Katie Maney

Global startups touch down in the Nexus234 Innovation District

Katarina Benson — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:08:10 +0000

Global startups touch down in the Nexus234 Innovation District Katarina Benson Fri, 05/29/2026 - 11:08

This May, startups from across the globe came to Manassas, Virginia. Along with their suitcases, they brought polished presentations, new technologies, and big plans.

Inbar Oz, CEO and cofounder of TrackiMed, pitches to investors during the Nexus234 Global Innovation Showcase at George Mason’s SciTech Campus. Photo provided

They spent two days in the Nexus234 Innovation District for the Global Innovation Showcase. Ten startups were selected from a competitive pool of 22 applicants representing the United States, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.

Offered through the Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator (NISA), the program combined networking, facility tours, and investor conversations. It also included a pitch competition. All these elements were designed to connect companies with the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.

“There’s only so much you can learn from a brochure or a website,” said Jaehan Park, founder and CEO of Naugen, one of the leading organizations of NISA. “Actually spending time here gives startups a much clearer picture of the opportunities and resources available in Nexus234."

Throughout the showcase, startups visited places such as 91��’s Science and Technology Campus, ATCC, and commercial wet lab facilities, including Endeavor, led by Prince William County’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center located in Innovation Park. They also talked with George Mason faculty about potential research collaborations and spoke with students about startup culture and what career development looks like in emerging industries.

“Northern Virginia is a rare blend that’s often very difficult for startups to find in one place: research institutions, industry collaborations, skilled talent, and proximity to major markets,” said Sarah Brooks, director of business and financial services at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. “This area is especially supportive for companies wanting to expand in the U.S."

For many attendees, the pitch competition was the highlight of the showcase. Startups stepped in front of judges to present technologies ranging from wearable medical devices and regenerative medicine to AI platforms. The judges brought experience from venture capital, startup acceleration, health care innovation, business development, and entrepreneurship support organizations across the region and beyond. Lucina Biotherapeutics won first place, while TrackiMed came in second, and MedicosBiotech took third.

Executives from international companies competing to soft land in Nexus234, investors from across the United States, and representatives from 91��, Prince William County, the City of Manassas gathered during the Global Innovation Showcase in Manassas, Virginia. Photo provided

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Innovation District hosts industry-informed life science skills course to support Virginia’s growing workforce needs

Katarina Benson — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:08:46 +0000

Innovation District hosts industry-informed life science skills course to support Virginia’s growing workforce needs Katarina Benson Tue, 02/10/2026 - 11:08

Throughout Virginia, the life sciences sector is gaining momentum as major pharmaceutical companies invest billions in new facilities and operations. As a result, employers need to find people who can step into laboratory and manufacturing roles right away.

Businesses have been consistent in what they are looking for. Educational training is important, but on-the-job experience is harder to find. That gap inspired the week-long Life Science Skill Development Course held in January on 91��’s Science and Technology Campus.

Hosted by the Innovation District, the session was led by Virginia Espina, a research professor in George Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, and Kimberly Clem, a high containment suite lab manager for George Mason’s Biomedical Research Laboratory, whose combined industry and academic backgrounds span GLP/GMP-certified and CAP/CLIA-accredited lab settings.

Students gain skills in the Biomedical Research Lab. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“We built the curriculum around the common pain points we see most often in entry-level professionals, especially when it comes to hands-on competencies, lab math, and data recording,” said Espina.

Conversations with life science companies and workforce partners helped shape a program focused on bench-based learning rather than traditional classroom instruction.

“Employers across the life sciences consistently look for early‑career professionals with a solid foundation in practical lab skills, good documentation habits, and an understanding of quality expectations,” said Heather Branscome, a senior scientist at American Type Culture Collection. “Equally important are transferable qualities such as attention to detail, problem‑solving, and the ability to work effectively in a team.”

Attendees arrived with different backgrounds and goals. Some were early in their careers, others were transitioning to new ones, and many were looking for firsthand exposure to feel more comfortable in technical roles. They also had the opportunity to earn a digital skills badge tied to performance and meeting course requirements.

Northern Virginia Community College student Berkay Erdogan works with one of the microscopes. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“We weren’t just following steps. We had to understand why each one mattered,” said course participant Berkay Erdogan, a student in the biotechnology program at Northern Virginia Community College. “Troubleshooting through challenges made it seem a lot more realistic."

The Innovation District is led jointly by George Mason, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas, and anchored by George Mason’s SciTech Campus. The district and its workforce training programs are supported through funding from GO Virginia, a statewide initiative focused on growing Virginia’s economy by aligning talent development with the needs of industry. Grounded in employer input and professional standards, the Innovation District’s offerings help equip people with the capabilities companies value as the life sciences sector continues to scale in the commonwealth.

