Mason Enterprise Center

Mention in the Virginia Business Magazine

Fairfax, VA October 30, 2019: Innovation engine. GMU strives to jump-start high-reward ideas, feed tech pipeline.

The Emergent Ventures program’s goals support Mason’s overarching strategic goal of meeting “the demands of the commonwealth, the region and the world for dynamic, creative, collaborative thinkers, doers and problem-solvers.”

Mason’s commitment to tech talent is not limited to faculty and traditional university students but embraces entrepreneurs of all types, adult learners and even youngsters. The Mason Enterprise Center offers programs, services and resources for entrepreneurs of all experience levels — aspiring, start-up and established.

Mention in the Washingtonian

Leesburg, VA October 22, 2018: Leesburg (and Loudoun in general) is working hard to outgrow its country roots to become a hub for the tech industry. City planners have invested in tech-centric coworking spaces and business coaching. Their efforts are paying off—take the Mason Enterprise Center, an incubator where entrepreneurs can access resources from George Mason University and the Loudoun Small Business Development Center.

The Building People Awarded SBA 8(a) Small Business Certification

Leesburg, VA March 21, 2016 MEC-Leesburg member The Building People has been certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as an 8(a) Certified Small Business. The Building People’s CEO and founder, Lawrence Melton commented saying, “We’re very excited to have the certification and we recognize the opportunity this gives our firm. As we’ve expanded our Federal and commercial services over the last two years, we are proud of what we’ve provided our clients and are striving to make a larger impact this year in our drive toward moving our clients to greater efficiency, cost savings, and innovation.
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MEC-Leesburg Member Awarded T4NG IDIQ Contract at VA

Leesburg, VA March 7, 2016 B3 Group, Inc. (B3 Group) and its teammates (Team B3 Group) have been selected for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) multiple award Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology Program Next Generation (T4NG) contract. B3 Group was one of twenty companies for a Prime contract, selected out of a pool of hundreds of bidders for the contract.We look forward to continuing our service as a trusted VA partner and are immensely proud of our total team effort resulting in the award of this highly competitive contract.” said Dwight Hunt, B3 Group President and CEO
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MEC-Leesburg featured by Loudoun Now

Leesburg, VA March 9, 2016 MEC Regional Director Susan Henson was interviewed by students at C.S. Monroe Technology Center in partnership with Capitol Productions TV as part of the Loudoun Now video series “Loudoun Unscripted” Susan discussed our 1 Million Cups program, the Small Business Development Center, and our incubator program. The video also features our beautiful facility, hardworking members, and tells the story of MEC-Leesburg as Loudoun’s Hub of Entrepreneurship.
Watch Here

Senator Warner Visits MEC Leesburg to Talk Gigs and Cyber Security

Loudoun Times Mirror, Loudoun Now- February 18, 2016 United States Senator, Mark Warner visited the Hub of Entrepreneurship to host a round table discussion on cyber security and the on-demand economy. Touching on topics such as higher education and workforce development, filling gaps in cyber security employment, and startup funding for new cyber businesses, the Senator indicated “One of the challenges from today is going to be, how do you make sure that that small business voice is heard?”
Read more at Loudoun Times Mirror
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Omnilert Receives Innovative Solutions Consortium Award for Most Disruptive Technology

PR Newswire – November 18, 2015 MEC-Leesburg Member company Omnilert, the pioneer in mass emergency notification systems, announced today that its Scenarios Manager solution received the Innovative Solutions Consortium (ISC) Award for Most Disruptive Technology. This award is given to the innovation that the judges considered to be a compelling next generation advancement that will replace, rather than improve upon, current solutions. As part of Omnilert’s e2Campus offering, Scenario Manager gives schools and businesses a powerful new way to protect their people during campus emergencies and critical situations.
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Param Solutions Profiled by Entrepreneur.com

Entreprenuer.com – November 12, 2015 Entrepreneur.com recently featured MEC-Leesburg Member company Param Solutions as one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” The Information Technology business, which offers a multitude of solutions in human capital acquisition, custom application development, and cloud computing, was highlighted in the Entrepreneur360 performance index archetype of “controller” due to their careful
planning and research based decisions. Anil Kasibhatla, managing partner of Param said “To support our continued growth we became a member of MEC-Leesburg and by taking advantage of their outstanding ecosystem we hope to increase our foot print and give back to the local community.”
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Employment services assistance available for veterans

