Washington, DC is a globally recognized tech hub with access to a highly skilled and densely concentrated workforce, earning the distinction as a 2023 Top 10 Corporate Headquarters Location by Business Facilities Magazine. The local innovation ecosystem is supported by top-tier educational institutions such as
George Washington University, Georgetown University, American University, Howard University, Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus, and many other nationally recognized institutions. In addition to educational institutions, DC is recognized for its strong talent pipeline, active venture capital community, and access to the world’s most prominent decision-makers shaping the regulatory landscape for new technologies.
DC Notable Rankings and Facts
Software Development
IT Services and Modernization
Cybersecurity
Ecosystem Assets
Talent Pipeline
Colleges & universities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area produce more than 12,000 graduates annually with skills in computer and information sciences.
Source: JobsEQ (*includes Post-Baccalaureate award category)
Technology Companies Choose DC for Talent
1.00 = US Average
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
3.32
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
0.95
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
0.95
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
1.57
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
1.77
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
0.92
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
1.39
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
0.64
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA MSA
1.87
Company Spotlight
District-based FiscalNote was founded in 2013 with a mission to leverage AI technology and data analytics to provide global policy and market intelligence. The SaaS company is headquartered in Downtown DC and has grown to approximately 800 employees with operations in eight countries. In August 2022, the company officially went public after reaching a $1 billion valuation and began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “NOTE.”
Resources
Vitality Fund
A multi-year, performance-based incentive program designed to support companies in target industries actively planning to relocate, expand, or retain their physical location in Washington, DC, and to encourage the creation of new jobs.
Creative Open Space and Modernization (COSM)
An incentive program designed to support the growth of large companies that make a long-term commitment to locate in the District. Eligible companies can receive an annual tax rebate for up to five years to offset property taxes and tenant improvements.
DC Department of Employment Services
Offers recruitment and hiring support, and a variety of workforce development and training programs to help District employers including On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Programs.
DMPED and WDCEP
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is the District government agency that designs and implements strategies to encourage companies to choose, stay, and grow in DC. Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) is a nonprofit, public-private partnership that leads business attraction efforts for DC. DMPED and WDCEP collaborate to advance the Mayor’s economic development strategy, with the primary focus of creating and retaining jobs to further drive sustainable, economic inclusion for the District of Columbia.
1. Esri/U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey & Population Division (2021). Based on a comparison of the top 25 most populous metropolitan areas.
