George Mason University, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas today announced Nexus234 Innovation District as the official name of the nearly 6,000-acre destination during a naming event in Manassas, Virginia. Nexus234 is where ideas and talent converge with advanced technology and specialized infrastructure, creating an expandable power hub for collaboration and market-ready innovation in Northern Virginia.

Centered in and around Innovation Park with Route 234 as the central corridor, Nexus234 connects researchers, entrepreneurs, and a growing cluster of technology companies – from startups to global firms – alongside George Mason’s Science & Technology Campus, which anchors the district’s research and innovation ecosystem. Nexus234 supports industries spanning life sciences, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, data centers, and AI infrastructure.

Designed to accelerate the path from discovery to deployment, Nexus234 provides an environment where research, workforce training, and industry collaboration intersect to support economic growth and commercialization.

“Since 1997, George Mason has been at the heart of Nexus234,” said President Gregory Washington, George Mason University. “Collaborating with local businesses and government, channeling bold ideas into research, discovery, and invention, and working in partnership with Northern Virginia Community College to train a pipeline of workers to successfully enter high-demand fields. We stand behind the leaders who came before us, who set this district in motion.”

Conveniently located with access to Interstate 66 and major rail corridors, and Manassas Regional Airport, as well as proximity to Washington Dulles International Airport, Nexus234 offers connectivity that supports both business growth and regional accessibility.

Today’s naming event coincided with the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) conference, which brought visitors to the region to tour Nexus234 and engage with researchers, students, and companies, including Micron, General Dynamics’ Progeny Systems, and American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Attendees also learned about workforce training programs, an international soft-landing initiative, and the dynamic entertainment NOVA LIVE campus. Leaders emphasized Nexus234’s competitive advantage for companies seeking proximity to research institutions and a highly skilled workforce. Development includes tech-flex industrial space, incubator and accelerator programs, and sites for commercial and mixed-use expansion.

“Prince William County is building a destination for discovery,” said Chair-at-Large Deshundra Jefferson, Prince William Board of County Supervisors. “Nexus234 reflects our long-term strategy to attract high-value industries, support groundbreaking research, and ensure companies have the space, talent, and infrastructure they need to grow.”

Building on 30 years of public-private collaboration, regional partners formalized the innovation network through a $2.6M GO Virginia grant to create Northern Virginia’s first innovation district in June 2025. This was matched by $1.3M in local investments. Founding partners include ATCC, Didlake, ECU Communications, Dominion Energy, Employment Enterprises Inc., I-66 Express Mobility Partners, Garcia Family Foundation, Micron, Northern Virginia Community College, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC).

“Nexus234 serves as a front door for companies like ours,” said Ross Dunlap, CEO of Ceres Nanosciences. “As the first Endeavor incubator graduate, we have continued to grow within the innovation district and now operate more than 12,000 square feet of wet‑lab and manufacturing space, supporting the global distribution of our products. We’ve benefited from collaboration with local scientists, access to shared university facilities and equipment, hiring local talent, and regular opportunities to engage.”

Nexus234 includes approximately 330 acres available for laboratory, R&D, manufacturing, and office development, with a portion of land publicly controlled to support coordinated public-private growth.

“Beyond economic metrics, Nexus234 represents a community investment — creating high-quality jobs, generating a new tax base, and reinforcing Manassas as a place where historic charm and forward-looking innovation come together,” said Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, City of Manassas. “As new companies are generated, and local and existing firms expand, the district is poised to become a nationally recognized destination for research and advanced industry.”

By supporting both emerging startups and established companies, Nexus234 brings together research, infrastructure, workforce talent, and industry partnerships with the connectivity and access needed to support growth at scale. With proximity to federal agencies, major transportation networks, and one of the nation’s largest data center ecosystems, Nexus234 positions the region to attract and support companies operating at the forefront of technology and applied research.

To learn more about the Nexus234 Innovation District and access a full range of assets, visit nexus234.org.