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

Resource Providers, see what you can do to support DC's women founders:
Building Inclusive Ecosystems with Intentionality: A Strategy to Enhance Support for DC's Women Founders

What is BEACON?

BEACON is a community-led initiative to make D.C. the most influential and supportive city in the nation for women entrepreneurs. With partners across the public and private sectors, BEACON amplifies opportunities and connects women entrepreneurs to each other, and to the resources they need.

Entrepreneurs can:

Sign-up for the BEACON Newsletter.

Register for the BEACON Directory as a woman-identifying business owner (it's free!).

Submit an event that supports women entrepreneurs.

Find a resource to support your needs

Identify and connect with women entrepreneurs

Ecosystem Builders can:

Sign-up for the BEACON Newsletter.

Add a resource to the BEACON Resource Index.

Submit an event that supports women entrepreneurs.

Help Us Build DC's Most Complete Directory of

Women-Owned Businesses

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..

Just Rock Enterprises

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

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.

Capitol Romance LLC

Capitol Romance is the Washington DC area's best resource for loving & living practically and locally. With a focus on wedding planning, inspiration, and resources, Capitol Romance is a blog, a community, a wedding coordination business, and a recently launched eCommerce site.

President / Founder

Canady Foundation for the Arts

The Canady Foundation for the Arts (CFA) is a Washington, DC cultural arts 501(c) 3
non-profit organization that educates, empowers and implements innovative arts and media
programs for young people of color. CFA's mission is to bring arts programming, education,
performance, leadership, outreach and entrepreneurship opportunities to young people of color nationally

Events

For Women, By Women, We All Belong Here

Hera Hub Female Founder Forum

Calling all female founders, women business owners, mentors, resource providers and investors that are interested in expanding your network and supporting this community in the DMV. Barbara Guterman, a local entrepreneur, speaker and strategist, will share her inspirational story in a Fireside Chat with Hera Hub DC CEO, Julia Westfall. Parking is free on the residential side streets after 6:30 pm.

Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Homegrown Approaches to Developing Thriving, Inclusive Communities

Anacostia Metro Station

Our monthly series of Netwalks promote local businesses and community vitality by combining wellness, engagement, and creativity on a 1.5 - to 2-mile relaxed leisure paced walk for all fitness levels in different walkable neighborhoods throughout Washington, DC, and surrounding areas.

DCfempreneur Holiday Party

Industrious Alexandria

Join us for a joyous celebration of community! Our first ever Holiday Party will be cohosted by the SOAR Community Network on Sunday, December 15, 2019 12:00PM to 3PM at Industrious in Alexandria, VA. It will be a festive gathering with an abundance of wine, sushi, food and laughter! Plus Swag Bags, Door Prizes & More!

Community