Who We Are

Welcome

Welcome to the Business Alliance, a 501c(3) membership organization devoted to fostering the development of early stage and growing companies through a variety of activities connecting innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders with each other and with those providing financial resources and other support to these enterprises.

History

The Business Alliance was founded in 1988 to build connections between the business community and George Mason University.  During the next two decades, Business Alliance members not only volunteered their time and expertise for traditional business-education partnership activities (e.g. guest lecturers,student project hosts, curriculum advisors), but also they became integrally involved in the development and expansion of the greater Washington, DC area entrepreneurial community.

Between 1988 and 2009, Business Alliance members coached advised and provided visibility for more than 150 early stage companies selected to present their business opportunities through the Business Alliance Grubstake Breakfast™ networking and investor forum. Dozens of MBA students participated in the live-lab learning opportunity of shadowing the Grubstake Breakfast selection, due diligence and coaching processes.  More than 1,200 students faculty, entrepreneurs and business leaders networked and learned best practices at the Business Alliances' annual Bootcamps for Growing Companies and Entrepreneurs. The Business Alliance also organized the first-ever Virginia and Mid-Atlantic Innovation Showcase™ events spotlighting 200 university and federal lab research projects ready for industry partnership and/or commercialization.

Today

In 2010, the Business Alliance decided to leverage its experience supporting entrepreneurs, innovators and growing companies by formally expanding the organization's focus on these activities to include a broader range of industries, government and educational institutions, and geographic locations.

Join Us

Membership in the Business Alliance is affordable (as little as $120/year) and provides a unique opportunity for you to learn from others, share your expertise, and gain visibility for your firm in a vibrant community that encompasses knowledge from multiple industries, academic, non-profit, business and professional communities. Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership.
 

Connect. Learn. Grow!