In October, George Mason University hosted its fourth annual Accelerate Investor Conference in Arlington, Virginia.
The Accelerate Investor Conference spurs the region’s innovation and startup ecosystem engagement to a new level and showcases the Virginia, Maryland, and metropolitan Washington, D.C., region as a destination for business development, venture investment, and job creation.
Each year the event grows in size and stature. This year Mason Enterprise, which plans the event, reports there were 480 registered attendees, 19 speakers, 48 company pitches, 72 investors judged and participated, and 14 student teams that pitched.
The competition targeted entrepreneurs with early to mid-seed stage, high-growth businesses with the potential to have an immediate and positive impact on our local economy, as well as student concepts with longer-term business viability. After days of networking, engagement, and education, the winners were selected.
Company Winner: AGED Diagnostics
Student Winners: CarbonSecure, light your path, and DigitAIRE
"Accelerate 2024 has once again showcased the immense talent and innovation within our tech community," said Paula Sorrell, associate vice president of innovation and economic development at George Mason. "We've seen extraordinary companies that will shape the future of our local economy. The level of creativity and ambition has been inspiring."
The Mason Enterprise team helps recruit companies and investors, curates the program geared toward growing the tech economy in the region, and coaches the companies and students to pitch for funding, said Paula Sorrell.
Local sponsors support the event. Among this year’s sponsors were the nonprofit Smart City Works, GO Virginia, and Marymount University.
Companies that pitched in the first three years of the conference have gone on to raise $72 million in follow-on funding, and two companies have successfully exited.
"We can't wait to see what this new crew of entrepreneurs achieves," said Sorrell.