Discover – Fauquier — Sept. 2014: 36
If you know a local veteran in search of a job, there’s a unique service available. Veterans from all periods of military service are eligible for job referral, job training, and job placement assistance the through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). As a community outreach service, the VEC-Charlottesville Veterans’ Rep will be available at the Mason Enterprise Center (70 Main Street, Warrenton) on September 18 as well as the third Thursday of every month from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
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Business incubator to host job-search program for Fauquier veterans

Fauquier Times — Jul. 17, 2014
The Mason Enterprise Center in Warrenton will host a job-search program for military veterans, in a new push from Fauquier County’s government to do right by the active and retired service members who form a significant portion of the population.
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A Wealth of Opportunity at the Mason Enterprise Center

Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine — July 2014
The Mason Enterprise Center program, with offices in Springfield, Fairfax, Leesburg, Manassas, and as of 2013, Warrenton, has an unparallelled history of providing groundbreaking facilities and assistance to Virginia’s newest business owners. The direct result of this program: 21,000 new jobs have been created throughout the region. As George Mason’s newest business development community, the training and resources available in Warrenton through the enterprise center positions Fauquier County in an ideal posture for economic growth and opportunity. Unlike typical executive suites, the program is designed to be a true incubator.
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Hospice of the Rapidan opens office on Main Street Warrenton

Fauquier Times — Jun. 23, 2014
The Mason Enterprise Center business incubator in Old Town has picked up a new, high-profile occupant. Hospice of the Rapidan has opened a new location at 70 Main Street, Suite 23, to better serve residents of Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties. From this new site, hospice nurses and staff members will have easier access to local patients, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
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Mason Center promotes innovative App-titude

Lessburg Today – Jun. 20, 2014
The Mason Enterprise Center in Leesburg has become a hub for companies specializing in mobile and web application development. Regional Manager Susan Henson said the center draws developers who want to interact and collaborate with others in the growing field through its meet-up groups.
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Three Loudoun companies pitch at AOL’s Tech Buzz

Loudoun Times – Jun. 19, 2014
Three Loudoun-based tech entrepreneurs pitched their start-up businesses to a crowd of hundreds June 18 at AOL’s Fish Bowl Labs in Dulles.Tech Buzz, which started in 2011, is a series of start-up presentations that allow company owners to pitch their ideas to investors while receiving feedback and guidance. Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, a private capital investment association which attempts to connect innovative companies with private capital partners, suppliers and key advisers, hosted the event. Julia Spicer, executive director of MAVA, began the proceedings by explaining that of the 200 applicants in the pool, 20 of which were chosen to pitch.
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Leesburg social tech company GoPop seeks to change how we talk about the tube

Loudoun Times – Jun. 18, 2014
GoPop.tv, the application he and two other co-founders have started, grew out of the understanding that people love to interact with what they’re watching on television. Last year more than 14 million tweets were sent during the Academy Awards exclusively about the Academy Awards. It also produced the most re-tweeted single post in Twitter history – Ellen DeGeneres The previous record for most re-tweets was a photo of President Barack Obama during re-election.
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Rep. Robert Hurt: Benghazi inquiry shouldn’t be political

Fauquier Times — May 15, 2014
Hurt, who represents most of Fauquier County, was in Warrenton to visit the Mason Enterprise Center business incubator.
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GMU, county government open business incubator

FauquierNow — Mar. 31, 2014
Fauquier entrepreneurs have a new place to grow fledgling businesses.
The Mason Enterprise Center opened early this month at 70 Main St. in Warrenton.
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Business incubator could open soon in Warrenton

Fauquier Now — Nov. 21, 2013
George Mason University could open a business incubator in Old Town Warrenton by February.
Fauquier County Economic Development Director Miles Friedman will present a lease for the space to the board of supervisors Dec. 12.
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Mason Enterprise Center to rent on Main Street

Fauquier Times — Nov. 15, 2013
Businesses in Fauquier County look like they will have a new friend in downtown Warrenton soon.
On Thursday, the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors permitted the county’s Economic Development Department to negotiate a spot in the 70 Main Street building for the new Mason Enterprise Center.
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Mason Enterprise Center Top Global University Business Incubator

