Fortreum, a cloud computing and cybersecurity advisory agency, has steadily grown since establishing its headquarters in Loudoun County. Launched in 2021, Fortreum operated in a co-working house in One Loudoun till July 2023, when the corporate invested $125,000 to ascertain everlasting headquarters in a 2,600 sq. foot house in Lansdowne. This enlargement was supported by the Virginia Financial Growth Partnership and Loudoun County Financial Growth by way of the Virginia Jobs Funding Program (VJIP), a state program that gives money grants and companies to companies that create new jobs or practice current staff in addition to cowl prices associated to establishing or increasing operations. Fortreum took benefit of this initiative to assist its hiring efforts, creating 53 new jobs in Loudoun County.
CEO James Leach highlighted Loudoun’s pro-business surroundings, the entry to native expertise and assets, and strategic location as key causes for selecting Loudoun to scale his enterprise.
“As early-stage entrepreneurs, we understood the significance of being proactive and resourceful in pursuing all accessible financial benefits. Loudoun was our first alternative for scaling Fortreum as a consequence of its sturdy tech ecosystem and entry to high cybersecurity expertise throughout the higher Northern Virginia innovation hall,” stated Leach. “The native enterprise group, together with the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and Financial Growth, maintains robust partnerships with state-level initiatives and organizations just like the Virginia Financial Growth Partnership (VEDP), that present significant collaboration, grants, and incentives to assist enterprise development. By way of a colleague referral, we related with the VEDP and Loudoun Financial Growth to benefit from the Virginia Jobs Funding Program (VJIP).”
The transfer achieved important outcomes. In 2024, Fortreum was ranked No. 78 on the Inc. 5000 record of fastest-growing non-public corporations in America, attaining a three-year income development of three,831%. To be eligible for the Inc. 5000, an organization should be privately held, for revenue, and impartial. It should even have been based and producing income as of March 31, 2020, generated a minimal of $100,000 in income in 2020, and generated a minimal of $2M in income in 2023. The corporate’s enlargement technique included hiring native expertise, partnering with universities and authorities companies, and utilizing state packages like VJIP to handle workforce prices.
“As a part of our development technique, we quickly expanded our capabilities to be a one-stop store to offer cyber threat companies to organizations, each straight and not directly in assist of their software program product choices,” added Leach. “By serving to purchasers navigate complicated cybersecurity necessities—particularly in regulated industries like public sector, healthcare, and monetary companies—we positioned ourselves as a trusted accomplice that accelerates enterprise outcomes. This give attention to industry-specific simplification has been a key driver of our success and helped land us on the Inc. 5000 record of fastest-growing non-public corporations.”
Tech companies like Fortreum depend upon Loudoun’s proximity to Washington, D.C., entry to alternatives for private and non-private partnerships, superior tech infrastructure, and pool of educated and certified workforce expertise as elements for innovation and development. Northern Virginia was not too long ago named the highest tech hub within the nation in Website Choice’s first ever Northern American Tech Hub Index. Buddy Rizer, Govt Director of the Loudoun County Division of Financial Growth, shared how Loudoun performs a key position in shaping the area’s way forward for digital transformation, creating a main tech vacation spot for corporations like Fortreum.
“Loudoun County continues to cleared the path in safe digital infrastructure and innovation, and Fortreum’s enlargement is an ideal instance of the type of cutting-edge corporations selecting to develop right here,” acknowledged Rizer. “Our proximity to federal decision-makers, deep cybersecurity expertise pool, and international knowledge middle ecosystem make Loudoun the best launchpad for the following technology of safe, cloud-first options.”
Fortreum’s journey demonstrates how strategic location decisions, mixed with efficient utilization of state assist packages, native assets, and noteworthy endurance, can drive {industry} recognition and financial development. Their #LoudounPossible success is an inspiration for rising companies, showcasing how resilience, innovation, and community-driven development helps corporations do effectively in Loudoun’s tech ecosystem.
“Loudoun has been greater than only a excellent spot to boost a household—it’s been the best surroundings to launch and develop a thriving expertise enterprise,” shared Leach. “Virginia—and Loudoun County particularly—provides a really business-friendly surroundings with many supportive packages for growth-minded corporations. From grants and tax incentives to financial improvement packages and networking teams, these instruments might help you progress sooner and smarter. Don’t be afraid to ask for assist—many individuals are keen to help if you happen to simply attain out.”
See under for a message from James Leach:
Why Loudoun: ‘Sky’s the Restrict’ for Cybersecurity Workforce
