Home > Newsroom > Washington, DC Launches Comprehensive Global Soft Landing Program
April 24, 2024 (Washington, DC) – The Washington, DC Global Soft Landing initiative is a comprehensive effort to attract and support international companies and entrepreneurs looking to establish operations in the nation’s capital. The initiative leverages the region’s unparalleled resources, global influence, and collaborative ecosystem of partners to provide seamless entry into the United States.
The Washington, DC Global Soft Landing initiative is a collaborative effort between the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, the Penn West Equity and Innovation District, The George Washington University, and The Build Fellowship by Open Avenues. Supporting partners include the Federal City Council, the DC Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce.
The Washington, DC Global Soft Landing initiative offers two distinct tracks:
The launch event for the Washington, DC Global Soft Landing initiative took place on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, at Studio by Tishman Speyer at 900 19th St NW.
The event featured remarks from distinguished speakers, including President & CEO of the Golden Triangle BID, Leona Agouridis; DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Nina Albert; Executive Director for SelectUSA, Jasjit Singh; Associate Vice President for Research at The George Washington University’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Jim Chung; Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for The Build Fellowship, Danielle Goldman; and WDCEP President & CEO, Derek Ford, who all highlighted the initiative’s benefits and the city’s commitment to supporting global businesses.
The event was hosted by Tishman Speyer at its Studio location within 900 19th Street, the firm’s Class-A office tower in the heart of DC’s central business district. Studio, Tishman Speyer’s coworking and flexible workspace platform, was selected by Soft Landing for its unique ability to foster community and allow for flexibility within its global spaces. Tishman Speyer and Studio are partnering with the soft landing program to support founders entering and growing within the DC market by providing a discount for those wishing to lease space and facilitating events to help build their network.
“When entrepreneurs think about where to locate and launch their businesses, not only do they think about where they want to get their start, but where they can grow and thrive. They want to be part of a community, one that is well-resourced and supportive, and one that is easy to navigate,” said Nina Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. “The Washington DC Global Soft Landing is our opportunity to leverage an incredible network of institutions and partners to build off of our presence as the nation’s capital and be the top choice for where businesses enter the U.S. and give them a head start to prosper in DC.”
“Penn West is the perfect place for this program,” said Leona Agouridis, President of the Golden Triangle BID, which is home to the Penn West Equity and Innovation District. “Where else in the country can you find the White House, the World Bank, IMF, IFC, EU, state department, and a major R1 university within two blocks of each other? Where else can you leave your office, walk a block to a cross-town bus, or the red line to Amtrak, or the silver line to Washington Dulles International Airport? Where else do you have access to so many major companies, a diverse workforce, and some of the most educated talent in the world?”
“The Washington, DC Global Soft Landing program further solidifies the Washington DC Economic Partnership’s mission to attract business to our city,” said Audrey Polk, Vice President of Corporate Attraction for WDCEP. “We want the message to be loud and clear to the international community that Washington, DC is open for business and we are ready to support global companies expanding to the U.S. market.”
For more information about the Washington, DC Global Soft Landing initiative and how to apply, please visit https://wdcep.com/dc-global-soft-landing/.
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About the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP): The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) is a nonprofit, public-private partnership at the core of economic development in the U.S. capital, Washington, DC. WDCEP supports companies by providing site selection assistance, customized market research and community tours, and navigation of financial resources to support investment into Washington, DC.
About the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED): The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) assists the Mayor in the coordination, planning, supervision, and execution of economic development efforts in the District of Columbia with the goal of creating and preserving affordable housing, creating jobs, and increasing tax revenue. DMPED pursues policies and programs that create strong neighborhoods, expand and diversify the local economy, and provide residents with pathways to the middle class.
The priorities for the Deputy Mayor derive from our broad goals of increasing affordable housing, increasing jobs and increasing District revenues. Together, they support the Mayor’s vision of Inclusive Prosperity. Underlying all of our work is a commitment, driven by the Mayor, to good government and transparency.
About the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District: Formed in 1998, the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) enhances Washington, DC’s central business district, the 44-square-block neighborhood stretching from The White House to Dupont Circle. For more information, visit goldentriangledc.com and follow the BID on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Penn West Equity and Innovation District: The Penn West Equity and Innovation District in Washington, D.C., is an inclusive, collaborative innovation hub for big ideas and groundbreaking technology dedicated to solving for a more sustainable, equitable and vibrant future for everyone. Through a dynamic group of partner entities including the Golden Triangle BID, The George Washington University (GW), DC government, and the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), Penn West aims to become the world’s premier destination for uniting technology with public policy, equity, and social impact. For more information, visit pennwestinnovation.com and follow Penn West on LinkedIn.
About The George Washington University: In the heart of the nation’s capital, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of students from across the United States and around the world.
About the GW Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The George Washington University Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) utilizes its extensive network of investors, serial entrepreneurs, subject matter experts and industry mentors to help international startups explore the commercial viability of their idea in the U.S. market. GW OIE uses its 20+ years of experience in the region to provide key insights into the U.S. consumer and assists with dedicated long-term guidance around a soft landing pathway in Washington, D.C.
About The Build Fellowship by Open Avenues: The Build Fellowship is a nationwide cap-exempt H-1B visa Fellowship that serves foreign national innovators, entrepreneurs and experts from around the world seeking to grow their careers and companies in the United States. Build Fellows are employed by Build Fellowship non-profit partners part-time and sponsored for cap-exempt H-1B visas. Build Fellows contribute to the missions of non-profit partners and to the social and economic success of the United States by opening career pathways for the future U.S. workforce through mentoring, training, and supporting students across the country. The Fellowship’s unique immigration and education program increases the competitiveness of the U.S. economy through filling talent gaps for U.S. companies in the world’s top industries. Follow us on LinkedIn and join our community to stay updated.
About Tishman Speyer (tishmanspeyer.com): Tishman Speyer is a leading owner, developer, operator and investment manager of first-class real estate in 35 key markets across the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Our portfolio spans market rate and affordable residential communities, premier office properties and retail spaces, industrial facilities, and mixed-use campuses. We create state-of-the-art life science centers through our Breakthrough Properties joint venture, and foster innovation through our strategic proptech investments. With global vision, on-the-ground expertise and a personalized approach, we are unparalleled in our ability to foster innovation, quickly adapt to global and local trends and proactively anticipate our customers’ evolving needs. By focusing on health and wellness, enlightened placemaking and customer-focused initiatives such as our tenant amenities platform, ZO, and our flexible space and co-working brand, Studio, we tend not just to our physical buildings, but to the people who inhabit them on a daily basis. Since our inception in 1978, Tishman Speyer has acquired, developed, and operated 556 properties, totaling 225 million square feet, with a combined value of over $128 billion (U.S.). Our current portfolio includes such iconic assets as Rockefeller Center in New York City, The Springs in Shanghai, TaunusTurm in Frankfurt and the Mission Rock neighborhood currently being realized in San Francisco.
