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

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.

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..

Find the support for your women-owned business

Resources

Margaret Kamara

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.

Executive Director

Minority Business Development Assocation

MBDA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes the growth of minority-owned business through the mobilization and advancement of public & private sector programs, policy, and research. We work throughout the Nation to link minority-owned businesses with the capital, contracts, & markets they need to grow.

Tambra Stevenson

Founder and Consultant

NATIVSOL KITCHEN

From companies to consumers, NATIVSOL empowers people to transform their kitchens, heal their meals and enhance family traditions.

Events

For Women, By Women, We All Belong Here

Join Pineapple Collaborative for a discussion about career paths & work culture in the restaurant industry with Carlie Steiner of Himitsu, Daniela Moreira of Timber Pizza Co, and Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao. Perfect event for aspiring chefs and restaurant owners!

1 Million Cups Washington, D.C. 2018: Week 34

A weekly event for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the thriving peer network of founders in Washington, D.C. Meet the next wave up and coming business owners, and learn from the crowdsourced solutions to keep them growing. The FREE local coffee is also highly encouraged.

Breaking The Glass

Common Securitization Solutions

Computer Futures and Common Securitization Solutions cordially invite you to Breaking the Glass, a Diversity in Technology networking event. There will be a panel discussion focused on how to build a successful career, while creating balance outside of work, followed by networking with leaders in D.C.'s bustling tech industry.

Community