Celebrating a Decade of Innovation: Looking Back at Ten Years of GO Virginia in Northern Virginia

2026 marks a significant milestone for GO Virginia: the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Act and the development of the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia).

GO Virginia advances Virginia’s economic competitiveness by administering grants for regional economic and workforce development projects throughout the Commonwealth. The mission of GO Virginia is to expand jobs that pay higher than the regional average wages and attract additional investments to stimulate economic growth throughout the Commonwealth’s nine regions.

Since its inception, GO Virginia Region 7 has secured more than $20.9 million in funding for 33 projects, all designed to position Northern Virginia as a hub for next-generation technologies, strengthen our region’s economic resilience, and build a more innovative, future-ready workforce. 

GO Virginia’s Regional Impact (2016-2026):

• $20.9M GO Virginia funds granted in the region

• $13.9M matching funds contributed

• $471M in entrepreneurship capital raised

• 7,052 jobs created or filled

• 28,029 people trained

• 770 internships created

• 703 businesses launched

• 770 entrepreneurs served

• 659 credentials earned

• 30,000 sq ft Class A BSL 2 research facility built

Driving Economic Growth Through Collaboration

GO Virginia invests in collaborative projects that drive economic growth, diversification, and high-quality job creation. In Region 7, we are focused on four priority industry clusters: Computer Services, Cybersecurity, Life Sciences, and Emerging Technologies, which include artificial intelligence, quantum, semiconductors, robotics, unmanned systems, energy technology, and aerospace. 

All funded projects must align directly to the Region 7 Growth & Diversification Plan, demonstrate strong industry participation, involve two or more localities providing matching funds in support of the project, and directly address a regional challenge or need.

Over the next few months, we will be taking a deeper dive into how GO Virginia drives economic growth through collaboration through a series of blog posts. This series will spotlight how Region 7 projects that have been funded are making a lasting impact throughout the region.

Several highlighted projects funded by GO Virginia that have made an immediate impact on our regional economy include:

• GMU’s Innovation District ($2.6M Grant): Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District is anchored by George Mason's SciTech Campus in Prince William County and City of Manassas. The Innovation District allows local workers to acquire the skills needed to stay ahead in fast-moving industries, supports the introduction of new technologies, helps entrepreneurs navigate the commercialization process, and increases the region’s appeal to companies from around the world. (2025)

• The Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology ($3.3M Grant): The Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology ($3.3M Grant): The Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST) is a collaborative network of semiconductor, microelectronics, nanotechnology industries and Virginia colleges and universities. VAST brings together leading experts, state-of-the-art research facilities, and cutting-edge research to position Virginia as a hub for the semiconductor sector. VAST has developed the capacity to train 250 adult learners and career changers annually through its IEEE-certified Fast-Track to Semiconductor Careers initiative, delivering more than 80 hours of combined lecture-based and hands-on training. (2023)

• Nano-IMAGINE at GMU ($2.5M Grant): The Nano-IMAGINE program leverages George Mason University's Nanofabrication Facility with a class 1000 clean room to provide robust hands-on workforce training and support the launch and growth of high-tech nanotechnology startups, accelerating the growth of Virginia’s nanotechnology sector. (2022)

• Northern Virginia Smart Regional Initiative ($1.2M Grant): Run by local business accelerator Smart City Works, this initiative trained 120 angel investors on startup investing, provided tech startups with access to a business acceleration program and developed pilot projects for graduates of the program. programs and marketplace pathways. (2021)

• Virginia Cyber Skills Academy ($699,995 Grant): The Virginia Cyber Skills Academy, in partnership with the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu and GIAC, helped Virginia residents pivot to cybersecurity careers following the pandemic. The academy provided impacted workers with access to no-cost online cybersecurity training and industry-recognized certifications, helping them transition to high-demand roles with local technology firms. (2021)

• Dual Enrollment Expansion Program for Information and Engineering Technology (DEEP IET) ($1.1M Grant): Known as DEEP-IET, this Northern Virginia Community College program was designed to develop regional workforce capacity in information and engineering technology careers, producing 288 additional graduates, creating 96 new internships, and expanding the number of certified dual enrollment teachers in the region. (2021)

Looking Toward the Future

As we reflect upon the progress that has been made in the decade since GO Virginia was enacted, Northern Virginia is facing unprecedented challenges. Cuts to federal jobs, contracts and grants have had a negative impact on the local economy, bringing into focus the negative impacts on the region’s over-reliance on federal spending.

The mission of GO Virginia, helping build a more resilient and diversified local economy through innovation and collaboration, is as vital to the economic health of the region now as it has been over the past decade. GO Virginia Region 7 will continue working to strengthen our region’s economic resilience and build a more innovative, future-ready workforce, positioning Northern Virginias as the hub for next-generation technologies. The outlook for the next ten years looks bright in Northern Virginia, and we look forward to helping to drive the region into the future.