W HAT IS THE NISA PROGRA M?
The Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator (NISA) Program is a cohort-based accelerator designed to help innovative global startups successfully enter the U S m arket,secure investm ent,and grow at scale.Based in the Nexus234 Innovation District and powered by George Mason University's Science and Technology cam pus and key regional partners,NISA provides a soft landing with real results, offering pitch opportunities,expert m entoring,and access to world-class lab and office space.
Led by Naugen,a global innovation accelerator,the NISA Program serves as a gateway for biotech,m edtech, and deep-tech startups,including AI,robotics, and quantum ,seeking entry into the U.S. m arket.Naugen brings international experience and strategic insight to every cohort,helping founders fast-track their growth in a region known for its pro-business environm ent and cutting-edge research
We help refine your business m odel, sharpen your pitch,and build investor-ready plans
You set up operations, m eet investors,and scale within our innovation ecosystem .
W HAT YOU CA N EXPECT
A frict ionless pat h into t he U.S. m arket ? From legal setup to lab space and trusted local connections,NISA helps you build a solid foundation for confident U.S. entry,elim inating the typical barriers global startups face.
A fast -t rack to clarit y and confidence ? Refine your go-to-m arket strategy,validate your story,and take key steps toward sustainable growth with expert support.
A cohort experience w it h g lobal perspect ive ? Join a diverse group of founders and grow within a peer network rooted in innovation,collaboration,and shared am bition.
P RO GRA M L ED B Y
PROXIMITY THAT POW ERS PROGRESS
Northern Virginia offersunmatched regional access,with three major airportsand seamlessconnectionsto the nation'scapital.
BY THE NUMBERS
30 m iles from t he FDA, NIH, DOD, and NSF
Am ong t he top 10 m ost diverse U.S. count ies
Virg inia: # 1 St ate for Business (CNBC)
Hom e prices 3 t im es low er t han in Silicon Valley and Boston
Top 25 Hig h-Tech Hot spot (Prog ressive Policy Inst it ute)
Georg e Mason Universit y: Tier 1 research universit y
Located in Dat a Center Alley - # 1
dat a center m arket in t he w orld
Four surrounding healt hcare system s: UVA Healt h, Sent ara, Inova, and Children's Nat ional
BUILT FOR REA L GLOBA L SCA LE
NISA is designed to do m ore than help international startups land in the U.S. - it?s built to help you scale.Backed by Virginia?s top innovation leaders,including George Mason University, regional econom ic developm ent groups,and private sector partners,NISA offers the connections,infrastructure,and expertise that growing global ventures need to succeed in the U.S.m arket.
From strategic capital introductions to R&D collaboration with world-class researchers,the program is structured around the key pillars of sustainable expansion.Our goal is sim ple:to reduce barriers and accelerate your U S growth while connecting you to the people and resources that m atter m ost.
CA P I TA L CO N N ECTI O N
NISA facilitates warm introductions to venture capitalists,angel investors,and corporate partners.Participants also gain access to Dem o Days and receive guidance on securing U S grant funding for early-stage growth.
M A RK ET A CCESS
From buyer access and business developm ent support to tailored go-to-m arket strategies, NISA helps startups gain traction and confidently enter the U S m arket
I N N O V A TI O N A N D CO L L A B O RA TI O N
NISA connects com panies to George Mason University researchers and a network of CROs,enabling R&D partnerships,clinical collaborations,and product validation support.
W O RK SP A CE A N D L A U N CH P A D
Selected com panies for Phase 2 can start strong with up to six m onths of free lab or office space, on-site startup resources,and a welcom ing founder com m unity.NISA also supports relocation to Virginia,offering connections to trusted legal,banking,real estate, and accounting providers to m ake the transition seam less.
STRATEGIC LA NDING INFRA STRUCTURE
This isn? t just office space:It?s your front door to Virginia?s m ost connected innovation ecosystem .You?ve already built som ething im pressive - now you need the right place to take it further.NISA surrounds you with the labs,people,and backing to m ake that happen
BUILD A PIPELINE from research to recruitm ent by collaborating with George Mason University on sponsored projects and tapping into student talent for internships and early-career hires.
W ORK FLEXIBLY through coworking space at a m odern startup facility
ENGAGE W ITH REGIONAL PARTNERS, LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS, AND MUNICIPAL INNOVATION TEAMS to explore new m arkets and build early traction.
NAVIGATE THE PROCESS SMOOTHLY with onboarding, operations,and support provided by Naugen,NISA?s experienced program operator
ACCESS TO A DVA NCED RESEA RCH A ND TESTING FACILITIES
Through coordinated scheduling and guided access,NISA participants can accelerate developm ent across a range of disciplines Available facilities include:
CAP-ACCREDITED CLIA DIAGNOSTICS LAB
For clinical assay developm ent and validation
3T MRI FACILITY
Enabling hum an brain and whole body im aging
REGIONAL BIOCONTAINMENT LAB (BSL-3 / ABSL-3)
For infectious disease and high-containm ent studies
NANOFABRICATION FACILITY
Ideal for biosensors, m icrodevices,and precision engineering
CAERUS COMMERCIAL VIVARIUM
A fully equipped environm ent for in vivo pharm acology and disease m odeling
A THRIVING HUB OF INNOVATION
Join a vibrant com m unity where ideas converge and breakthroughs happen.
As a soft landing com pany,you'll becom e part of a dynam ic ecosystem within Nexus234 - hom e to entrepreneurs,researchers,and global changem akers across high-tech sectors.Here,innovation thrives,and so do the people behind it.
SECTO R
SP O TL I GH T
BUILT FOR BOLD IDEA S LIKE YOURS
NEXUS234 PRIORITIZES:
- Bridging industry and academ ia to strengthen talent pipelines and drive business growth
- Delivering education and workforce training that aligns with real-world industry needs
- Creating dynam ic spaces and program m ing that attract and retain young professionals
- Supporting businesses at every stage of their journey,from early idea to rapid scale
- Building an ecosystem that spans academ ia,industry,governm ent,and health care
