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Department of Small and Local Business Development

Agency Home Responsive

FY26 Dream Accelerator Program

The Dream Pitch Competition is an opportunity for participants to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, showcasing the knowledge gained through the Program and resulting in a pitch award of $2,000 to $7,500. APPLY NOW!

SmallBiz Assist

In celebration of National Entrepreneur Month, DSLBD invites DC-based entrepreneurs to book a one-on-one meeting to explore our programs, connect with local resources, and grow their businesses.

To sign up, CLICK HERE.

FY26 Green Book

The Green Book serves as a roadmap to DC government spending with CBEs, providing valuable insights into procurement goals, upcoming opportunities, and ways for small and local businesses to navigate the contracting process successfully.

2026 We Aspire PREP

The Aspire Prep Program 2026 encourages returning citizens and justice-involved DC residents to start their own District-based businesses. Participants will join a cohort-based training covering business fundamentals and may receive up to $1,500 in milestone stipends.

Ward 8 CIF BOSS

DSLBD’s Ward 8 Community Investment Fund (CIF) Back Office Support Services (BOSS) offer trainings and consultations for Ward 8 business owners to help strengthen their financial skills, systems, and reporting practices, and improve their funding- and contract-readiness.

FY26 Made in DC Curator & Retail Innovation Grant Program

The FY26 MiDC Grant Program offers MiDC-certified businesses the chance to grow through short-term pop-up retail spaces, allowing local makers to sell their products and connect with customers. Apply today for funding to become a curator and manage a space showcasing multiple businesses across various industries!

Application Deadline: May 13, 2026

CBE Eligibility Wizard

Using the CBE Wizard, you can begin the process of helping your business become a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE).

Featured Services

Current DSLBD Small Business Grants and Funding Opportunities

District CBE Waiver Portal

File a Complaint with DSLBD

Complaints regarding the CBE Program can be filed with DSLBD via phone, email or mail.

DC APEX

DSLBD offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the...

Commercial Revitalization

Our revitalization programs help retail corridors and neighborhoods.

Certification, Joint Venture

How to apply for a Joint Venture.

Find Certified Companies

Made In DC Certification Program

Enroll today and join a vibrant and creative business community. Made in DC is a DC government certification program operated by DSLBD.

Latest

Mar 10 2026

Mayor Bowser Announces Art All Night 2026 Scheduled for September 11–12, Bringing Free, High-Energy Arts Programming to All Eight Wards

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Small and...

Mar 4 2026

Mayor Bowser Invites Residents to Celebrate Women’s History Month at Free Events Across the District

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on Women...

Mar 3 2026

Mayor Bowser Announces New Legislation to Cut Red Tape and Make It Easier to Do Business in the District

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced two pieces of legislation designed to...

Feb 10 2026

Mayor Bowser Doubles Down on Creating Jobs for DC Residents and Bringing Businesses to DC by Launching Applications for Vitality Fund and Growth Fund

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor...

Feb 9 2026

Mayor Bowser and DSLBD Release FY26 Green Book, Setting $1.5 Billion Spending Goal with Local Businesses

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Small and...

Jan 9 2023

Wishing You A Prosperous New Year

...

Sep 16 2020

Letter from the Director - CBE Law Reform

Click Here To View The Mayor's Press Release Click Here To View The Official Letter from the...

Apr 29 2020

DSLBD: Small Biz Quarterly | FY20 Q2

DSLBD SmallBiz Quarterly FY20 Q2 Download PDF (with access to links via online viewing) View...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD: SmallBiz Quarterly | FY20 Q1

DSLBD SmallBiz Quarterly FY20 Q1. View newsletter in Slideshare. Download...

Oct 15 2019

DSLBD: The Small Biz Quarterly I FY19-Q4

DSLBD FY19 Q4 Small Biz Quarterly Newsletter: https://www.slideshare.net/DSLBDDC/dslbd-...

