Request for Applications (RFA) FY2019 Innovation Accelerator Grant

Request for Applications (RFA)

FY2019 Innovation Accelerator Grant

Release Date: June 21, 2019

Grant Identification No.: DMPED – BD019 - 2320

Submission Deadline: July 29, 2019 at 12PM

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) seeks one or more partners to create a privately managed accelerator program that invests in seed and early stage DC-based businesses led by underrepresented entrepreneurs, including people of color, women, LGBT individuals, and people with disabilities. These may be technology or technologyenabled businesses.

The goal is to increase access to business development and financial support for scalable tech or tech-enabled, DC-based businesses led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. The top priority is increasing access to opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs who would not otherwise secure the resources and access to capital needed to scale their business.

The District has committed funding of up to $400,000 to support one or more accelerator programs that meet the goal. DMPED seeks partners that share Mayor Bowser’s vision for inclusive innovation to manage a program that provides a meaningful improvement to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

These accelerator partners would be charged with helping entrepreneurs develop scalable businesses, form strategic partnerships, and raise investment capital needed to grow a sustainable venture. Partners could develop a new accelerator or develop a new component of an existing program.

The District intends to make one or more awards. Joint ventures (i.e. teams with members from more than one organization) are eligible to apply, but the individual grants will be disbursed to one entity.

Please note that all applications must be submitted electronically. Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.