Oct. 1, 2013
The Mason Enterprise Center at George Mason University was recently named as one of the Top 10 U.S. and Top 20 Global University Business Incubators by the UBI Index.
Based in Stockholm Sweden, the UBI Index is a European research initiative with an international research team specializing in incubation and entrepreneurship indexes. This was UBI’s first global benchmark study of university business incubators.
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Business incubator sites identified in Warrenton

Fauquier Times — Aug. 10, 2013
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors got its first look Thursday at possible locations for the George Mason University Mason Enterprise Center.
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3 Warrenton sites studied for business incubator

FauquierNow — Aug. 9, 2013
Fauquier’s supervisors this week expressed enthusiastic but guarded support for creation of a business incubator/accelerator that could represent a multimillion-dollar investment.
Economic Development Director Miles Friedman outlined three options for housing the center, which the county would operate in cooperation with George Mason University.
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International Business and Entrepreneur Internship Program

Jul. 31, 2013
This summer ten students from KTO Karatay University (Turkey) and two officials from MARA (a government business/university economic development organization in Malaysia) came to the United States to be part of a 6-week International Business and Entrepreneur Training and Internship Program at the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) in Fairfax. All participants are staying in summer student housing on the Fairfax campus which is conveniently located ten minutes from downtown Fairfax City and the MEC.
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City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority Announces Business Awards and Networking Breakfast

Jul. 31, 2013
The City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority (EDA) is pleased to host its first economic forum and business appreciation breakfast. This event will be held at the Old Town Hall on the morning of May 13, 2009 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The EDA has invited the Greater Washington Initiative to present on regional business trends and outline its annual report. Professor Stephen Fuller, from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, will present a research paper on the City of Fairfax’s local economy, including projections for potential business opportunities. Other invited guests include Mayor Robert Lederer, Virginia State Senator Chap Petersen and Virginia State Delegate David Bulova.
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City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority Announces Business Awards and Networking Breakfast

Trio of Warrenton sites identified for new business incubator

Fauquier Times — Jul. 24, 2013
The Fauquier County Economic Development team has helped identify three potential sites in Warrenton for a new Mason Enterprise Center, according to department Director Miles Friedman.
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‘1 Million Cups,’ a forum for start-ups, comes to Loudoun

The Washington Post – Jul. 22, 2013
Ideas and coffee were flowing freely last week, when more than a dozen entrepreneurs got together at the Mason Enterprise Center in Leesburg. The occasion was one of a new series of local gatherings organized under the banner of “1 Million Cups,” a national initiative started by the Kauffman Foundation to promote development of new businesses. Every Wednesday, entrepreneurs meet from 9 to 10 a.m. in cities across the country to network and share ideas for improving their businesses.
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Location, location, location: A small business incubator gains traction with HUBZone designation

Washington Business Journal – May 31, 2013
Susan Henson didn’t realize that the small business incubator she managed in Leesburg was in a “highly underutilized business zone” until she got a phone call in February. “A business contacted us and said, ‘We’re interested in space in your incubator now that you’re in a HUBZone.’” I thought, really? And immediately realized we should market this.
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Fauquier supervisors will hear MEC presentation Thursday

Fauquier Times — May 8, 2013
On Thursday afternoon, MEC Executive Director Keith B. Segerson and Fauquier County Economic Development Director Miles Friedman will give a presentation on the MEC to the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors.
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In Leesburg, Kaine highlights movement on economic policies

Loudoun Times – May 6, 2013
On his four-month anniversary as a U.S. senator, Democrat Tim Kaine visited Leesburg Friday to speak with a group of small business owners and entrepreneurs about legislation he supports to make the state and nation’s economic environment more vibrant.
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Four Months In: Sen. Kaine Holds Q & A With Local Entrepreneurs

Leesburg Today – May 6, 2013
“Thank you. Loudoun treated me real well.” That’s how Tim Kaine, Virginia’s newest Senator, started an informal roundtable discussion with a group of Loudoun County small business owners at the Mason Enterprise Center Friday afternoon. The day marked his fourth month in office after a heated campaign against former Virginia Gov. George Allen that brought the two through Loudoun frequently last year.
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MEC Leesburg Chamber Article

Chamber Magazine 2013
Although George Mason University’s (Mason) main campus is in Fairfax, its presence is widely felt throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Mason Enterprise Centers and their affiliated offices, centers, campuses, and incubators.
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Women to watch Susan Henson

