Mason Enterprise Center 
Initiative matches interns with startups and entrepreneurs
Building on its previous success, when 100+ local companies hired some of the region's best interns, Fosterly's Internship Match Initiative is back.  The Spring 2017 program is open to all startups and entrepreneurial organizations in DC, MD, and VA and to students from Mason, Georgetown, George Washington, University of Maryland and Virginia Tech.  This internship matching opportunity is free for students and $99 (optional) for participating companies.  Learn more and apply at http://fosterly.com/#internmatch
MEC-LeesburgMECLeesburg
American Capital Planning launches program in Charleston
Bonnie Ashby Sewel, founder of MEC-Leesburg member, American Capital Planning, and her colleagues devote some of their "off" hours to "Second Saturday."  A nonprofit workshop, it offers drama-free, unbiased, and straight-forward information about the legal and financial aspects of divorce to help alleviate stress and confusion. The Ashburn and Reston workshops just celebrated their fourth anniversary, and they have expanded to Charleston, SC.  http://www.americancapitalplanning.com/
Point Rock Solutions attending at AFCEA West 
MEC-Leesburg member, Point Rock Solutions, will be attending the AFCEA (#West2017) in San Diego, the premier Armed Forces conference and exposition on the West Coast. They will meet with key manufacturers who can prototype and build IT solutions. Point Rock will also talk directly to sea service warfighters, top industry leaders, and decision makers about their requirements for military IT solutions. http://www.pointrocksolutions.com  
Kalani Consulting offers secure electronic fingerprint capture services 
Kalani Consulting, Inc., an MEC-Leesburg HUBZone company, is offering electronic fingerprint capture services at their office. KCI, an FBI-approved third-party channeler, uses the i3 FPCheck mobile solution, that meets SWFT requirements. Access to this service is a major convenience for MEC-Leesburg members requiring background checks.  Go to KCI http://www.kalani-consulting.com/contact-us to make an appointment.  
MEC-FairfaxMECfairfax
MEC-Fairfax hosts demo of Union by 1776
Ryan O'Toole presented Union by 1776, a new platform developed by the accelerator 1776.  Attendees -- MEC-Fairfax clients and local small businesses -- learned about the benefits of Union for entrepreneurs and companies, including mentor matches, curriculum, events, classes, discussions, and more.  On a larger scale, Union enables "the next billion entrepreneurs to succeed by breaking down barriers and empowering work-changing start-ups to access the resources they need, regardless of location."  http://www.1776.vc/union/
MEC-FauquierMEC-Fauquier
MEC-Fauquier welcomes Martha Ellis Kelley
New to co-working is Martha Ellis Kelley, owner of two businesses, Highlands Financial Solutions (HFS) and Tres Trop the Gardener's Eden. Living in an internet-free zone in Fauquier County, Kelley says that the MEC-Fauquier offers "just what I need -- internet access, comfortable workspace, and pleasant colleagues."  Kelley's two businesses are diverse. HFS offers accounting services for small business in start-up or transition, and Tres Trop markets vintage and handcrafted items for the home and garden.  Now that she has settled in at MEC-Fauquier, Kelley finds that her efforts to develop these services and products "have now taken off with new energy."
MEC-Fauquier hires Haley Kennedy
New intern Haley Kennedy, a senior at Liberty High School in Warrenton, is assisting MEC-Fauquier clients with various projects.  Her government teacher had recommended that she participate in the county school program, and Haley rated MEC-Fauquier as her first pick. She said, "When I visited, Renee Younes was so nice to me. I thought it would be cool to work here." Not only will Kennedy be of great assistance, but the plan is to provide her with a relevant and worthwhile experience. The people at MEC-Fauquier are excited to have her onboard.
CBP (Springfield)CBP
Grand opening of new MEC-CBP offices 
After 22 years, CBP again outgrew its space. On January 11, the CBP staff was joined by civic and business leaders, sponsors, volunteers and clients for the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  The new facility at 6564 Loisdale Court, Springfield,  includes three training rooms, three conference rooms, an office-for-the-day, co-working space, an expanded business incubation center, office space,  and other accommodations for long-term use -- all at rates designed to keep clients' overhead expenses under control.  Read more 
CBP celebrates CDFI designation
CBP was designated a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). They can now expand their affordable lending services to help more groups -- low-income, low-wealth, other disadvantaged people and communities -- join the economic mainstream. 
Veterans-in-Business Conference coming in March 
The Annual Veterans in Business (VIB) Conference will be held on Thursday, March 23, at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington. In its 12th year, the VIB Conference provides inspiring speakers, educational workshops, exhibitors, networking and business opportunities for members of the military community. Details and registration are at http://www.veteransbusinessconference.org/ 
SBDC at CBP's Lean for Makers pilot program 
On December 15, 22 entrepreneurs from the DC Metropolitan Area presented their final pitch to a panel of angel investors and bankers, concluding the Lean for Makers pilot program.  SBDC at CBP was one of five national winners of the Lean for Main Street Challenge. CBP's participants were either in the "maker space" or were "food makers."  Modeled after the I-Corps syllabus, participants trained in customer discovery, product-market fit, and iterative improvements.  Chris Pryce, owner of Red Bone Caribbean Fusion Catering, started applying the lessons immediately by adapting his menu and his food presentation, resulting in an 80% growth in sales within the span of the course.  Read more   
MEC-CBP Springfield welcomes Truly Reliable Services 
Being in the MEC-CBP incubator environment puts Truly Reliable Services (TRS) in daily contact with the CBP staff and other incubator clients, so they can learn, prepare for, and achieve their growth goals. Established in 2009, TRS provides program and project management, analysis, and consulting services to government and commercial clients. Gale Brown-Neuhaus, owner, and Bryan Neuhaus provide 60+ years of experience to its clients.  They are a Woman-Owned, Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned, Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Minority-Owned business. Read more 
Virginia SBDCVirginiaSBDC
Virginia SBDC welcomes Alexander Chaplin 
Alexander Chaplin is the new Social Media and Marketing Specialist at the Virginia SBDC. At the legal firm, BrownGreer, he applied his skills in marketing, advertising, and web development, while curating and writing original social-media content, to support their marketing and branding objectives. Before that, Chaplin was a Social Media Specialist for the American Marketing Association and a Marketing Specialist for Clear Channel Media/iHeartRadio, where he managed social media and marketing plans for B2B and B2C business units.  Welcome aboard, Alexander Chaplin!