Golden Triangle

Penn West Equity and Innovation District

Tech is a major growth sector in DC and the Golden Triangle has become a magnet for startups and fast-growing tech companies ready to scale. The Golden Triangle BID is working with the George Washington University (GW), DC government, Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), and other partners to create the Penn West Equity and Innovation District here in the Golden Triangle.

Innovation districts are concentrated urban clusters of tech startups, entrepreneurs, incubators, and associated businesses in STEM-related industries, usually located near anchor academic institutions in walkable, transit-accessible neighborhoods offering room to grow.

The Penn West Equity and Innovation District in the Golden Triangle will build off the existing presence of four key tech sectors in medtech, govtech, fintech, and edtech while focusing on the broader themes of social innovation and digital engagement. The neighborhood is well positioned as DC’s innovation district for many reasons:

  • ANCHOR INSTITUTION — GW’s urban campus offers world class STEM education and healthcare facilities, cutting-edge medical research, tech and entrepreneurship programs, and more
  • ACCESSIBILITY — With access to four Metro lines, the walkable, bikeable, and transit-accessible Golden Triangle neighborhood is one of DC’s most desirable addresses
    • The Blue, Orange, Silver, and Red lines at Farragut West, Farragut North, and Foggy Bottom Metro stations connect the innovation district to many of the region’s residential communities, employment centers, tech clusters, and major transportation hubs, including two airports and Union Station
  • NETWORKING — Tech companies within and around the Golden Triangle continue to grow and mature, spurring new startups and expanding the diverse talent pool
    • Proximity to tech incubator and other clusters of tech startups in DC’s central business district
    • Complementary non-tech businesses (e.g. advocacy organizations, patent law firms, global institutions, trade associations, creative agencies, coffee shops, formal and informal social spaces) are located in the neighborhood
  • CITY LIFE — Free events, public space maintenance and programming, and other activations hosted by GTBID and cultural institutions make the Golden Triangle attractive to DC residents, professionals, and visitors