Methodology
How we source, verify, and maintain the DMV Founders Graph.
97
Published entities
52
Mapped relationships
What this is
A curated knowledge layer: entities (nodes), relationships (edges), evidence (sources), and editorial pathways. Public records are reviewed and published with provenance. Every important relationship or claim has a source URL, a short explanation, a confidence level, and a last-updated signal.
What this is not
- Not a complete map of every startup or person in the region.
- Not automated truth — relationships require evidence before publication.
- Not an endorsement of any organization or program.
Verification states
Every entity and relationship carries a verification status:
Evidence trust tiers
Sources are classified by reliability:
| Tier | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| official | Primary/official source | Organization's own website |
| high | Reputable secondary source | Major news outlet, government database |
| medium | Reasonable secondary source | Industry blog, press release |
| low | Provisional, needs review | Social media, unverified claim |
Relationship labels
Edge types (e.g. funds,partners-with,supports) are drawn from a controlled taxonomy. Human-readable summaries explain nuance; the label is never a substitute for reading the evidence.
Regional scope
MVP scope is Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia only. Geography tags describe where an entity primarily operates or serves — not every jurisdiction it touches.
Corrections & updates
Stale records may remain visible when still useful, with clear labeling. Corrections are welcome — every submission is reviewed by editors before publication.
Submit an update