AED Partners with GMU on Startup and Investor Conference

November 14, 2025

AED partnered with George Mason University (GMU) on the 2025 Accelerate Investor Conference. The two-day conference ran Nov. 5-6 and centered around a startup pitch competition, featuring 30+ startup companies. Congrats to all of the companies who pitched throughout the event, though an extra special shoutout to these Arlington-based startups, Bowerbags, Critical Shift, Rohic, Torev Motors, ElectroTempo and Glacier21. Arlington startup ElectroTempo’s pitch earned a top spot, securing a $50,000 equity investment from GMU. This is the first year GMU has awarded an equity investment for finalist companies. 

The conference drew over 500 attendees from a national audience of startups, investors, government and tech ecosystem partners. The event is now in its fifth year, and Arlington has been a partner for each iteration. The conference has increased its list of partners to include neighboring Northern Virginia localities, including Fairfax and Prince William Counties. 

AED team members staffed a community table and had a chance to connect with over 15 Arlington-based startups, investors and other support organizations. Arlington County Board Member Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr. provided welcome remarks at the conference’s closing Gala.