Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Tech startups with high-growth potential chosen for Alexandria business accelerator

Published August 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

Railroad view from the Potomac Yard Metro station in January 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Eleven tech startups with high prospects of growth have joined Alexandria’s first-ever tech accelerator program, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership announced with program manager FedTech and the City of Alexandria Wednesday (Aug. 12).

The 11 participants were chosen among 41 applications for the Accelerate ALX program beginning in August. According to AEDP, the companies “represent high-growth sectors including defense, aerospace, health tech, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and cybersecurity.”

News

New program to get Alexandria food business entrepreneurs ‘from idea to opening day’

By Emily Leayman

Published July 15, 2026 at 11:45AM

A restaurant kitchen (via Jaz. Mine/Unsplash)

As the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership is working to launch a business accelerator for tech companies, another for food businesses is on the horizon.

AEDP is partnering with the MOVE Chamber for minority business leaders on the new Alexandria Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program for entrepreneurs looking to start a restaurant, food truck, bakery, catering company or packaged food brand. It will run Aug. 5 to Sept. 9 from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

News

National Innovation Quarter gets state funding to launch Alexandria tech lab

By Emily Leayman

Published July 7, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated July 7, 2026 at 5:13PM

Virginia Tech in the background of the Potomac Yard Shopping Center (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

An innovation lab based in Alexandria will be launched through state grants for the new National Innovation Quarter.

The innovation district, launched in February in the area of Arlington and Alexandria called National Landing, received $3.93 million in Go Virginia grants to start up programming. Nearly $2 million in local matching grants will also support the innovation district.

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AEDP seeks tech startups to join business accelerator program starting this summer

By Emily Leayman

Published June 1, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria skyline viewed from Belle View (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As Alexandria seeks to increase the presence of high-growth tech businesses, it is inviting startups to participate in Accelerate ALX, the city’s first business accelerator program.

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership opened applications for its first cohort of tech startups. The program, led by Arlington-based FedTech, will offer one-on-one mentorship, workshops and networking support for Alexandria-based startups in artificial intelligence/machine learning, cybersecurity, defense, quantum, energy, aerospace, robotics, and computer services. Accelerate ALX will be offered to startups at no cost or equity taken.

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AEDP taps FedTech to launch Alexandria’s summer business accelerator

By James Cullum

Published May 11, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership announced today that Arlington-based FedTech will help launch and manage the city’s new business accelerator this summer.

AEDP received more than 20 proposals from companies to help manage a “high-touch cohort program for up to 15 Alexandria start-ups in high-growth sectors, including robotics, aerospace, quantum, AI, energy tech, computer services, cybersecurity, and defense,” AEDP said in a release. The accelerator is the first strategy outlined in the ALX Forward framework, a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future approved by City Council in January.

Around Town

Alexandria paralegal spends weekends leading tours of local Korean cuisine

By Katie Taranto

Published April 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Soomin Kim leads a Virginialicious tour (courtesy of Virginialicious)

An Alexandria-based food tour company is celebrating two years of teaching people about the local Korean culinary scene.

Alexandria resident Soomin “Mina” Kim spends her weekdays immersed in the world of law as a paralegal in Old Town. But her weekends are reserved for Annandale in Fairfax County, where she guides culinary Koreatown adventures for her small business, Virginialicious.

News

More than 20 operator proposals received for Alexandria’s new tech accelerator

By Emily Leayman

Published April 1, 2026 at 10:00AM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A program operator for a new tech startup accelerator will be selected in mid-April after the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership received numerous applications through its request for proposals process.

AEDP is launching the accelerator program to support new tech startups based in the city — the first direct support the organization has provided for startups in these industries. Attracting high-growth industries and boosting support for entrepreneurs is one of the strategies in ALX Forward, a roadmap for the city’s future economic growth recently approved by City Council.

Around Town

Alexandria resident launches new app to help job hunters tailor resumes

By Katie Taranto

Published March 12, 2026 at 10:40AM

Craig Certo and dog, Frank (courtesy of Craig Certo)

A software developer in Alexandria is piloting a new digital tool to help job seekers improve their resumes.

Craig Certo created Career Catalyst last year. It’s an application designed to cross-analyze a user’s resume and offer fine-tuned editing suggestions based on job postings they’re applying for.

News

New startup accelerator program seeks to foster tech company growth in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published March 4, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard (staff photo by James Cullum)

An accelerator program to support new tech startups is launching in the city, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership announced today (Wednesday).

The program will provide mentorship, coaching, technical support, capital connections and structured founder engagement for up to 15 startups over four to six months. It will serve startups in high-growth sectors such as robotics, aerospace, quantum, artificial intelligence (AI), energy tech, computer services, cybersecurity and defense.

Around Town

Old Town couple cuts ribbon on ‘Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe’ at Braddock Metro Center

By Katie Taranto

Published February 11, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mary Ardolino cuts the ribbon on Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe with her husband, chef Subheesh Manikoth (second from right), surrounded by friends and family (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A local Indian restaurant founded by an Old Town couple is celebrating the start of a new chapter in Alexandria.

After about 18 months of planning and renovations, Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe is reopening in a new space on the ground floor of 1320 Braddock Place in Suite 105. It’s a hard-earned milestone for the business, which grappled with unexpected delays and rising renovation costs to reopen after departing from an Arlington VFW post in summer 2024, following a zoning dispute.

News

City Council approves plan to boost Alexandria’s economic growth amid challenges

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 3:48PM

Stephanie Landrum, CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future last night (Tuesday) as the city tries to strengthen its economic competitiveness.

The ALX Forward framework will shape how the city pursues economic growth, from development to business recruitment and retention. It details strategies like leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses; attracting industries like artificial intelligence and strengthening support for entrepreneurs.