The DC government will be granting $2 million to startup-focused support organizations this fall, and the national security sector is a top priority.
Applications are open for accelerators, venture studios, event series, workforce development initiatives and other related organizations to apply for the city’s Technology Ecosystem Fund. A total of $2.4 million for the program was allocated in the 2026 fiscal year budget. Organizations specializing in certain high-growth industries are encouraged to apply, including AI, quantum and defense technology — which has seen historic private investment and government spending.
The fund is part of a broader city strategy to diversify DC’s economy, per Adam Lattimore, director of technology and innovation at DC’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). The region is historically known for verticals like government contracting and consulting. It’s still important to still flex the proximity to the feds, though.
“What we’re trying to do is make sure that the programming that is funded through this,” Lattimore told Technical.ly, “is aligned with sectors that are prioritized for both the district government and for the industry sectors that are naturally located here.”
Mayor Muriel Bowser in the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal allocated another $2 million for this program, along with $5 million for the Vitality Fund, a similar grant vehicle that incentivizes large companies to expand or relocate to DC.
“Together, these programs attract and retain businesses and help create the conditions for businesses across sectors to locate and grow in DC,” Deputy Mayor Nina Albert said in a statement, “and to create high-quality jobs for DC residents.”
Interested applicants (which must be located within city limits) must fill out an interest form by Friday, and some will be selected to move forward with a full application due at the end of May.
Technology Ecosystem Fund: A two-step application process
This program will be overseen by DMPED, and Lattimore will be leading it.
After the eligibility form deadline passes on April 24, applicants chosen to move forward will be notified on April 27. That process entails more detailed information, including specifics about how the organization would use the funds. The money will be distributed by Sept. 30 of this year.
The $2.4 million is allocated into three different buckets, Lattimore said.
- Funds for an incubator, accelerator or venture studio total $1.25 million (just one applicant is planned to be selected, but that could change, per Lattimore)
- Three or four event series or summits will receive a total of $500,000
- One or two other support organizations like workforce development programs or upskilling will get $250,000
Money can be used for costs like rent and operations, Lattimore said, and must be used within two years. The money cannot be used to invest in startups (DC has its own venture fund that is in the early stages of investing).
Applicants need to have a track record of successful programming, either in the DC region or elsewhere – groups outside of the city that are planning to set up programming locally will be considered, he said.
Groups also need to show they can get at least 1:1 match funding outside of this grant.
“We don’t want to fund groups that are going to come in and do some work and then sort of leave once a funding opportunity is gone,” Lattimore said.
Playing ‘matchmaker’ between applicants
Organizations should list in the application past proven partnerships and what other entities could be collaborators, Lattimore said. The review committee will consist of startup founders and ecosystem leaders, and will play “matchmaker” between complementary applications and encourage organizations to work together.
Applicants can also co-apply for the grant.
“That’s increasingly important for us is that these groups are working together, and that their efforts are not duplicative, but additive to one another,” Lattimore said. “That creates the stickiness of the ecosystem that allows those projects to be more successful.”
Looking forward to after the grants are doled out, Lattimore and the city will be looking for jobs created and the number of companies setting up in DC to evaluate progress.
“Success looks like … bring[ing] eyeballs to the district.” Lattimore said, “and making sure that they’re here and they have the ability to scale.”
Source link
