This article is written and sponsored by Arlington Economic Development.
Arlington has long stood at the intersection of national security and innovation. With the Pentagon, Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus, and leading defense contractors all located within its borders, the foundation is strong. Today, Arlington has been taking bold steps to lead in a critical new arena: dual-use technology — solutions that serve both commercial markets and national security needs.
To support this vision, Arlington Economic Development (AED) has partnered with VC in DC, VIPC and additional sponsors, Carta, CSC Leasing, JBG Smith, JP Morgan and Pillsbury to create and run Missions + Markets, a dynamic platform for dual-use innovation. This initiative features monthly startup demos, reverse pitches, and founder-focused content, all culminating in a signature matchmaking event that connects high-potential startups with aligned investors.
The inaugural event in April drew 85 applications from across the U.S. and Canada. Of those, 24 startups were selected to participate, engaging with more than 30 venture capital firms in over 80 pitch meetings — all in a single day. The energy was electric, and the results underscored Arlington’s growing role as a national hub for dual-use innovation.
Now, we’re preparing for round two on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, and applications are officially open.
If you’re a dual-use founder seeking strategic investors and a community rooted in defense innovation, apply by Monday, Sept. 1.
Through initiatives like Missions + Markets and partnerships with organizations such as VC in DC, AED is working to establish Arlington and the broader DMV region as a premier destination to build cutting-edge, dual-use ventures that drive both innovation and economic growth.
If you would like to learn more about the local tech ecosystem or attend local events, please sign up for AED’s Innovation Ecosystem newsletter.
