The DC Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Accelerator Program (SBAP) is a business development program for DC based small businesses designed to help accelerate their growth and development through access to Chamber based training and resources.

Update: Our next cohort will engage 2 cohorts of 5 businesses of entrepreneurs in weekly training workshops, 1:1 mentoring opportunities and access to Chamber resources.

At the end of the program entrepreneur’s will have experienced significant impact and growth in core areas of their business propelling their businesses forward.

Mission & Thesis

The Small Business Accelerator Program (SBAP) is designed to fast-track the development of emerging and under-resourced local small businesses in DC by teaching them in a few months what would have taken them years of trial and error to learn.

Thesis

Help accelerate under-resourced small businesses by delivering access to training, resources & mentorship to strengthen sales, marketing and brand strategies in addition to creating access to deeper network connections.

Program Components

How we’ll support our inaugural cohort.

Education

High value insight, information and practical strategies from proven industry experts.

Mentorship

1:1 expert support and guidance to fast-track development and help entrepreneurs tackle daily challenges.

Access

Engage with the local ecosystem to facilitate access to deeper networks and quality relationships.

Community

Collaboration and relationship building that fuels organic development among peers.

Requirements

Program requirements
  • Business is registered and based in D.C.

  • 2+ years in Operation

  • Less than 10 employees

  • Revenue Generating: $15k+ MoM

  • A True Small Business, as defined by the SBA): “a for profit business of any legal structure, independently owned and operated, focused on serving a specific local market.”

  • Diverse Led, as defined by the following standards of diversity: historically under-resourced; not provided with as much money or as much staff, materials, etc. as are needed to be successful, efficient.

Participation Expectations

Weekly Training and Mentoring on a hybrid basis.

Training Curriculum

  • Business Development

  • Marketing

  • Talent Acquisition

  • Legal Considerations for Small Businesses

  • Financial and Capital management

The Small Business Accelerator Program (SBAP) is designed to fast-track the development of emerging and under-resourced local small businesses in DC by teaching them in a few months what would have taken them years of trial and error to learn.

Speaker Series & Mentor Roster

2023 Cohort

Small Business Accelerator Program Sponsors

The DC Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our sponsors.

FAQ

In person training workshops for the SBAP will be held at the the DC Chamber of Commerce’s main HQ. (1133 21st St. NW m200, Washington, DC 20036)

Cohort participants are required to maintain a District of Columbia registered company to be eligible to participate in the SBAP.

Our inaugural cohort will feature 5 entrepreneurs.

Selection criteria is based on: 

  • How applicants articulate their resource needs
  • Meetings all eligibility criteria
    • DC based
    • At least 18 mo’s in business
      • Post mvp
    • # of employees
    • Existing customer base
    • Monthly recurring revenue
    • Significant traction
  • At least 1 entrepreneur of diverse background
  • Ability to meet mandatory participation requirements

The SBAP is currently not an investment accelerator.

Cohort participants will receive access to training, mentorship, Chamber resources, exclusive program events and deep network connections.

Cohort participants are expected to attend mandatory monthly, 1 – 2hr training sessions in-person. (August – December, 5 total training session) 

Participants also commit to meeting 2hr/week (8hr/mo) with their program mentor.

The SBAP is for any company that fits the program’s acceptance criteria. View acceptance criteria.

Yes. We’ve designed this accelerator to benefit companies that are in the earlier stages of their growth but are already doing business. The ideal company has at least 18 mo’s in business, recurring revenue, significant traction and an existing customer base. 

We are not designed to work with founders in the idea stage, pre product market fit or pre mvp.