Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI)

Fairfax County and George Mason University have established a strategic partnership to fund the Accelerate Breakfast Series, a regularly occurring breakfast event that brings together entrepreneurs and investors for curated pitch opportunities, to support growth of the local entrepreneurial network.  The program, funded by a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors through the Economic Opportunity Reserve, will bolster Fairfax County and the region’s start-up ecosystem to drive investment to local companies.
 

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The Accelerate Smart Cities Challenge matches innovative solutions to urban challenges, then tests them in real metropolitan conditions within VA and DC. It is a six-week innovation competition to make our region smarter, more livable, resilient, and sustainable for everyone.   This challenge is one of a series of innovation challenges Fairfax County and Smart City Works are hosting, to harness the best and brightest ideas to solve today’s (and tomorrow’s) challenges. By partnering and hosting these events, Fairfax County is leading the way to identify growing issues and quickly find and test solutions.

Asoleyo is a Virginia-based innovative start up in the green energy space that is redesigning solar cells to be not only functionally effective and efficient but also aesthetically attractive. They were chosen to pilot their innovative technology solution with Fairfax County after being chosen as a Smart City Challenge award recipient. That event evaluated solutions to housing, transportation, health, energy, public safety, and other civic and social issues.

Asoleyo’ s first Fairfax-supported project will be a public private venture with the county’s Department of Economic Initiatives, and the Reston Community Center.

In 2020, Fairfax County dedicated a full-time staff person to work directly with Fort Belvoir and the Garrison Command. The liaison position supports Fort Belvoir as a strategic economic development driver in Fairfax County and drives collaboration for mutually beneficial projects. 

The DEI liaison with Fort Belvoir continues to yield significant results. Increased collaboration, communications and regular meetings have set the stage for projects that will benefit the personnel on the base as well as the surrounding Fairfax County community.