The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the 2026 Aspire Incubator Program starting February 23, 2026.

The Aspire Incubator Program is for DC residents who are returning citizens and/or justice-involved with an active DC basic business license. The Program is an opportunity for participants to sustain or grow their DC-based microbusiness within a community of support and receive stipend payouts for completing various business development milestones, up to $5,000.00.

This will include completing advertising, branding, and marketing materials; business growth and sustainability planning; regulatory compliance requirements; financial management practices; and public speaking through business pitching. Participants will also have an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges in the Aspire Incubator Pitch Competition (“Pitch Competition”) for the chance to win Pitch Prizes.

Microbusinesses accepted into this competitive Program will receive business development training and support in the following key areas:

• Accounting, Bookkeeping, & Financial Management
• Advertising, Branding, & Marketing
• Business Growth & Sustainability
• Pitch Preparation Basics
• Regulatory Compliance

Class and Program schedules will be finalized around March 2026 when all Program service providers are finalized.

Program Eligibility

The Aspire Incubator Program is for returning citizens and/or justice-involved DC residents with an active DC basic business license. Justice-involved means an individual who has had contact with the criminal justice system, meaning they've been arrested, incarcerated (jail/prison), or sentenced to probation or parole. Participation in the Aspire Incubator Program is a public declaration of reentry and/or justice-involved status. We understand that not everyone who is a returning citizen or justice-involved is comfortable with sharing their status publicly. If you are not comfortable, you may prefer not to participate in the Aspire Incubator Program and may reach out to DSLBD for referrals to alternative business development support. Reach out to [email protected] if you are seeking other support. To be eligible for the Aspire Incubator Program, applicants and Program participants must be:

A DC resident operating a for-profit business with an active basic business license in DC.

The majority business owner (owning 51% or more of the business).

Multiple participants per business are not accepted. Selected participants may only participate in one DSLBD Cohort Program within the fiscal year. Participants who received stipend funds in any previous Aspire cohort program since its launch in 2016 are not eligible to participate in Aspire Incubator 2026. This includes, but is not limited to: Aspire to Entrepreneurship (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Aspire Side Hustle (2016), Opportunity Zone Justice (OZJ) Accelerator (2016), We Aspire (2020, 2023), Aspire Pitch (2021), Aspire Navigation, We Aspire Pitch (2022), Aspire Incubator (2024, 2025), Aspire Prep (2024), etc.DSLBD will begin accepting applications in Winter 2026 for the Aspire Incubator 2026 cohort Program. Eligible businesses and entrepreneurs must apply by March 23, 2026, 2:00 pm ET. 

How to Apply

Submit applications here: District Enterprise System (DES). All applications and supporting documents must be submitted using the online application system. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

 

Application Deadlines

All applications must be submitted by March 23, 2026, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (“ET”). No Exceptions.There are other deadlines that applicants should monitor. 

Program Application Deadlines

Courtesy Review: DSLBD will provide a courtesy review for applicants who start applications by or before the published Courtesy review deadline. During this review, DSLBD staff will review and provide feedback on the responses to eligibility requirements. If the application does not meet the eligibility requirements, DSLBD will notify the applicant of non-compliance issues. The Applicant may use DSLBD’s feedback to resolve non-compliance issues and resubmit by March 23, 2026, 2:00 PM ET.

Information Sessions

DSLBD will offer multiple information sessions to help applicants understand these Official Instructions and to provide an opportunity to ask questions live during the Question and Answer (Q&A) segment of each Information Session. Register directly for an information session here: Aspire Incubator Program 2026 Virtual Information Sessions. Questions: All questions must be asked by the question deadline, March 18, 2026, by 2:00 PM ET to receive a guaranteed answer. Questions asked after the deadline cannot be guaranteed a response prior to the application closing deadline. All questions must be emailed   to [email protected] or asked during a Live Information Session. No phone calls will be accepted. 

Required Eligibility Documents

Program-eligible DC residents must be the majority owner (51% or more) of the current business and must identify as a returning citizen or justice-involved resident. Participation in the Program is public acknowledgement of reentry or justice-involved status. All required eligibility documents must be submitted using the online application system. Required documentation will demonstrate the following:

• Identity of the Majority Business Owner (verified via a valid or non-expired DC Driver’s License, DC Non-Driver’s Identification Card, or Passport)
• Proof of Residency in the District of Columbia (utility bill, bank statement, paystub, or formal government letter)
• Proof of an active Basic Business License (BBL) and Business Location (DC Basic Business License)
• Proof of Majority Ownership
• Reentry or Justice-Involved Status
• For accepted applicants invited to join the Program, the following documentation will also be required to join and participate in the Aspire Incubator 2026 cohort:
• An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) W9 Form. This will be provided at the conclusion of the cohort.
• Business bank account details to secure the payment of stipend funds.
• Program Award Impact Reporting Acknowledgement Form

All information, documents, and attestations must be submitted to the online system in the eligibility section for review. Applicants who do not meet eligibility requirements will not be evaluated. Only one application is allowed per applicant. Only one application is allowed per applicant. Applications can be saved in the online system, allowing applicants to return and make edits before final submission. False information may result in Program forfeiture. Use the checklist below to ensure that you have all of the required information and documents prior to completing or submitting a Program application. Please note that the requirements below are for Aspire Incubator 2026, for which you must have an active DC basic business license:

CLICK HERE to view the full details of the Aspirge Incubator Program, including all the requirements your business must meet at the time of application.

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected] or register for an information session, Aspire Incubator Program 2026 Virtual Information Sessions