FY26 Dream Accelerator Program
The District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD”) is excited to announce that we will begin accepting applications for the 2026 Dream Accelerator Program (the “Program”), a cohort-based training for microbusinesses, starting March 23, 2026, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (“ET”). Eligible microbusinesses must have fewer than 5 employees, be located in Ward 7 or 8, and have an applicant business owner who is a Ward 7 or 8 resident owning 51% or more of the business. This Program is only for for-profit businesses. Applicants accepted into this 6-8-week competitive program will receive help growing their businesses and becoming sustainable. Program participants will receive business development training on several topics from local service providers, including: Core Business Foundations, Marketing & Branding, Financial Management, Operations & Sustainable Growth, and Using Artificial Intelligence in Business. Participants who complete the Dream Accelerator Program will be eligible to compete in the Dream Pitch Competition. 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, resulting in a pitch award between $2,000 and $7,500.
Deadline:
April 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. No Exception
To learn more, CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROGRAM DETAILS
FY26 Aspire Incubator Program
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.
Extended Application Deadline:
April 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET
To learn more, CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROGRAM DETAILS
Amended FY26 Aspire Incubator Program
FY26 We Aspire Prep Program
The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD”) is excited to announce that we will begin accepting applications for the Aspire Prep Program 2026 (the “Program”), starting March 30, 2026. The Aspire Prep Program is for DC residents who are returning citizens and/or justice-involved, starting a DC-based microbusiness. The Program is an opportunity for individuals who do not hold an active DC basic business license and are in the business concept or business ideation stage, brainstorming and researching ideas, and who need additional support and assistance to turn their dream into reality.
Participants will complete various business planning and business development milestones for a stipend payout of up to $1,500.00. This will include completing a business plan, regulatory compliance and setup, basic financial management, advertising, branding and marketing materials, and public-speaking milestones.
Microbusinesses accepted into this competitive Program will receive business development training and support in the following areas:
• Advertising, Branding, & Marketing
• Business Planning & Business Development
• Financial Management
• Regulatory Compliance & Set-Up
Class and Program schedules will be finalized around March 2026 when all Program service providers are finalized.
Program Eligibility
The Aspire Prep Program is for returning citizens and/or justice-involved DC residents who do not have 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.
Deadline
DSLBD will begin accepting applications on March 30, 2026, for the Aspire Prep 2026 cohort Program. Eligible entrepreneurs must apply by April 30, 2026, 2:00 pm Eastern Time (“ET”). To learn more about the Aspire Prep Program for 2026 and eligibility requirements, please visit: DSLBD Aspire Prep Program 2026
FY26 Residential Energy Contractor Support Grant
The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD” or “Department”) is pleased to announce that it will begin soliciting applications for the FY26 RECS Grant on or about March 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). RECS grants will be awarded to eligible District-based businesses that can deliver targeted development training and back-office support to DC Sustainable Energy Utility (“DCSEU”) Train Green program participants, as well as District-based businesses engaging in other energy
efficiency training opportunities or “green” energy contracting opportunities. In partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”), DSLBD seeks to position eligiblebusinesses to deliver trainings and prepare District-based business for subcontracting opportunities through back-office support (i.e., proposal/grant writing, marketing, customer recruitment, and account management). The Department intends to award up to two (2) grants to District-based businesses in the amount of $50,000, from the $100,000 in total available funding for FY26. The competitive application will open on March 2, 2026, and close on April 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Applications will only be accepted through the online application system listed in the corresponding RFA that will be posted on DSLBD’s website.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET
To learn more, Click Here
