The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the 2025 Aspire Incubator Program starting December 23, 2024.
The Aspire Incubator Program is a cohort-based training program for up to 20 DC-residents who are returning citizens and/or justice-involved starting or growing a DC-based business. The Aspire Incubator Program is an opportunity for participants to grow DC-based microbusinesses within a community of support and receive stipends for completing various business development milestones for up to $5,000 in direct stipends. This will include completing planning, regulatory, finance, and public speaking milestones. Microbusinesses accepted into this competitive program will receive business development training and support in the following areas:
- Regulatory Set Up and Compliance
- Business Pitch & Showcase
- Financial Projections and Financial Management
- Marketing & Branding
- Peer Mentorship
Class and program schedules will be finalized around March 2025 when all program service providers are finalized with some required and some optional classes. Applicants will be asked to complete a survey about general availability in their applications for programming anticipated for April-July 2025.
Program Eligibility
The Aspire Incubator program is for returning citizens and/or justice-involved residents. Justice-involved means a person who has been incarcerated or detained in a jail, juvenile detention center, correctional facility, a prison, immigration detention center OR a person that is currently serving a sentence (i.e. weekender), awaiting trial or sentencing (personal recognizance), and/or under community supervision, such as a parole or probation.
Participation in the Aspire Incubator program is a public declaration of reentry and/or justice-involved status. We understand that not everyone who is justice-involved is comfortable publicly sharing their status. 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 resources. Reach out to [email protected] if you are seeking other support.
Program eligible microbusinesses and entrepreneurs must be DC-residents operating or seeking to start a DC-based business. This program is only for For-Profit businesses. Applicants and program participants must be the majority business owner (51% or more). Multiple participants per business are not accepted. Participants in the 2024 Aspire Incubator Program who received a stipend award and/or selected participants for the 2024 Dream Pitch Program are not eligible to participate in Aspire Incubator this year.
How to Apply
Submit applications here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8131629/Aspire-Incubator-2025-Program-Application. The application and supporting documents must be submitted using the online application system. Incomplete applications may be rejected as incomplete.
Application Deadlines
Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2025, at 2 pm Eastern. No Exceptions.
There are other deadlines that applicants should monitor.
Program Application Deadlines
|
1ST PRE-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW |
2ND PRE-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW |
QUESTIONS DEADLINE |
FINAL DEADLINE |
|
January 6th 2 pm Eastern |
January 21st 2 pm Eastern |
January 29th 2 pm Eastern |
February 1st 2 pm Eastern |
Eligibility Pre-Review: Applicants who complete eligibility documentation requirements by or before pre-eligibility review deadlines will receive a courtesy review and determination of their eligibility on a rolling basis.
Information Sessions
Information Sessions: DSLBD will offer multiple information sessions to support applicants in understanding these official instructions and provide an opportunity to ask questions live. Register directly for an information session here: https://dcnet.webex.com/webappng/sites/dcnet/webinar/webinarSeries/register/362cd9d8d0c14e018c64c9fdf05883cd
Questions: All questions must be asked by the question deadline of January 29, 2025, at 2 pm Eastern. Questions asked after the deadline cannot be guaranteed a response prior to the application deadline. All questions must be emailed to [email protected] or asked in an information or Q&A session. No phone calls are accepted.
Required Eligibility Documents
Program-eligible DC residents must be the majority owner (51% or more) of the current or planned business, and the resident must identify as a returning citizen or justice-involved resident. Participation in the program is a public acknowledgment of reentry or justice-involved status. Required eligibility documents must be submitted using the online application system.
Required documentation will demonstrate the following:
- Identity of the Majority Owner
- Proof of Residency in DC (DC identification or alternative documentation)
- Business Location or Planned Location
- Proof of Business Licensure (for existing businesses) OR participation in a licensing support session by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) (for not yet licensed businesses)
- Proof of Majority Ownership
- Attestation of Reentry or Justice-Involved
For accepted applicants invited to participate in the program, the following documentation will also be required to join the Aspire Incubator 2025 cohort:
- An IRS W9 form: we will provide one to be completed after acceptance into the program
- Bank account details to be provided securely to the payment provider (to receive stipend payments)
- Other documentation about the use of stipend award funds may be required by any official program operator organization or DSLBD
- Final confirmation of schedule and availability
All information, documents, and attestations must be submitted into the online system in the eligibility section for review. Applicants who do not meet eligibility requirements will not be evaluated. If an applicant submits multiple applications, DSLBD will only review the last submitted application. False information may result in program forfeiture.
Use the checklist below to ensure that you have all the required information and documents prior to completing or applying for Aspire Incubator 2025.
Please note that requirements have been broken down into two categories:
- Licensed Business
- Not Yet Licensed
View all requirements based on your business status at the time of your application.