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From Navy technician to Micron Technology: How Nano Boot Camp helped one veteran launch a semiconductor career

ckearney — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:29:37 +0000

From Navy technician to Micron Technology: How Nano Boot Camp helped one veteran launch a semiconductor career ckearney Wed, 01/07/2026 - 15:29

For seven years, Charles Stewart’s world revolved around highly technical Navy systems, such as combat systems, anti-ship missile defense operations, radar-jamming technology, and electronic intelligence. In civilian life, he needed to find out how his skills could carry over.

Charles Stewart at Micron Technology. Photo provided

“I’d always been a technician,” said Stewart. “But I didn’t fully understand semiconductor technology. I knew I wanted something different, but I wasn’t sure which way to go.”

After leaving the Navy in 2013, Stewart moved into information technology and infrastructure roles. His days were spent making sure key systems didn’t go offline. The experience taught him how to read a problem quickly and respond with the kind of calm focus the job required. Along the way, he earned an associate’s degree in information systems technology from Northern Virginia Community College before completing his bachelor of applied science degree at 91�� in 2023, where his concentration focused on cloud computing.

It was that blend of precision and technical experience that made Stewart a strong fit for Nano Boot Camp, George Mason’s free week-long training program that introduces veterans, career changers, and emerging talent to the fundamentals of semiconductor manufacturing.

“The Navy is all about maintaining equipment that can’t fail,” said Stewart. “Everything comes down to attention to detail. Nano Boot Camp brought all of that together, from the science and the process to the hands-on work.”

Charles Stewart (center, blue suit) on a tour of Micron Technology in Manassas with his Nano Boot Camp cohort. Photo provided

The program is taught in George Mason’s Nanofabrication Facility (NFF) on the Science and Technology Campus, which anchors the Innovation District created in partnership with Prince William County and the City of Manassas. Both Nano Boot Camp and the Innovation District are supported through GO Virginia funding, which helps expand workforce training initiatives that meet industry needs and create opportunities that help attract and retain top talent in the region. Nano Boot Camp is one example of that investment in action.

Time in the NFF gave Stewart a better sense of the field. It helped him notice which roles matched his strengths.

“Once I got into the lab and started doing the work myself, it kind of shifted,” said Stewart. “I didn’t feel like a student at that point. I felt like someone who could do the job.”

On the final day of Nano Boot Camp, participants visited Micron Technology. The company is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, creating more than 1,200 jobs in the City of Manassas. This visit was transformative for Stewart.

“You get to see the robots, the equipment, the scale,” said Stewart. “It’s a very cool place to be.”

During the tour, he spoke with managers, engineers, and workforce development staff. He walked away with contacts and, soon after, an interview.

“I’ve always been good at fixing things,” said Stewart. “My resume showed reliability, readiness, and technical consistency across every environment I’ve stepped into.”

Micron agreed. The job offers him a foothold in a field he once knew little about.

“We see real value in training pathways that immerse people in the actual work they’ll be doing from day one,” said Michael Guttman, a strategic program manager at Micron. “What makes Nano Boot Camp stand out is its hands-on approach. Participants don’t just learn concepts; they practice real-world tasks and experience the expectations long before they apply.”

Micron’s experience reflects the kind of positive attention George Mason’s program is receiving, including from Virginia leadership.

“Advanced manufacturing is accelerating statewide, and that brings both potential and urgency,” said Megan Healy, senior vice president of talent and workforce strategy at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. “George Mason’s commitment to developing targeted, industry-aligned training shows how education and economic development can work hand-in-hand to prepare Virginians for the jobs waiting for them.”

For Stewart, Nano Boot Camp was more than an educational experience. His story shows why efforts that connect universities with industry partners matter, and he hopes to see more of them introduced.

“Programs like Nano Boot Camp build real connections with employers,” said Stewart. “They attract veterans, career changers, and people from the trades who perform well under pressure and are looking for new opportunities.”

He urges anyone interested in the camp to come ready to learn. Pieces of that training continue to follow him into each new step of his career.

“It gave me a sense of purpose,” said Stewart. “Now I know where I’m supposed to be.”

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A new era of global growth: George Mason and Naugen launch international innovation accelerator

ckearney — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:54:56 +0000

A new era of global growth: George Mason and Naugen launch international innovation accelerator ckearney Tue, 11/18/2025 - 10:54

This month, a new Northern Virginia International Soft-Landing Accelerator (NISA) program, designed to help start-ups from around the globe find guidance, connections, and lab or office spaces at no cost, was launched to help develop new technologies in life sciences.

