Monday, Enlightenment Capital said it acquired a partial stake in Expression Networks through a program dedicated to venture capital investments in small businesses.

Expression Networks finished at the very top of last year’s Washington Technology Fast 50 list that ranks the market’s fastest-growing small business government contractors based on growth over five years. The company reported 58 employees and close to $7 million in annual revenue at the time.

Washington, D.C.-based Expression was founded in 1997 and focuses on automation and visualization technology, software engineering and data analytics services for agencies in the national security community.

The Small Business Administration cleared Enlightenment in June to participate in the agency’s Small Business Investment Company fund, which gives some investors venture funds to back small businesses in the form of agency-supported loans.

Investors who participate in the SBIC program receive $2.00 for every $1.00 invested in designated small businesses. The idea is to generate more capital that can be directed toward other businesses.

Enlightenment's other investments this year include the acquisition of Trowbridge & Trowbridge in April, along with the partial backings of System High Corp. in January and Sev1Tech earlier in September.