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Business Assistance

Mason Enterprise Center for Regional Analysis and Entrepreneurship

Administered by Mason’s School of Public Policy, the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) is focused on accelerating the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation within the region. The following programs are offered through MEC (www.masonenterprisecenter.org):

• Fairfax Innovation Center: The center is a business incubator for small businesses. Companies, as tenants of the incubator, receive extensive assistance from MEC advisors. Call 703-277-7700.

Web: www.fairfaxinnovationcenter.org

• Mentor-Protégé Program: This program assists large federal prime contractors in providing business and organizational development assistance to selected small disadvantaged businesses. Call 703-277-7700.

Web: mentorprotege.gmu.edu

• International Business Development Program: This program offers a selection of targeted programs to assist U.S. and international small- and medium-size information technology (IT) enterprises develop international business. It has a three-stage program of consultation, international market planning, and business partnerships. Its approach is customized to prepare and promote companies to achieve practical business results in key IT marketplaces around the world.

• Community Business Partnership: Created in 1995, this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization provides an array of programs that compose a complete resource center for training and support to those seeking to build successful small businesses. Targeted toward women, minorities, and low-to-moderate income individuals, the Community Business Partnership offers a one-stop shop for small businesses.

Web: www.cbponline.org

• Virginia Small Business Development Centers: This network of 29 local Small Business Development Centers across Virginia includes four locations to serve small businesses in Northern Virginia. Call 703-277-7700.

Web: www.virginiasbdc.org

• Procurement Technical Assistance Program: This program provides government procurement assistance by offering marketing, counseling, and educational programs to small businesses. Call 703-277-7700.

Web: www.vaptap.org

• Business Mentoring Program: This program provides customized services for early and seed-stage companies, from planning to identifying and solving critical business functions. Call 703-277-7700.

• Telework and Training Centers: With three locations in Fairfax, Herndon, and Sterling, the centers offer advanced equipment and technical support for today’s mobile workforce. Telework fosters greater employee productivity and reduced overhead for employers. For information about the 17 Telework Centers in Northern Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and Maryland, call 703-279-3300.

Web: www.gmutelework.com