Nexus234 Innovation District Brochure

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

2 Nexus234 Innovation District

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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specialized equipment

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

INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SCALES Flexible lab, office, and industrial space, with access to advanced research facilities and

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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 innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and

FOUNDING PARTNERS ❚

Collection (ATCC) ❚

Didlake

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ECU Communications

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Dominion Energy

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Employment Enterprises, Inc.

commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a $1 billion comprehensive

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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

Visit pwcded.org or visitpwc.com to learn more.

CITY OF MANASSAS The City of Manassas fosters economic development through

I-66 Express Mobility Partners

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Garcia Family Foundation

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GO Virginia

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Micron Technology, Inc.

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Northern Virginia Community College

high-quality jobs, and enhance tourism experiences, all contributing to a vibrant community for residents and visitors.

American Type Culture

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian

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Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation

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.

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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

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