Learn more about each required item below:
|
DESCRIPTION |
Valid photo ID for the majority owner/applicant |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
If this is a barrier, don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected], and we will connect you with supportive resources for obtaining identification through the DC Ready Center. |
|
Proof of DC Residency |
|
|
DESCRIPTION |
Documentation to prove applicant’s residency in DC |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
|
|
DESCRIPTION |
PDF/Photo of the Business License issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) or appropriate licensing authority |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
|
|
License Support Session |
|
|
DESCRIPTION |
Attend one virtual license support session in partnership with the DLCP Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) to learn more about the licensing process if your business is not yet licensed. |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
|
|
DESCRIPTION |
Banking account for the business |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
|
|
Majority Ownership Attestation |
|
|
DESCRIPTION |
Attestation within the online system about majority ownership (51% or more) of the business |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
|
|
Returning Citizen/Justice-Involved Business Owner Attestation |
|
|
DESCRIPTION |
Attestation within the online system about returning citizen/justice-involved status |
|
APPROVED DOCUMENTS |
|
|
NOTES |
|
Selection Process
DSLBD will select program participants through a competitive application process. A review panel will be put together consisting of DC Government employees who will review ELIGIBLE applications received by the submission deadline of February 1, 2025, at 2 pm.
The program team will review the panel recommendations, and the Director of DSLBD will make the final determination of program participants.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate all eligible applications:
- Clear Benefit for the Aspire Incubator Program (25%)
- Business Goals & Growth Potential (50%)
- Commitment to the Business & Program (25%)
Competitive Application Questions
The application is broken down into three (3) sections and corresponds directly to the criteria listed above in the Selection Process section of this document.
Clear Benefit for Aspire Incubator Program
1. Why do you want to participate in the Aspire Incubator program? (Video upload optional)
2. What skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from participating in the Aspire Incubator program?
3. How does Aspire Incubator align with your business goal and entrepreneurial journey?
Commitment to the Business
1. Tell us your “why” behind your business. How did your business become to be?
2. What does your business do? Who are your customers? Describe your market for your product, goods, or services.
3. How long have you been in business?
4. What preparation went into starting your business?
Business Goals & Growth Potential
1. Tell us about three business goals you have that could help grow your business.
2. Where do you see your business in the next two years? In the next five years?
3. What challenges have you faced with accessing business capital for your business?
4. If you were to receive the full amount of milestone stipends ($5,000), how would you use these funds to grow your business?
Letter of Support
- Include one short letter or video from someone who is supportive of your business development journey. This can be from any person in your life who is supportive of you developing a business.
Program Acceptance Details
Notification of selected program participants will be made on or around February 24 – 28, 2025. Selected program participants will be required to review the final program scheduling and, if the schedule is acceptable,e attend and participate in the following:
- Attend Orientation & On-boarding Session for the Aspire Incubator program: Participants accepted into the program will attend a two-hour in-person orientation and on-boarding session.
- Attend Business Support Sessions: Additional opportunities, both direct and referral, will be made available to support participants in building out their businesses with a strong foundation.
- Maintain active participation in the full program: Participants are required to attend all regular program classes and cohort activities. The program is a hybrid model, some sessions will be virtual and others in-person with various providers. Absences must be pre-approved by reaching out to the designated attendance manager, and an 85% attendance rate of required program classes and cohort activities is required to be eligible to remain in the program and be eligible for stipend funds.
Only participants who complete the requirements listed above will be allowed to continue in the program and complete all milestone stipends.
Aspire Incubator Program
The Aspire Incubator Program is an opportunity for businesses to receive technical assistance, training, and peer mentoring support to start and grow a DC-based business with stipend support of up to $5,000 per participant. Stipends will be made as micropayments throughout the program based on participants achieving various milestones of program completion and business development. Participants will prepare business plans and budgeting documents, business pitch decks, and present their businesses in a series of mini-pitches and/or showcases to continue to build confidence,
receive feedback and support.
Restrictions on Allowable Uses of Funds
Stipend funds must be used on business expenses.
Reservations
This section included reservations that DSLBD makes in releasing application rules.
A. Application Acceptance
Applications must be made through the online portal. DLSBD will not accept applications submitted via hand delivery, email, mail, or courier service unless accepted by DSLBD due to extenuating circumstances. DLSBD will not review late submissions or incomplete applications.
B. Reservations
Funding for any stipend awards is contingent on continued funding available for this program.
Publication of these Official Rules does not commit DSLBD to make any funding prize awards.
DSLBD reserves the right to issue addenda and/or amendments subsequent to the issuance of the Official Rules or to rescind the Official Rules. DSLBD will post addenda or amendments in the online application (see below). Applicants are responsible for reviewing and adhering to any Official Rules addenda or amendments. Funding for milestone stipends and/or pitch prizes is contingent on continued funding for this program. The Official Rules do not commit the Agency to make any funding awards.
DSLBD may suspend or terminate an outstanding Official Rules pursuant to its own authority or any DSLBD federal regulation or requirement.
DSLBD reserves the right to accept or deny any or all applications if DSLBD determines that it is in the best interest of the District to do so.
DSLBD shall not be liable for any cost incurred by an applicant in the preparation of one or more applications for this program. The applicant understands and agrees that all costs incurred in developing and preparing any application shall be the applicant's sole responsibility.
DSLBD may conduct pre-award on-site visits to verify information submitted in an application.
DSLBD serves as their own reference in evaluating applications.
DSLBD may enter into negotiations with a program participant and adopt revisions of the participant's application that may result from negotiations.
Applicants participating in the Aspire Incubator program accept that all pitch competitions will be photographed and video recorded.
Applicants participating in the program accept that they must complete 85% or more of all required program classes and activities to be eligible to continue participation in the program and receive a stipend award.
In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the program application and any applicable federal or local law or regulation or any ambiguity related thereto, then the provisions of the applicable law or regulation shall control, and it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance.
