NEXT HAPPENS HERE
NEXUS234 INNOVATION DISTRICT
Connecting People, Place, and Possibility
NEXUS234.ORG
BUILDING MOMENTUM
Nexus234 didn’t start from scratch. It’s built by the people, ideas, and partnerships energizing this purposedriven district.
1991
A joint proposal between Prince William County and George Mason University forms the Prince William Institute
1997
George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus opens in Innovation Park
1998
ATCC establishes its headquarters in Prince William County
2002
Micron launches operations in the City of Manassas
2010
Hylton Performing Arts Center launches
2014
Prince William County launches the Endeavor wet lab and biotech incubator for startups
2025
GO Virginia awards $2.6M to launch Virginia’s first innovation district
2026
Newly renamed Washington Manassas Airport prepares for commercial flights
For years, George Mason University, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas have worked together with the business community to establish trust, set shared goals, and invest in a common vision for the future.
George Mason Biomedical Research Lab
Micron Technology, Inc.
BIG CHALLENGES— CLEAR OPPORTUNITIES
❚ Create a vibrant destination for innovation-driven industries, with access to talent, infrastructure, capital, and space to grow
❚ Accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions, reducing time from discovery to impact
❚ Leverage multi-sector collaboration within a cohesive ecosystem to advance and scale innovative solutions
❚ Drive job creation and strengthen economic vitality, enabling residents and communities to thrive
❚ Capitalize on close proximity to federal agencies and major data centers to create strong partnerships
NEXUS234 MEETS THIS MOMENT—BRINGING TOGETHER THE PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIPS, LOCATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO TRANSFORM THE REGION FOR WHAT’S NEXT.
SUPPORT FOR THE FULL INNOVATION LIFECYCLE
Designed as a hub for innovation and placemaking, Nexus234 intentionally brings together researchers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to spark meaningful collaboration. Purpose-built to move ideas from discovery to market-ready solutions, Nexus234 enables innovation at scale and delivers measurable impact.
❚ Talent connects directly to opportunity
❚ Collaboration drives progress
❚ Ideas advance from lab to market
FROM DISCOVERY TO DEPLOYMENT, NEXUS234 ENABLES INNOVATION TO SCALE AND SUPPORTS ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Nexus234 Drives Innovation
CONNECT companies with the expertise, talent, facilities, and commercialization resources needed to grow.
ALIGN students with internships and workforce training shaped by employer demand.
CONVENE cross‑sector partners to accelerate research translation and innovation.
BUILD pathways for collaboration, talent development, and professional growth.
ONE ECOSYSTEM, INFINITE
POSSIBILITIES
NEXUS234 BRINGS TOGETHER THE FOUNDATIONS FOR GROWTH:
❚ TALENT THAT DELIVERS
A pipeline of more than 110,000 students, supported by hands-on training, certifications, and industry-aligned programs
❚ INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SCALES
Flexible lab, office, and industrial space, with access to advanced research facilities and specialized equipment
❚ ACCESS THAT CONNECTS
Direct proximity to Washington, D.C., federal agencies, and major transportation networks including air, rail, and highways
❚ AN ECOSYSTEM THAT ACCELERATES
A collaborative network of startups, established companies, researchers, and public-sector partners working together to move ideas forward
NEXUS234 IS ALREADY DELIVERING
RESULTS
❚ 145 patents and 15+ startups generated from George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus
❚ 12,000+ employees across the innovation district
❚ 1,000 acres available for development
❚ 1.5 million visitors annually and growing
Meet the District
George Mason’s nanofabrication facility, including a class 1000 cleanroom for discovery and prototype development, a statewide semiconductor network, and a growing supplier base, supports advanced memory and specialty electronics manufacturing
Meet the District
Mason Enterprise and the Costello College of Business provide support, guidance, and investor connectivity for innovators and entrepreneurs, while the Endeavor Incubator offers commercial wet lab space to help emerging companies launch and grow within the Innovation District
TRANSFORMING BIG IDEAS INTO REAL-WORLD RESULTS
NEXUS234 SUPPORTS INDUSTRIES SHAPING THE FUTURE:
A PLACE TO BUILD AND BELONG
A growing town center, new housing, and vibrant gathering spaces create a community where innovation and everyday life intersect.
NEXUS234 OFFERS:
❚ Arts, culture, and entertainment throughout the surrounding area
❚ Access to recreation, parks, and family-friendly amenities
❚ A connected, inclusive community where people want to live and stay
HYLTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
This premier cultural destination brings worldclass performances, diverse programming, and community engagement together in a striking, stateof-the-art venue.
HISTORIC MANASSAS
Located just outside the district, this walkable downtown offers visitors a vibrant blend of small-town charm and rich history, full of locally owned shops, restaurants, year-round community events, and an emerging nightlife scene.
NOVA LIVE
At the heart of the innovation district, this 21-acre campus features award-winning food, live music, and entertainment for all ages, including four restaurants, a wedding and events venue, a brewery, a distillery, and new the Tempo by Hilton boutique hotel.
The Story Behind the Name
A nexus is a point of connection where ideas, people, and industries come together to create something greater.
The “234” draws its meaning from Route 234, a vital local corridor representing access, opportunity, and shared prosperity. It is rooted in the surrounding community while pointing boldly toward the future, a place where connection fuels momentum and possibility.
Nexus234 is purpose built to move innovation forward. The sequence 2-3-4 illustrates progress in motion aligned with the technology readiness journey: Ideas → Discovery → Action.
» Be Part of What’s Next
Nexus234 is ready to grow, and it needs bold partners to make it happen. By stepping in today, you’ll help drive the launch of new programs, connect innovators across sectors, and create opportunities that will define the region for decades to come. Please contact Jacqueline Connor for more information.
BUILT ON COLLABORATION
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. George Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. George Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a $1 billion comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
The Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism promotes Prince William County as a premier destination for businesses and visitors. We work with partners to attract and grow diverse businesses, create high-quality jobs, and enhance tourism experiences, all contributing to a vibrant community for residents and visitors. Visit pwcded.org or visitpwc.com to learn more.
CITY OF MANASSAS
The City of Manassas fosters economic development through collaborative partnerships, sustainable fiscal management, and supportive city services. The Department of Economic Development is directly responsible for business attraction, retention, expansion, and tourism initiatives in the city. We work in partnership with our key stakeholders to ensure that we have what businesses need, including a highly educated and technical workforce with access to major universities and firstclass training providers. Visit choosemanassas.org to learn more.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
❚ American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)
❚ Didlake
❚ ECU Communications
❚ Dominion Energy
❚ Employment Enterprises, Inc.
❚ I-66 Express Mobility Partners
❚ Garcia Family Foundation
❚ GO Virginia
❚ Micron Technology, Inc.
❚ Northern Virginia Community College
❚ Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian
❚ Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
AT A GLANCE
❚ A collaboration between George Mason University, Prince William County, the City of Manassas, Northern Virginia Community College, and surrounding businesses
❚ Northern Virginia’s first innovation district
❚ A nearly 6,000-acre expandable power-hub for collaboration and market-ready innovation
❚ Centered in and around Manassas, Virginia, with Route 234 as the central corridor
❚ A research and innovation ecosystem anchored by George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus
❚ Supports industries spanning life sciences, forensic technologies, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, electronics, data centers, AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and more
❚ Accelerates the path from discovery to deployment, supports commercialization and economic growth
❚ Supported by a GO Virginia grant and local investments from founding partners, building on 30 years of publicprivate collaboration
POWERED BY
