Smart Region Initiative
Northern Virginia and Greater Washington DC
Our Vision
Transform Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington region into a global urban innovation hub and national testbed for digital services and capabilities that improve the livability, sustainability, health, and resilience of cities.

South-by-Southwest (SXSW)
We are excited to announce that Smart City Works and our partner European American Enterprise Council (EAEC) are attending South-by-Southwest (SXSW)!
We will feature seven Northern Virginia companies under our regional booth and connect them with dozens of potential clients and investors, encouraging economic partnerships and development in our region. In addition, EAEC will provide expert preparation guidance and matchmaking support to create fruitful and lasting investment relations.
If you are registered to attend SXSW, please connect with us by searching for Smart City Works in the Expo Platform. See you there!
GOVA Grant – Investment and Growth
Smart City Works, with partners Washington DC ArchAngels and VA Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), announced a new grant award supporting the Northern Virginia Smart Region Initiative. The $1.9 million grant was approved by the Virginia Growth and Opportunity State Board.
With the Go Northern Virginia grant, Smart City Works will fill a much-needed gap supporting high-growth, technology start-ups and SMEs in Northern Virginia; accelerating their growth; and creating commercialization pathways to spur sustained near- and long-term economic development.
Program Activities and Expected Outcomes
Angel Investor Training:
Recruit and train 120 accredited angel investors
Expand Business Acceleration Program:
Build high growth urban tech ventures that improve the livability, sustainability, and resilience of cities
Create Testbed and Pilot Opportunities and other pathways to commercialization:
4 testbeds and 10 project pilots and Innovation Challenges
Other Supporting Partners:
- Fairfax County
- Arlington County
- Fauquier County
- Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
- Herndon County
- City of Manassas
- Prince William County
- Stafford County
Private Sector
- Alpha Corporation,
- Mitre,
- WSP USA
The Smart Region Initiative, powered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s i6 Economic Development Challenge grant, brings together governments, universities, businesses, and non-profit organizations to foster the the development of a dynamic smart city technology innovation cluster to tackle local urban challenges and expand regional economic growth in Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington Region. Along with our partners from the private sector and local government, our goal is to make Northern Virginia the forefront of new innovation, new ways of doing business, and a new locus of economic growth and vitality that leads the nation.
Making an impact.
Accelerator Program Targets
companies assessed
cohort companies graduated
cohort companies led by women, minorities and veterans
new products launched by cohort companies
pilot/test beds established
Our Partners

Our goals to meet.
60 Graduates
from our Apprenticeship Program
18 Smart Region Events
including demo days, thought leadership event, pitch competitions and networking events
90 Jobs
created or retained
$9 Million Invested
in cohort companies