Fortreum, a cloud computing and cybersecurity advisory firm, has steadily grown since establishing its headquarters in Loudoun County. Launched in 2021, Fortreum operated in a co-working space in One Loudoun until July 2023, when the company invested $125,000 to establish permanent headquarters in a 2,600 square foot space in Lansdowne. This expansion was supported by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Loudoun County Economic Development through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), a state program that provides cash grants and services to businesses that create new jobs or train existing employees as well as cover costs related to establishing or expanding operations. Fortreum took advantage of this initiative to support its hiring efforts, creating 53 new jobs in Loudoun County.
CEO James Leach highlighted Loudoun’s pro-business environment, the access to local talent and resources, and strategic location as key reasons for choosing Loudoun to scale his business.
“As early-stage entrepreneurs, we understood the importance of being proactive and resourceful in pursuing all available economic advantages. Loudoun was our first choice for scaling Fortreum due to its robust tech ecosystem and access to top cybersecurity talent within the greater Northern Virginia innovation corridor,” said Leach. “The local business community, including the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, maintains strong partnerships with state-level initiatives and organizations like the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), that provide meaningful collaboration, grants, and incentives to support business growth. Through a colleague referral, we connected with the VEDP and Loudoun Economic Development to take advantage of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP).”
The move achieved significant results. In 2024, Fortreum was ranked No. 78 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, achieving a three-year revenue growth of 3,831%. To be eligible for the Inc. 5000, a company must be privately held, for profit, and independent. It must also have been founded and generating revenue as of March 31, 2020, generated a minimum of $100,000 in revenue in 2020, and generated a minimum of $2M in revenue in 2023. The company’s expansion strategy included hiring local talent, partnering with universities and government agencies, and using state programs like VJIP to manage workforce costs.
“As part of our growth strategy, we rapidly expanded our capabilities to be a one-stop shop to provide cyber risk services to organizations, both directly and indirectly in support of their software product offerings,” added Leach. “By helping clients navigate complex cybersecurity requirements—especially in regulated industries like public sector, healthcare, and financial services—we positioned ourselves as a trusted partner that accelerates business outcomes. This focus on industry-specific simplification has been a key driver of our success and helped land us on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies.”
Tech firms like Fortreum depend on Loudoun’s proximity to Washington, D.C., access to opportunities for public and private partnerships, advanced tech infrastructure, and pool of educated and qualified workforce talent as factors for innovation and growth. Northern Virginia was recently named the top tech hub in the nation in Site Selection’s first ever Northern American Tech Hub Index. Buddy Rizer, Executive Director of the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, shared how Loudoun plays a key role in shaping the region’s future of digital transformation, creating a prime tech destination for companies like Fortreum.
“Loudoun County continues to lead the way in secure digital infrastructure and innovation, and Fortreum’s expansion is a perfect example of the kind of cutting-edge companies choosing to grow here,” stated Rizer. “Our proximity to federal decision-makers, deep cybersecurity talent pool, and global data center ecosystem make Loudoun the ideal launchpad for the next generation of secure, cloud-first solutions.”
Fortreum’s journey demonstrates how strategic location choices, combined with effective utilization of state support programs, local resources, and remarkable patience, can drive industry recognition and economic growth. Their #LoudounPossible success is an inspiration for emerging businesses, showcasing how resilience, innovation, and community-driven growth helps companies do well in Loudoun’s tech ecosystem.
“Loudoun has been more than just a great place to raise a family—it’s been the ideal environment to launch and grow a thriving technology business,” shared Leach. “Virginia—and Loudoun County in particular—offers a very business-friendly environment with many supportive programs for growth-minded companies. From grants and tax incentives to economic development programs and networking groups, these tools can help you move faster and smarter. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—many people are willing to assist if you just reach out.”
See below for a message from James Leach:
Why Loudoun: ‘Sky’s the Limit’ for Cybersecurity Workforce
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