Participants in the six-month program will have access to George Mason’s cutting-edge labs. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Applications are now open for the first NISA cohort. Participants in the six-month program will have access to 91��’s cutting-edge labs, research, and strong business and government network across the region, propelling ideas from lab to market quickly. Selected companies can work from lab or office space at Endeavor234 and Centerfuse while drawing on support from local legal, financial, real estate, and accounting partners to ease their move into the community.

The program is led by George Mason in partnership with Naugen, a global innovation accelerator recognized for helping ventures enter and grow in untapped markets, at its Science and Technology Campus, located in the heart of the new Innovation District, founded by Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and George Mason. Naugen and George Mason are collaborating with regional economic development groups and private-sector partners on the initiative.

“Many international start-ups bring outstanding technologies, but they often face challenges with the U.S. investment landscape and limited networks. NISA exists to bridge that gap,” said Jaehan Park, founder and CEO of Naugen. “By combining Naugen’s global expertise with Northern Virginia’s thriving ecosystem, we are building a launchpad where international innovators can put down U.S. roots and scale into true worldwide enterprises.”

NISA is also partnering with Mason Korea to help South Korean founders explore opportunities in the United States. At Mason Korea, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), led by the Costello College of Business, introduces early-stage start-ups to the fundamentals of building and testing their ideas through workshops, pitch events, applied projects, and one-on-one guidance. CIE also works with teams that are beginning to look abroad, helping them understand what it takes to reach the U.S. market and linking them with NISA and contacts in Northern Virginia’s start-up ecosystem.

“We meet talented founders every day in South Korea who are eager to take the next step,” said Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea. “CIE pushes them to think more deliberately about their idea, their timing, and the direction they want to take.”

From left, Amy Adams, executive director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation at 91��; Jaehan Park, founder and CEO of Naugen; and Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea, at the NISA launch. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“NISA, along with investments in expanding the life science ecosystem and establishing the Innovation District, is helping build a destination for next-generation companies from around the world in Northern Virginia with benefits across the state,” said Christina Winn, executive director of the Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “Propelling this sector and bolstering the local entrepreneurial network is creating a vibrant place where industries and communities succeed together.”

Part of NISA’s funding comes from the George Mason-managed Innovation District grant, a $3.9 million investment from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of high-wage jobs in strategic industries. Virginia plays a key leadership role as part of the Biohealth Capital Region and is home to the nation’s third-largest biopharma cluster.

“Our goal is not just to attract businesses. We want them to see Manassas as home,” said Patrick Small, economic development director for the City of Manassas. “That means matching founders with the right resources and making sure their employees have access to excellent schools, welcoming neighborhoods, and the amenities that make people want to stay and build their future.”

“NISA participants can take advantage of George Mason’s world-class core facilities, including our biocontainment facility and CAP/CLIA-accredited laboratory,” said Amy Adams, executive director of the Innovation District and George Mason’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation. “George Mason helps innovators shorten the journey from concept to commercialization through pairing these resources with top-tier expertise.”

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Guiding innovation: Meet the George Mason mentors helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into impact

ckearney — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:31:31 +0000

Guiding innovation: Meet the George Mason mentors helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into impact ckearney Wed, 10/08/2025 - 15:31

In the heart of Northern Virginia’s Innovation District, you can feel the buzz of ideas turning into action. Labs hum with experiments, whiteboards fill with sketches of prototypes, and the seeds of new ventures begin to grow. Guiding these entrepreneurs and inventors are TJ Master and Elizabeth Pyle, mentors with the Virginia Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP).

TJ Master. Photo provided

Their job? Helping early-stage entrepreneurs transform vision into viable business strategy.

For both Master and Pyle, mentoring is more than advising—it’s about meeting founders where they are, asking tough questions, and helping them navigate the uncertain early stages of growth.

“I’m a go-to-market expert,” Master said, describing his background that spans Business-to-Consumer, Business-to-Business, and Business-to-Government sectors. “At ICAP, I work with teams from ideation through scaling. Most teams come in with an idea of their initial market and value proposition—I help them test those assumptions and figure out how to turn early interest into a go-to-market plan that makes sense.”

Master’s experience is hard-earned. He helped lead a global communications company from start-up to more than $100 million in annual revenue across six countries—culminating in a NASDAQ IPO. Now, his focus is on using that experience to fuel others’ success. “Working within a community of peers fosters collaboration and shared learning,” he said. “Founders get access to objective guidance in a space where everyone’s trying to solve similar problems.”

