What it is
GO Northern Virginia is the Region 7 council of GO Virginia, a bipartisan, business-led economic development initiative that aims to create higher paying jobs, grow the private sector and diversify the economy through regional collaboration. Region 7 covers Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. The council reviews and recommends projects, and the statewide GO Virginia board, supported by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, gives final approval. The regional office is in Fairfax.
What it funds
All proposals must align with the region's Growth and Diversification Plan and address at least one of four target clusters: computer services, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and life sciences. According to the site, the region has funded 40 projects totaling $31.4 million. Grant types include:
- Planning, feasibility or pilot grants: studies, pre-development work and business, workforce or innovation strategies, awarded first come, first served each year.
- Per capita grants: implementation projects such as workforce development, business accelerators and site development.
- Statewide competitive grants: larger implementation projects, stronger when they involve two or more regions.
Recent awards listed on the site include the Virginia Quantum Hub at George Mason University, the National Innovation Quarter innovation district in National Landing, and the LIFT-VA life sciences training program. Earlier approved projects include the Virginia Cyber Skills Accelerator, the ICAP Mentor Expansion Project, Smart City Works and the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center.
Who it is for
Individual private businesses cannot apply, and no grant may benefit a single private company. Eligible applicants include local and regional government entities, nonprofits, regional economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, planning district commissions, and colleges and universities. Founders benefit indirectly by joining the accelerators, mentorship, talent pipelines and innovation spaces these grants fund, or by partnering with an eligible organization on a proposal.
How to engage
Organizations should read the GO Virginia Program Manual and the How to Apply page, confirm the project has support from at least two localities, and secure matching funds from non-state sources. Per capita and statewide competitive requests start with a letter of intent, and applicants should contact the regional coordinator at coordinator@gonorthernva.com first. For the Q1 2027 cycle, letters of intent are due October 23, 2026 and final applications December 17, 2026. Council meetings and agendas are posted on the site's calendar and resources pages.
Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem
GO Northern Virginia is a major regional source of state money for startup support infrastructure in Northern Virginia's tech economy. Knowing which programs it funds helps founders find accelerators, mentors and talent programs, and helps ecosystem builders plan fundable, multi-partner initiatives.
