The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (“DMPED”) invites applications for its Technology Ecosystem Fund.
Donor Name: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/29/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The purpose of the Program is to grant funds to entities that provide support for entrepreneurs to establish, develop, and grow, early-stage technology companies within the District and/or provide training to District residents to work in the technology sector.
The Technology Ecosystem Fund (TEF) provides grant funding to organizations that support the creation, incubation, acceleration, relocation, and growth of technology companies in the District of Columbia. The Program also aims to support organizations and projects that have a direct or indirect effect on the District’s technology ecosystem. This includes, but is not limited to, increasing access to capital for technology companies, providing support services to companies and entrepreneurial ecosystem intermediaries, and hosting events that bring together technologists, founders, startups, and entrepreneurs.
Priority Technology Sectors
Project programming, regardless of funding stream, must support entrepreneurs, founders, technologist, researchers, or companies in one or more of the following high-growth technology sectors:
- Defense and national security technologies, with a preference for technology areas that have scalable private market opportunities
- Healthcare, preferably life sciences or medical technology companies
- Deep tech verticals including but not limited to:
- Quantum
- Advanced Computing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Aeronautics or space applications including launch and non-launch technologies
- Financial technology companies or technologies that are aligned with other federally regulated markets
Funding Information
- Incubators, Accelerators & Venture Studios: $1,250,000
- Events, Summits & Convenings: $500,000
- Innovation Ecosystem Support: $250,000
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, projects proposed by applicants must fall into one or more of the following funding streams:
- Incubator, Accelerator, or Venture Studio Program
- Projects in this funding stream consist of programs that seek to grow local technology companies through targeted programming. Eligible Projects may include programs that provide mentorship, technical assistance, office or development space, access to capital, and other forms of assistance designed to support early-stage or growth-stage companies.
- Events, Summits, Convenings, and Sector-Related Programming
- Projects in this funding stream consist of events, convenings, workshops, and other technology sector focused programming. Eligible Projects in this category will consist of in-person activities and events that strengthen and amplify the local ecosystem, foster collaboration, highlight industry advancements, or build community among entrepreneurs, investors, and other aligned stakeholders.
- Innovation Ecosystem Support
- Projects in this funding stream consist of activities or support mechanisms that do not fit squarely into the two categories above. This category is designed to ensure that high impact proposals are not excluded due to categorical limitations. Eligible Projects in this category may consist of workforce development programs, upskilling initiatives for Washington D.C. residents, training or technical assistance for funding institutions or angel networks, or other programs that may benefit local entrepreneurs and the technology ecosystem broadly.
For more information, visit DMPED.
