NEXT HAPPENS HERE NEXUS234 INNOVATION DISTRICT Connecting People, Place, and Possibility
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Loudoun County, VA
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Montgomery County, MD
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Washington, DC IAD Arlington County
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Prince William County, VA
Fairfax County, VA Historic Manassas
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Prince George’s County, MD
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Marine Corps Fauquier Base Quantico County, VA
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Charles County, MD Stafford County, VA
Prince William County 4,158 acres
City of Manassas 1,763 acres
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BUILDING MOMENTUM Nexus234 didn’t start from scratch. It’s built by the people, ideas, and partnerships energizing this purposedriven district.
George Mason Biomedical Research Lab
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
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Micron Technology, Inc.
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.
ATCC
BIG CHALLENGES— CLEAR OPPORTUNITIES ❚
Create a vibrant destination for innovation‑driven industries, with access to talent, infrastructure, capital, and space to grow
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Accelerate the translation of research into market‑ready solutions, reducing time from discovery to impact
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Leverage multi‑sector collaboration within a cohesive ecosystem to advance and scale innovative solutions
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Drive job creation and strengthen economic vitality, enabling residents and communities to thrive
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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. nexus234.org 3
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
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Collaboration drives progress
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Ideas advance from lab to market
FROM DISCOVERY TO DEPLOYMENT, NEXUS234 ENABLES INNOVATION TO SCALE AND SUPPORTS ECONOMIC GROWTH.
Nexus234 Drives Innovation CONNECT
ALIGN
CONVENE
BUILD
companies with
students with
cross‑sector
pathways for
the expertise,
internships and
partners to
collaboration, talent
talent, facilities, and
workforce training
accelerate research
development,
commercialization
shaped by employer
translation and
and professional
resources needed
demand.
innovation.
growth.
to grow.
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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
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INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SCALES Flexible lab, office, and industrial space, with access to advanced research facilities and specialized equipment
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Meet the District
ACCESS THAT CONNECTS
George Mason’s
Direct proximity to Washington, D.C., federal
nanofabrication
agencies, and major transportation networks
facility, including a
including air, rail, and highways
class 1000 cleanroom for
AN ECOSYSTEM THAT ACCELERATES A collaborative network of startups, established companies, researchers, and public-sector partners working together to move ideas forward
discovery and prototype development, a statewide semiconductor network, and a growing supplier base, supports advanced memory and specialty
NEXUS234 IS ALREADY DELIVERING RESULTS ❚
electronics manufacturing
145 patents and 15+ startups generated from George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus
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12,000+ employees across the innovation district
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1,000 acres available for development
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1.5 million visitors annually and growing
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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:
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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
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Access to recreation, parks, and family-friendly amenities
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A connected, inclusive community where people want to live and stay
HYLTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
HISTORIC MANASSAS
NOVA LIVE
Located just outside the
innovation district, this
This premier cultural
district, this walkable
21-acre campus features
destination brings world-
downtown offers visitors a
award-winning food, live
class performances,
vibrant blend of small-town
music, and entertainment
diverse programming, and
charm and rich history, full
for all ages, including four
community engagement
of locally owned shops,
restaurants, a wedding
together in a striking, state-
restaurants, year-round
and events venue, a
of-the-art venue.
community events, and an
brewery, a distillery, and
emerging nightlife scene.
new the Tempo by Hilton
At the heart of the
boutique hotel.
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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.
JACQUELINE CONNOR Associate Director of University Priorities, George Mason University 703-993-7150 jconnor8@gmu.edu
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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
FOUNDING PARTNERS ❚
ATCC
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Didlake
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Dominion Energy
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ECU Communications
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Employment Enterprises, Inc.
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,
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GO Virginia
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I-66 Express Mobility Partners
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
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Garcia Family Foundation
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Melwood
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Micron Technology, Inc.
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Northern Virginia Community College
contributing to a vibrant community for residents and visitors. Visit pwcded.org or visitpwc.com to learn more.
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Sophinea
CITY OF MANASSAS
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TA Digital Group
The City of Manassas fosters economic development through
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United Bank
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Vanderpool, Frostick &
collaborative partnerships, sustainable fiscal management, and supportive city services. The Department of Economic
Nishanian
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
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Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
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.
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AT A GLANCE ❚
A collaboration between George Mason University, Prince William County, the City of Manassas, Northern Virginia Community College, and surrounding businesses
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Northern Virginia’s first innovation district
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A nearly 6,000-acre expandable power-hub for collaboration and market-ready innovation
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Centered in and around Manassas, Virginia, with Route 234 as the central corridor
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A research and innovation ecosystem anchored by George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus
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Supports industries spanning life sciences, forensic technologies, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, electronics, data centers, AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and more
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Accelerates the path from discovery to deployment, supports commercialization and economic growth
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Supported by a GO Virginia grant and local investments from founding partners, building on 30 years of publicprivate collaboration
POWERED BY