Arlington Innovation Fund

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The Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF), an Arlington Economic Development program, is comprised of two initiatives, the Catalyst Grant Program and the Tech Ecosystem Support Fund. AIF was designed to encourage the growth and success of Arlington technology startups by providing access to capital and enhancing the local tech ecosystem through sponsoring unique initiatives and programming. Originally a $1 million fund adopted into the FY24 Arlington County Budget, AIF has received additional funds to continue its support of Arlington's tech ecosystem in FY25.

Ecosystem Support Fund

The Ecosystem Support Fund is a discretionary tool for Arlington Economic Development to support local and regional programming and strategic initiatives focused on advancing the local and regional technology ecosystem. The goal of this fund is to boost local programming for the startup community and raise Arlington’s profile as a nationally recognized tech ecosystem.

If you’re working on an event that could add value to the regional innovation ecosystem, we invite you to connect with us.

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For examples of the kinds of events and partnerships we support, check out the stories below.

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Tech Ecosystem Support Fund

The Tech Ecosystem Support Fund supports local and regional programming that focuses on the tech ecosystem in Arlington and Northern Virginia. In the first year of the fund, AED is proud to have partnered with many regional innovation partners to bring valuable content to Arlington. See below for ways in which the Ecosystem Support Fund is making a difference. If you or your organization are planning content that centers around support for the innovation community and would like to find out how AED can be involved, please reach out to Tally Wolff, Startup Ecosystem Manager.

Tech Ecosystem Support Partnerships

Catalyst Grant Program

The Catalyst Grant Program awarded non-dilutive co-investment grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 to nine eligible Arlington-based startups. Qualifying companies were early-stage ventures, and their grant funds are available to be used for hiring employees, conducting research and development, occupying commercial real estate and for other business related expenses. Applications were evaluated through a competitive process.

Cohort II Grantees

Data Parrot — an AI company enhancing businesses' understanding of customer data.
KnoNap — a health tech company dedicated to combating drink spiking with their innovative beverage drug test kits.
Pryze App — an HR-tech company aiming to increase productivity and retention among deskless workers.
SportAI — an AI company democratizing analytics for fantasy sports and sports betting

Cohort I Grantees

Dispatcher Technologies, LLC — a cleantech company that develops software to reduce the energy costs and carbon emissions of cogeneration plants, power plants that recycle exhaust to heat nearby buildings.
Freely Payments, LLC — a fintech company that empowers vendors and suppliers to accept credit card payments from their customers without paying processing costs.
GenLogs Corporation — an artificial intelligence company that optimizes ground freight supply chains by deploying a distributed sensor network throughout major US freight lanes.
Phalanx — a cybersecurity company specializing in lightweight data loss prevention and document mapping solutions.
Seamless Transition — a medical device company creating a prosthetic knee that mimics the movement of natural human limbs allowing service members and civilians with disabilities to regain their natural mobility and maintain active lifestyles.