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.

Donate to support our business directory and flagship programs

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

Vanessa Ferragut

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

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.

Just Rock Enterprises

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

Find the support for your women-owned business

Resources

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.

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.

Co-Founder and Co-CEO

Nappie is a local baked goods company that began in Washington DC. The founders of Nappie created the company because of their desire to bring wholesome, delicious desserts into the casual food scene. Comprised of only natural ingredients, we strive to give our community the most wholesome alternatives to American's favorite baked goods.

Kelli Kedis Ogborn

President & CEO

H.S. DRACONES LLC

At its core, H.S. Dracones helps individuals and companies understand where they fit within their ecosystem and better position themselves within that context. Heavily rooted in the human side of technology, our consulting firm specializes in innovation strategy and integration- helping the science-minded build businesses and translate their technology for maximum adoption and impact.

Events

For Women, By Women, We All Belong Here

HERImpact DC Pitch Competition Application Deadline

Ford Motor Company Fund and 1863 Ventures (formerly Project 500) have initiated a new program in Washington, D.C. to help female social entrepreneurs grow their enterprises, increasing both impact and long-term sustainability.

HERImpact DC offers female entrepreneurs in the area, educational opportunities, technical assistance, mentoring, coaching, and financial resources.

Mentorship Roadshow #2: Master your Sales

With the support of a BEACON grant, Julia Westfall, Liz Whitehead and Monica Kang present this free workshop for women business owners who want to increase their sales revenue. From building your sales funnel to closing a sale, our experts will share their tips and advice. It will also be a great time to network with other women in the BEACON community.

The 4th Annual Spectrum Circle Awards Luncheon

Fairmont Washington DC

The 2019 Spectrum Circle Awards luncheon is the signature annual fundraising event for The Spectrum Circle (www.thespectrumcircle.com) which brings together a gathering of influential and innovative people from business, technology, media, policy, government, finance and other fields in Washington, DC.

Community