George Mason University said on the 3rd that it has officially launched the North Virginia International Softlanding Accelerator (NISA) program to support startups worldwide entering the U.S. market. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31.
NISA is a program that provides professional mentoring, networks, research infrastructure, and office and lab space free of charge so global startup corporations can quickly push forward with technology commercialization in the United States. It targets startups in a range of fields, including biotech, medical technology, diagnostics, digital health, and forensics. In addition to startup corporations from countries around the world, including Korea, corporations from other U.S. states and partner institutions can also participate.
Selected corporations will develop and commercialize their technologies by leveraging George Mason's advanced research facilities and local business and government networks. Resident corporations will be provided free research and office space for six months, and professional services needed to establish operations in the United States—such as legal, accounting, real estate, and finance—will also be supported.
The program is jointly operated by George Mason and the global accelerator Naugen, with economic development agencies and private partners in Prince William County and the Manassas area of Virginia collaborating. Operations will take place in the Northern Virginia "Innovation District," where George Mason's Science and Technology Campus is located.
George Mason's Korea campus will also collaborate to support Korean startups entering the United States. Through the on-campus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), it offers workshops, project-based learning, and one-on-one mentoring for early-stage founders, and teams with potential to enter the U.S. are consolidation to NISA and local networks.
Corporations wishing to participate should complete an online application and submit company introductions and technical materials through the official NISA 2025 website by the 31st.