2018 Grant Program

BEACON is a community-led
campaign to make Washington, DC
the most influential and supportive
city for women entrepreneurs in the
United States.

Check out BEACON's latest report:
Building Inclusive Ecosystems with Intentionality: A Strategy to Enhance Support for DC's Women Founders

Becoming Beacon

Our goal is to make Washington, DC a model city to demonstrate how investors, companies, mentors and government can work together to ensure women entrepreneurs have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Are you an ecosystem builder?
Apply for the BEACON Grant Program!

Click Here to Apply

Help Us Build DC's Most Complete Directory of

Women-Owned Businesses

Just Rock Enterprises

Just Rock offers music, dance and pe instruction via private, group and workshop experiences throughout the DMV.

Founder, Owner, Designer

Meaning “smile/laughter” in Swahili, Kicheko Goods is a socially conscious company that designs distinctive pieces which invest in education. Founded in 2014, Kicheko is an emerging brand made in DC. Concepts for the brand’s small batch collections are inspired by geometry, nature, and travel. Kicheko's aesthetic shares an unrefined boldness, sophisticated earthiness and playful simplicity..

Krystin Hargrove

Empowomant is a for-profit social impact organization, empowering women to live with intention. We explore 3 core areas: self, family, and career applying our 3 step method of vision, work, and follow through to support women seeking personal and professional alignment. Through collaboration, we work to empower women around the world.

Vanessa Ferragut

Greenease is a mobile app that connects consumers with restaurants, cafes and grocers that buy from local and/or sustainable farms.

Find the support for your women-owned business

Resources

Young African Professionals Network (YAP)

The Young African Professionals (YAP DC) Network is the premier conveners of events and opportunities for young African diaspora professionals ages 21-40. We provide timely and relevant resources, we facilitate innovative professional development experiences, we foster inspirational networking, and we encourage impactful community building.

Advancement Strategist

Halcyon is a creativity incubator for both social entrepreneurs and socially-conscious artists. Halcyon Incubator, our flagship program, is a competitive, 13-month fellowship program, which includes a 5-month residency, to support the most promising early-stage social entrepreneurs in the world. Incubator accepts 2 cohorts of 8 social enterprises each year and has worked more than 60 ventures.

Kimberly Bassett

Executive Director

Mayors Office on Womens Policy and Inititives

The Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives (OWPI) is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all women and their families within the District of Columbia. OWPI, working in conjunction with the DC Commission for Women, is in a unique position to serve as a liaison between the public and private sectors and the Executive Office of the Mayor.

Brand Strategist & Startup Facilitator

SK Consulting is a strategy-driven boutique branding and startup accelerator firm specializing in women-led brands. Our expertise includes brand development/ strategy, creative direction, social media & digital marketing strategy. With over 9 years of experience in branding and product development in the fashion industry, the Founder Shawna Kaye, helps women Mold, Manage, & Monetize their Brand!

Events

For Women, By Women, We All Belong Here

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2018

Greater Washington, D.C. Region

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a free 7-day world renown celebration that showcases exciting local innovation, and strengthens connections. #GEW2018 will host a variety of engaging sessions with the region's experts, and provide an overall roadmap of what tools and potential opportunities exist.

John Maxwell's Everyone Communicates Few Connect Training

To be a successful leader, you need to learn to communicate in a way that connects with others. Increase your influence by participating in this 90 minute 5 week John Maxwell training course, Everyone Communicates Few Connect. The cost of the training is $145 that can be transferred to another person.

HireHer Panel - Minority Majority

Alley powered by Verizon

Minorities will be the majority in 2050 according to the US Department of Labor. Change how you develop content and scale your business to make companies more competitive. To remain innovative, industries must develop workplace cultures that value inclusion, and are supportive of diversity of thought and background. Leverage the insights of diverse leaders to take your firm to the top.

Community