On December 5, 2025, more than 65-75 participants gathered at George Mason University’s Mason Square FUSE Conference Center for the launch of the Pivot Academy . Supported by a GO Virginia Region 7 Planning Grant, this full-day workshop introduced professionals, entrepreneurs, and federal contractors to new pathways in the state, local, and education (SLED) marketplace. Northern Virginia’s economic heavy dependence on federal spending creates both opportunity and vulnerabili

Marymount University to Launch NOVATech Works Hub to Advance Regional Innovation and Workforce Growth

GO Virginia Region 7   is pleased to announce that it has approved a Planning Grant to fund the Pivot Academy, an initiative led by   George Mason University’s   Costello College of Business and Baroni Center for Government Contracting to reduce reliance on federal contracting in the region. GO Virginia Planning grants support early-stage projects that build regional capacity and collaboration—laying the foundation for future job-creating initiatives. “This project addresses

George Washington University (GW) has received a GO Virginia Region 7 Planning Grant for Working in Synch with Employers (WISE) —a project designed to strengthen collaboration between employers, educators, and workforce leaders across Northern Virginia. This planning grant is well aligned with the 2025 updated  Region 7 Growth & Diversification Plan , which emphasizes workforce alignment and collaboration to meet industry demand in life sciences, one of the Region 7 indust