GO Virginia

State initiative funding regional collaborations that create high-paying jobs

Government AgencyDMV-wide

About GO Virginia

What it is

GO Virginia (Growth and Opportunity Virginia) is a state program that uses financial incentives to encourage business, education and government to collaborate on regional economic growth and private-sector job creation. It began as a business-led coalition in July 2015, and its enabling legislation, the Collaborative Economic Development Act, passed in April 2016. A state Growth and Opportunity Board awards funds, nine regional councils develop and submit projects, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the program, and the GO Virginia Foundation handles education and advocacy.

What it funds

According to DHCD's program manual, GO Virginia supports four strategies: workforce development, cluster scale-up for small and mid-sized companies, the start-up ecosystem, and site development and infrastructure. Startup ecosystem projects can include incubators, accelerators and Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative work aligned with a region's target industries. Funding types include per capita allocations to each region, planning grants, and statewide competitive funds for projects involving two or more regions. Grants require matching funds, and at least two local governments must participate in each project.

Who it is for

Founders should know that individual private businesses cannot apply for GO Virginia funding, and projects that benefit a single company are ineligible. Eligible applicants are local governments and organizations working on their behalf, such as nonprofits, regional economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, planning district commissions, and colleges and universities. Founders benefit indirectly, through accelerators, entrepreneurship programs, talent pipelines and research partnerships that these grants pay for.

Northern Virginia: Region 7

For DMV founders, the most relevant council is Region 7, covering Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. Its priority clusters include software, data science and AI; cybersecurity; consulting and engineering; financial services; life sciences and healthcare; research organizations; and emerging technologies such as quantum computing. Funded examples on its page include a $3.7 million grant to George Mason University for a Virginia Quantum Hub.

How to engage

Organizations with a project idea should contact the regional council for the area where the project would be located; the regions page has a locality finder. Founders can track which programs have been funded through GO Virginia news and look for accelerators or entrepreneurship initiatives in their region. Administrative details are on DHCD's GO Virginia page.

Programs

Per Capita Project Funds
Funds allocated to each of the nine regions by population for planning and implementation projects that build infrastructure for higher-paying jobs.
Statewide Competitive Funds
Funding for projects of statewide or interregional significance that involve two or more regions.
Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative
Per capita funded projects to strengthen regional startup ecosystems, aligned with each region's target industries.
Talent Pathways Initiative
Planning support for regions to assess workforce needs and align skills training with job opportunities.

Who it serves

Local governments, universities, nonprofits and regional economic development organizations across Virginia that design projects benefiting traded-sector industries, with founders benefiting indirectly through the programs these grants fund.

Frequently asked questions

Can my startup apply for a GO Virginia grant?

No. DHCD's program manual states that individual private businesses may not apply, and projects that could be seen as benefiting one company are ineligible. Startups benefit through accelerators, entrepreneurship programs and talent projects run by eligible organizations.

Who can apply for GO Virginia funding?

Local government entities or organizations working on their behalf, such as nonprofits, regional economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, planning district commissions, and colleges and universities. Projects need at least two participating localities and matching funds.

Which GO Virginia region covers Northern Virginia?

Region 7, which covers Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

How do I start a GO Virginia project?

Contact the regional council for the area where the project would take place. The GO Virginia regions page includes a locality finder, and DHCD administers the program and publishes guidance for applicants.