This spring, start-ups from around the world came to the Nexus234 Innovation District for 's (NISA) Global Innovation Showcase. Over two days, the entrepreneurs pitched pioneering technologies; toured research facilities; met one-on-one with 91做厙 faculty, local talent, investors, and members of industry and state and local government; and explored what it would take to bring their businesses to the United States. The top companies from that showcase are now finalizing plans to move into Nexus234.
Led by Naugen in partnership with Nexus234, NISA equips international start-ups with resources to establish and grow their U.S. presence. Applications are now open for the second cohort.
NISA offers more than mentorship and funding. From the start, participants are connected with the researchers, investors, mentors, and regional partners who can help them take the next step, eliminating months of trying to figure out who to call.
The inaugural application cycle attracted 22 companies spanning South Korea, Israel, Japan, Uganda, and the United States. Ten were selected to participate in the Global Innovation Showcase.
The conversations sparked during the showcase are continuing today. Businesses are already working with George Mason faculty as they pursue new avenues for funding and commercialization.
One of those companies is Atheon Bio, a South Korean biotechnology company that is developing first-in-class antibody therapeutics designed to treat solid tumors and overcome drug resistance by targeting specific blood vessels that cancer cells rely on to survive.
For CEO and Founder Sue So Heui Choe, NISA was about the people as much as the business.
"Visiting Virginia and meeting everyone in Nexus234 was a turning point," said Choe. "I felt like they were not simply trying to persuade another company to relocate to the region. They genuinely wanted to understand Atheon Bio, embrace our vision, and help us become part of the community. Virginia is not only a place for Atheon Bio to do business. It is a place we can call home."
That early momentum has laid the groundwork for the program's next chapter.
Were excited to welcome these companies to Nexus234 and the innovation and global perspectives they bring to our region," said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation and economic impact at George Mason. As Virginias largest public research university, George Mason brings together world-class research, entrepreneurial talent, and industry partners to help international start-ups accelerate growth, forge meaningful connections, and thrive in the U.S. market.
Mason Korea's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship identifies South Korean start-ups that could benefit from NISA, provides early-stage mentorship, and introduces founders to the program early in the process.
"South Korea has a strong pipeline of companies, and Nexus234 provides an environment where they can succeed in the U.S. Through Mason Korea, we're empowering entrepreneurs and serving as a guide for businesses exploring U.S. expansion," said Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea.
The benefits of NISA extend beyond the participating start-ups. As international companies put down roots in Northern Virginia, they also strengthen the local commercial landscape.
"International start-ups bring fresh ideas, but they also bring ambition. When those businesses choose Northern Virginia, they will gain access to [Prince William Chamber of Commerces] network of leaders in health care, technology, accounting, law, human resources, insurance, and other sectors, all ready to support their journey," said Kristi Black, president and CEO of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.
NISA is one example of a broader effort that has been decades in the making. More than 30 years of investment by Prince William County, the City of Manassas, George Mason, and public and private organizations have created a flourishing innovation ecosystem. That long-term commitment helped earn Nexus234 recognition by Real FDI as one of the world's Top 10 Life Sciences Projects and continues to attract companies looking to launch their U.S. operations.