Loudoun Business Journal – November 2012
Sometimes your passion finds you when you can’t find it. That’s what happened to Susan Henson, the regional manager of Leesburg Mason Enterprise Center.
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MEC-Fairfax Graduates Two More Entrepreneurs: Fairfield Technologies Inc. and Secure Infrastructure Solutions Corporation (SISC)

May 14, 2007
Fairfield Technologies Inc. (FTI) and Secure Infrastructure Solutions Corporation (SISC). FIC Graduation will occur May 17, 2007 at 4:00 PM at FIC, located at 4031 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. MECFairfax is a business incubator located at the Mason Enterprise Center in Old Town Fairfax that provides networking opportunities, access to business advisors and training, discounts on educational programs, as well as furnished office space, telephone, and receptionist for start-up companies. The goal is to nurture their growth and eventual graduation to their own location. Businesses can remain at FIC for up to two years.
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Blue Collar Objects Graduates from Fairfax Innovation Center, Moves into Expanded Offices

May 11, 2006
Blue Collar Objects LLC. FIC Graduation will occur May 12, 2006.Blue Collar Objects (BCO) has been an incubator client of MECFairfax since 2002, and in 2005, received the annual Donna Noble Outstanding Incubator Client Award from the Virginia Business Incubation Association which recognizes the top incubator client in the state.Blue Collar Objects experienced a ten-fold increase in size during its tenure at FIC, with over 40 employees and 2005 revenues approaching $5 million. Solomon Thompson, Jr. is the CEO and President.
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MEC-Fairfax Open House Event Draws Important Dignitaries, MEC-Fairfax Honored with U.S. Flag Presentation

Feb. 3, 2006
The Inaugural Open House Event held on Monday, January 30, 2006 at Fairfax Innovation Center (FIC) drew important dignitaries including Christian Curto, Outreach Coordinator for U.S. Congressman Tom Davis, George Mason University President Dr. Alan Merten, Mason Enterprise Center Director Dr. Roger Stough, and Dale Lestina, Chairman of the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority.To honor Fairfax Innovation Center’s important contributions to the economic development of Fairfax, Mr. Curto presented FIC Director Judy Barral with an American flag that was recently flown over the U.S. Capitol building in honor of the Fairfax Innovation Center. A ribbon cutting was performed immediately following.
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Woman-Owned Dexisive, Inc. Opens in the MECFairfax

Dec. 13 , 2005
Dexisive, Inc. has opened for business in the MECFairfax at 4031 University Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Dexisive is an information technology systems integrator specializing in advanced network technologies, enterprise security, and infrastructure application deployment, with expertise in network technologies including IPV6 planning and deployment, and VoIP integration.Dr. Jack Murphy, President and CEO of Dexisive explains, “We provide technology solutions that are reliable, scalable, secure, and manageable in order to reduce IT to a utility service that enhances agility for our clients.”
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MEC-Fairfax Announces New Name and Logo

Aug. 8, 2005
Director Judy Barral announces the new name of Fairfax Innovation Center. Previously the center had been known as the Small Business Accelerator of the Mason Enterprise Center. A branding campaign accompanies the new name, including a new logo, marketing materials, and web site, along with public relations initiatives.
“Our program is a joint venture of George Mason University and the City of Fairfax, yet we understand the significance of creating a unique identity and brand for the Fairfax Innovation Center,” says Barral. “Since we concentrate on helping entrepreneurs in the City of Fairfax, we think the new name reflects more of who we are and who we serve.”
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MEC-Fairfax Awards Branding And Public Relations Contract To River City Marketing, LLC

Jun. 13, 2005
River City Marketing, LLC has been retained by Fairfax Innovation Center to develop and implement a branding and strategic public relations campaign focusing on enhancing corporate identity and awareness for its Business Accelerator Program. The integrated branding effort includes development of a new logo, new marketing materials, and a web site, as well as public relations initiatives.
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MEC-Fairfax Director Featured Presenter at National Conference

May 23, 2005
Fairfax Innovation Center director Judy Barral was a featured presenter at the National Business Incubators Association’s 19th International Conference on Business Incubation held in May 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland. Barral led a roundtable discussion on International Incubation. Joining in the presentation were Marshall Ferrin, Director of the International Business Development program at the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC), Dr. Roger Stough, Associate Dean of Research at the School of Public Policy and Director of the Mason Enterprise Center, and Dr. Toshi Oshi, former incubator client of the International program and now CEO of CoreMed, LLC.
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