The District of Columbia (“DC” or the “District”) Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD”) is excited to announce the 2026 Dream Accelerator Program.
Donor Name: Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 04/23/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
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. 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.
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
- Using Artificial Intelligence in Business
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the 2026 Dream Accelerator Program must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a Ward 7 or 8 resident;
- The applicant must be the majority business owner (owning 51% or more of the business);
- The business must be located in Ward 7 or 8;
- The business must be a for-profit business;
- The business must have fewer than five (5) full-time employees;
- The applicant must not be a recipient of a previous Dream or they Aspire cohort program pitch award.
For more information, visit DSLBD.
