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 Recipients
Representing 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

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