National Innovation Quarter
National Landing is proud to be home to National IQ – a new landmark innovation district designed to bring together industry, government, academia, and entrepreneurs to tackle the most pressing challenges at the intersection of national competitiveness and next-generation technology.
Stretching from Arlington to Alexandria, National IQ builds on our area’s thriving innovation ecosystem — from Amazon HQ2 and Virginia Tech to leading defense, research, and technology organizations — and provides a neutral platform for collaboration, dual-use innovation, and economic growth.
Learn more at national-iq.com.
National Innovation Quarter Launch
A newly established 501(c)(6) organization in Arlington and Alexandria, National IQ will deliver year-round innovation programming within this premier innovation district. The organization will lead and promote programming, including innovation challenges, investor summits, product showcases, an international soft-landing program, and startup accelerators — all designed to drive economic and innovation outcomes at the intersection of national competitiveness and tech. To head up this extraordinary entity, partners are launching a national search for the organization's executive director. For more information on this role, please visit national-iq.com.
The Power of Proximity
Operating where Arlington and Alexandria meet, National IQ leverages a rare concentration of assets that continue to attract innovative companies and talent. These include proximity to federal decision-makers and global institutions, access to a highly educated workforce, and a rapidly growing mix of technology, housing, retail, hospitality, and cultural amenities that support inclusive economic growth.
National Landing, which includes Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard and spans Arlington and Alexandria, is a rapidly diversifying community, home to nearly 30,000 residents and growing with a median age of 34. The area offers unmatched connectivity with proximity to Reagan National Airport, four Metro stations, and nearly 20 urban parks, all within minutes of Washington, D.C.
“National Landing has become one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the country, and National IQ builds on that momentum. This initiative strengthens the National Capital Region’s ability to attract talent, support entrepreneurs and drive global impact. From Amazon HQ2 and Boeing’s relocation to the expansion of Technomics, Inc. and the arrival of Shield AI, National Landing has demonstrated its ability to foster innovation across economic cycles. National IQ represents the next evolution of that success.”
- Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, President & CEO of the National Landing BID
Collaboration Across Public and Commercial Sectors
National IQ is spearheaded by its Founding Partners Amazon, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), Virginia Tech, Arlington Economic Development (AED), Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), JBG SMITH, and the National Landing Business Improvement District, along with dozens of sponsors, providing a neutral platform that accelerates public-private collaboration and the delivery of cutting-edge technology solutions.