Feb 14 2024

Fiscal Year 2023 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Acting Director Rosemary Suggs Evans

Good morning, Chairperson McDuffie, members of the Council, my colleagues in the local business...

Feb 8 2023

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance Oversight Hearing for: Department of Small and Local Business Development

Before the Committee on Business and Economic Development ...

Feb 9 2022

Fiscal Year 2021 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

February 9,2022 Before the Committee on Business and Economic Development ...

Jun 14 2021

Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Oversight Hearing for the Department of Small and Local Business Development

Statement of Kristi C. Whitfield, Director, Before the Committee on Business and Economic...

Feb 10 2021

Fiscal Year 2020 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

Good Morning, Chairman McDuffie, members of the Committee, staff, and residents of the District of...

Feb 20 2026

Mayor Bowser to Hold Situational Update on the Potomac Interceptor Break

(Washington, DC) – Today, Friday, February 20 at 3:30 pm, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Water...

Feb 10 2026

Mayor Bowser to Show Love to DC’s Seniors at Annual Valentine’s Event

(Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, February 11, at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the...

Feb 3 2023

Bowser Administration Cuts the Ribbon on the First Black-owned Restaurant in Woodley Park

(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Saturday, February 4th, at 1:00 PM, the Department of Small and...

Sep 22 2021

Mayor Muriel Bowser Kicks Off 10th Anniversary of Citywide Art and Cultural Festival - DC Art All Night

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: September 22, 2021 CONTACT: Shayne Wells (DMPED)...

Jul 27 2020

Public Notices: Proposed Rulemaking (N0094810)

The Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development (“Director”),...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield Hosts 2nd Episode of Mayor Bowser's Every Opportunity to Rise Podcast

Access to capital is critical for many small business owners and DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield Hosts Mayor Bowser's Every Opportunity to Rise Podcast

DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield was honored to host Mayor Bowser's Every Opportunity to...

Dec 6 2019

Director Whitfield, Culture Coffee Too Owner Join DC Storefront Podcast

This is a fantastic episode featuring DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield and Ms. Veronica Cooper...

Aug 1 2019

Anacostia Residents Seek Development Without Displacement

Anacostia Residents Seek Development Without Displacement WAMU.com, 8/1/19 Most D.C....

Aug 1 2019

Kojo In Your Community: Small Businesses, Entrepreneurship And Employment East Of The River

Kojo In Your Community: Small Businesses, Entrepreneurship And Employment East Of The River WAMU...

DSLBD’s Tweets

Tweets by SmallBizDC

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm

Connect With Us
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 850 North, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-3900
Fax: (202) 654-6032
TTY: (202) 727-3900
Email: [email protected]

Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

Current Funding Opportunities

FY26 Made in DC Curator & Retail Innovation Grant Program

The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development is excited to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the FY26 Made in DC Curator & Retail Innovation Grant Program (“MiDC Grant Program”).

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Department of Small and Local Business Development

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Agency Home Responsive

FY26 Dream Accelerator Program

SmallBiz Assist

To sign up, CLICK HERE.

FY26 Green Book

2026 We Aspire PREP

Ward 8 CIF BOSS

FY26 Made in DC Curator & Retail Innovation Grant Program

CBE Eligibility Wizard

Featured Services

Current DSLBD Small Business Grants and Funding Opportunities

District CBE Waiver Portal

File a Complaint with DSLBD

DC APEX

Commercial Revitalization

Certification, Joint Venture

More Services

Find Certified Companies

Made In DC Certification Program

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DSLBD’s Tweets

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Current Funding Opportunities

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Agency Home Responsive

FY26 Dream Accelerator Program

SmallBiz Assist

To sign up, CLICK HERE.

FY26 Green Book

2026 We Aspire PREP

Ward 8 CIF BOSS

FY26 Made in DC Curator & Retail Innovation Grant Program

CBE Eligibility Wizard

Featured Services

Find Certified Companies

Made In DC Certification Program

Latest

DSLBD’s Tweets

Department of Small and Local Business Development

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