For Pyle, mentorship has always been about helping ideas find traction in the real world. Over the past two decades, she’s worked with start-ups and growth-stage companies in tech and health care, supporting founders as they turn ideas into sustainable businesses.

Elizabeth Pyle. Photo provided

As chief operating officer of Aperiomics, Pyle led operations and regulatory strategy. Before that, she helped shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Virginia (UVA), directing the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps site program and serving as associate director for technology entrepreneurship at UVA’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Today, through her consulting firm, Pyle & Associates, she supports companies across industries in interim leadership roles. At ICAP, “I typically work with first-time founders and later-stage teams, faculty spinouts, and start-up to early-stage companies in life sciences, tech-enabled, and government-adjacent sectors,” Pyle said. “My focus is helping them optimize business models, prepare for funding, and build teams that can execute.”

Both mentors say that while funding is often the first thing founders mention as a challenge, it’s not the only hurdle.

“Many teams haven’t deeply defined the problem they’re trying to solve,” Pyle said. “They focus on the technology instead of the customer’s pain. What they really need to do is set the tech aside and validate the problem—understand who has it, what it looks like, and how it affects workflow.”

Hiring and limited lab space can also slow momentum.

Still, for both mentors, the region’s innovation energy is unmistakable. New initiatives like Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Lab-to-Launch program, which aims to streamline commercialization processes across Virginia’s universities, promise to make it even easier for entrepreneurs to turn ideas into impact.

“It’s an exciting initiative,” Master said. “It introduces a transparent and founder-friendly approach to licensing and tech transfer across the state, helping both researchers and entrepreneurs move their products forward faster.”

And while the innovation landscape is changing—particularly with artificial intelligence accelerating product development and investor expectations—Master sees opportunity in the shift. “Investors are asking for stronger growth signals earlier,” he said. “AI raises the bar for lean teams and drives faster hypothesis testing. That creates pressure and opportunity.”

For founders who don’t have a technical background, Pyle has simple but powerful advice: Build your team. “Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “Recruit people who can fill the gaps. Investors back teams who they feel can execute.”

Her second piece of guidance: Keep listening. “Leverage customer discovery interviews,” she said. “Talk to potential users, test assumptions, gather data, and refine the problem you’re solving.”

That focus on curiosity and adaptability is exactly what the Innovation District, led jointly by George Mason, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas, and anchored by George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus, hopes to cultivate—a community where researchers, students, and entrepreneurs collaborate to build something bigger than themselves.

Through ICAP, Virginia-based founders have access to free resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities designed to turn great ideas into market-ready ventures.

Master and Pyle are both on site to meet with founders and teams in the Innovation District. Learn more and register to for ICAP program benefits and mentorship through the Virginia SBDC website.

To connect with Master and Pyle, entrepreneurs can sign up for the Innovation District newsletter by emailing ibhi@gmu.edu.

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George Mason interns make a difference at biotech start-ups

Katarina Benson — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:54:21 +0000

George Mason interns make a difference at biotech start-ups Katarina Benson Tue, 08/19/2025 - 12:54

This summer, 91�� graduate students rolled up their sleeves in busy labs, learned their way around unfamiliar equipment, and even played a part in moving clinical trials forward, working with start-ups and biotech companies in the recently established Innovation District anchored by the university’s Science and Technology Campus.

Biosciences PhD candidate Ahana Byne worked at Ceres Nanosciences for a second summer. Photo provided

It is part of a program George Mason’s Graduate Division rolled out two years ago that puts students right in the thick of active research. They work side by side with scientists and get a firsthand look at how research projects come together. Each participating George Mason research institute accepts around 10 applications. The Institute for Biohealth Innovation leveraged this opportunity to connect five PhD students with life science industry mentors.

Biosciences PhD candidate Ahana Byne returned to Ceres Nanosciences for her second summer, drawn back by the promise of its Nanotrap® technology to catch illnesses before symptoms appear. Ceres Nanosciences is a Manassas, Virginia-based company that’s licensed the university’s proprietary Nanotrap® particle technology and incorporated it into a range of diagnostic and research use products and workflows.

In the lab, Byne moved quickly from planning experiments to reviewing results and fixing problems, a pace far beyond what she was used to in academic research. “In academic settings, you’re usually focused on concocting new ideas and exploring them in depth,” said Byne. “In industry, it’s about clear processes and concrete results. Experiencing both has helped me see more clearly where I want to go next.”

Ben Lepene, Ceres Nanosciences director of research and development, served as Byne’s mentor. Lepene said Byne’s know-how and clear thinking helped the team gather data they rely on to support customers and answer questions about product performance. When asked for his best advice to Byne, Lepene said, “Keep good records and make sure results can be repeated, because in a commercial setting, consistency is everything.”

