Loading Events

Events

Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County

Since 2003 the FCEDA has held a free monthly* workshop for individuals interested in starting a business in Fairfax County. Held in partnership with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and Community Business Partnership (CBP), the sessions have attracted nearly 4,000 attendees. The sessions provide overviews of:

  • Business start-up basics (licenses and permits)
  • workforce services and training programs
  • SBA financing and resources
  • SDB, MBE and 8(a) certification

The workshops are generally held on the first Tuesday of each month, unless a holiday precedes the first Tuesday, in which case the date is shifted to the second Tuesday of the month. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required and the workshops almost always fill up. Click here to find out which sessions are open for registration.

Upcoming workshops in 2019 are scheduled for February 5, March 5, April 2, May 8, June 4, September 10, October 1 and November 5.

Registration and networking begin at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. at the Cushman & Wakefield Conference Center, 8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 100, Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182. For directions, click here.

Workshops will be canceled when Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announces delays or cancels classes due to inclement weather. FCPS announces delays or cancellations on its Web site, www.fcps.edu, and on local television and radio stations. When workshops are canceled, they will be made up seven days later beginning at 8 a.m.

* No workshops are scheduled for the months of July, August and December.

For more information, contact Karen Smaw at ksmaw@fceda.org.

Register Now

Event Date September, 10

Event Time 11:30pm - 2:30am

Featured News

August 14, 2026

TekSynap and QTS Ink Leases in Reston with New Headquarters

TekSynap Expands Reston Headquarters With Full-Floor Lease at Reston Town Center Government technology contractor TekSynap is expanding its footprint with a new headquarters at Reston Town Center. The company signed a long-term lease for approximately 26,500 square feet at 11921 Freedom Drive, where it will occupy the building’s entire second floor. TekSynap will relocate from its current Reston headquarters at 1900 Oracle Way, with the new space serving as a core services hub for its growing workforce. “Taking major space in…
Read More
July 31, 2026

Fairfax Welcomes New Quantum Cyber HQ, Startup Spotlights & Accelerate Opportunities

Symmatrics Sets Up HQ in Tysons to Lead Cybersecurity Into the Quantum Age Cybersecurity innovator Symmatrics has opened its new headquarters in Tysons, strengthening Fairfax NOVA’s position as a global hub for cybersecurity, quantum computing and enterprise technology. The company selected Tysons for its proximity to leading technology companies, federal agencies and policymakers, placing it at the center of the nation’s innovation and national security ecosystem. “Opening our headquarters in Tysons marks an important step in Symmatrics’ next phase of growth,” said Walter Raquet, Chair…
Read More
July 17, 2026

From Startup to Global Leader: Why James Quigley Built His Company in Fairfax NOVA

For James Quigley, Fairfax NOVA isn’t just a place to start a business, it’s a place to build, scale, and make a global impact. In 2008, Quigley co-founded GoCanvas at his Reston dining room table. What began as a bold idea, grew into a global leader in field worker collaboration software, serving more than 300,000 users worldwide. In June 2024, Germany-based Nemetschek Group acquired GoCanvas for more than $780 million, a testament to what is possible when visionary entrepreneurship takes root…
Read More