Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI)

Fairfax County officials are calling on local business owners and entrepreneurs to share their insights to the Spring 2026 Business Survey. Business owners can complete the questionnaire online by visiting https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/business-survey-spring-2026.The survey is designed to gather real-time data on the needs, challenges, and growth opportunities facing the county’s diverse business community. Feedback from the survey will be used to inform future county programs or refine business support resources.Participation in this survey ensures that the voices of local business owners are heard and that economic initiatives remain aligned with the evolving needs of the marketplace. The survey is open to all businesses located within Fairfax County, across industries and sizes. The data collection period will run for nearly four weeks, with the survey set to close on April 17. Results from the Spring 2026 survey will be analyzed and shared with the public later this spring to help guide strategic planning and economic development efforts. 

The Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI) has announced the selection of five trailblazing startups for the third cohort of the Fairfax Founders Fund (FFF). As a signature initiative of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, this competitive grant program serves as a pillar of the county's economic development strategy and Countywide Strategic Plan.These five awardees were chosen for their high-potential technology solutions and their ability to capitalize on immediate business growth opportunities. To date, the 13 awardees from the first two cohorts have demonstrated strong early traction, collectively securing $19.7 million in revenue and signed contracts and $3.8 million in grants and capital raised.The FFF provides critical early-stage funding of up to $50,000 and technical assistance to high-growth startups headquartered in Fairfax County. The program’s mission is to:Fuel economic development by nurturing innovation-led businesses and job creation, positioning emerging companies for subsequent investment rounds.Leverage Fairfax County's unique assets by integrating startups into local partnership networks and strengthening the region’s specialized technology clusters.Advance economic mobility by offering a dedicated source of early-stage capital to diverse-owned businesses. The program prioritizes outreach to underrepresented founders, including women, people of color, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.Meet the February 2025 Grant RecipientsRepresenting a cross-section of emerging industries, each of the following companies will receive a $50,000 grant to accelerate their trajectory:Aravenda (Fairfax, VA): An AI-powered resale economy platform. The company will utilize the funding to integrate directly with eBay, broadening its market reach and scaling operations.Bacchus Therapeutics (Falls Church, VA): A biotechnology firm advancing novel cancer treatments. Funding will support the transition of its lead drug candidate into the clinical development phase.CyberMirage, Inc. (Vienna, VA): A cybersecurity innovator protecting digital intellectual property from bots and piracy. The grant will be used to fuel customer acquisition and market expansion.Career Gateway, Inc. (Tysons, VA): An AI-enabled workforce training platform. The award will fund the enhancement of core features and the development of new system integrations.Zeracorp, Inc.<(Reston, VA): The developer of Zerapy, an AI-driven digital health platform for physical therapy. Following a successful pilot, funding will support the expansion of the platform's clinical capabilities."The Fairfax Founders Fund is more than seed capital to turn bold ideas into market-ready products – it’s a strategic investment in Fairfax county’s economic future," said Rebecca Moudry, Director of Fairfax County's Department of Economic Initiatives. "By supporting these five remarkable start-ups we are fueling the innovation that drives job creation, strengthens our competitive position, and ensures Fairfax County remains a premier destination for entrepreneurship and innovation to thrive."Beyond the Fairfax Founders Fund, the county provides a comprehensive support network for entrepreneurs, including the Accelerate Breakfast Series for investor connections and Fairfax CORE for business scaling resources. A formal recognition ceremony for the February 2025 cohort is scheduled for Spring 2025.For further details: Founders Fund Page| List of Awardees________________________________________