Ben Lepene, Ceres Nanosciences director of research and development, (left) served as PhD candidate Ahana Byne's mentor. Photo provided

At another Innovation District partner company, Virongy Biosciences, which develops virus-based research tools and diagnostics, bioscience doctoral student Lorreta Opoku spent her internship assembling and cloning alpha pseudoviruses for virology research. Progress came through careful and steady work, with small changes that moved the experiments ahead until the results fell into place.

“Successfully generating and validating my first batch of pseudoviruses was extremely satisfying,” said Opoku. Outside the lab, she spoke with clients, packed orders, and got them ready to send, which helped her learn the practical side of a research company.

At Tracked Biotechnologies LLC, kinesiology PhD student Ahmadreza Souri worked alongside mentor Michael Petr, the company’s CEO and chief scientist. They split their summer days between pilot clinical trials, grant proposals, and Institutional Review Board paperwork. That same brisk rhythm drives the company as it develops AI tools that let scientists, clinicians, and consumers explore human and animal behavior with speed and accuracy.

“Mentorship creates a strong foundation for aspiring professionals,” said Petr. “I make it a priority to teach mentees to the best of my ability and share how we approach commercialization in the context of research.”

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George Mason is part of Northern Virginia’s first innovation district, launched with transformational grant from GO Virginia

ckearney — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:34:37 +0000

George Mason is part of Northern Virginia’s first innovation district, launched with transformational grant from GO Virginia ckearney Tue, 07/01/2025 - 10:34

Thanks to a major investment from GO Virginia, Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District is taking shape, laying the groundwork for growth in high-tech industry sectors like life sciences, aerospace, defense, and semiconductors.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced last week that the commonwealth will invest $2.6 million into Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District, with an additional $1.3 million coming from local businesses, government, and higher education partners. The funding will help launch the Innovation District and roll out programs aimed at making Northern Virginia a national hub for research-driven industries, while giving residents the chance to pursue strong, lasting careers without leaving their communities.

This partial view of the 3,800-acre Innovation District in Prince William County and the City of Manassas highlights 91��’s SciTech Campus, with major employers like Micron in the background and the future town center site underway on the right. Photo by Prince William County Economic Development and Tourism

“GO Virginia continues to be a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, enabling regions to pursue economic opportunities aligned with state priorities,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin in announcing $6.8 million in state economic initiatives directed to talent development, cluster scale-up, regional site development, and startup ecosystem expansion “These projects reflect a collective commitment to building robust talent pipelines, supporting industry growth, and strengthening the economic competitiveness of every region in Virginia.”

The Innovation District, led by 91�� and in partnership with Prince William County and the City of Manassas, will accelerate scientific advancement, bolster startups and established employers, and create high-quality jobs.

“As Virginia’s largest public research university, George Mason is deeply focused on equipping students to lead and succeed in a dynamic workforce,” said Amy Adams, executive director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation at George Mason. “The Innovation District will connect education, research, and industry advancing innovation and improvements across the region while also giving students opportunities that extend beyond the classroom for real world impact.”

The district exemplifies the goals of GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of high-wage jobs in strategic industries. The funding will give local workers more ways to acquire new skills and stay ahead in fast-moving industries. It will also support the introduction of new technologies, help entrepreneurs navigate the commercialization process, and increase the region’s appeal to companies from around the world.

Prince William County and the City of Manassas are key partners in developing the 3,800-acre Innovation District. The district includes Innovation Park, which houses major employers such as NAL Research Corporation, American Type Culture Collection, and the newly rebranded NOVA Live, as well as the Innovation Town Center project with housing and retail development. The Manassas Regional Airport, nearby aerospace companies such as Electra.aero, and global employers along Godwin Drive, including Micron and BAE Systems, further strengthen its position as a growing technology hub.

During the planning study for the Innovation District, local business leaders identified talent development as a critical factor for growth and expansion.

George Mason’s emphasis on career preparation, corporate engagement, and translational research is an essential part of the Innovation District. The university is leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure, including its CAP/CLIA-certified Clinical Proteomics Laboratory, Nanofabrication Facility, and a multi-story laboratory for air and ground robotic and autonomous vehicles, to support research translation and workforce readiness. More than an academic anchor, the university is broadening real-world learning experiences and opening doors for students to contribute to the region’s evolving economy.

University-affiliated districts are important links in the country’s innovation infrastructure, offering regional strengths with national relevance. The Northern Virginia Innovation District includes the Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator, workforce programs tailored to local employer needs, and young professional networks connecting early-career talent across the area.

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