Technology Ecosystem Fund

The Technology Ecosystem Fund is a grant program administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development within the Government of the District of Columbia. The program is designed to strengthen and expand the technology sector in Washington, D.C. by providing financial support to organizations that play a role in building, sustaining, and scaling technology companies and the broader innovation ecosystem. The initiative reflects the District’s broader economic development strategy to position itself as a competitive hub for high-growth technology industries and entrepreneurial activity. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that directly contribute to the creation, incubation, acceleration, relocation, and growth of technology companies within the District. In addition, the program supports efforts that indirectly enhance the ecosystem, such as increasing access to capital, delivering technical assistance, and organizing events that bring together founders, investors, and technologists. Eligible projects must align with defined funding streams, including incubator and accelerator programs, ecosystem-building events and convenings, and broader innovation support initiatives such as workforce development and training programs. Funding for the program totals 2000000 dollars and will be distributed across multiple awards within defined categories, including incubators and accelerators, events and convenings, and innovation ecosystem support initiatives. Grant funds may be used for direct project costs such as staffing, contractual services, rent, facility build-out, marketing, and materials. However, certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including food and beverage expenses, debt service, equity investments, taxes, and other non-project-related expenditures. Nonprofit applicants may include indirect costs in accordance with applicable regulations. Eligibility is open to a broad range of organizations, including for-profit companies, nonprofit entities, colleges, and universities, provided they are in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to building the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem rather than scaling a single business entity. A key requirement is the demonstration of a minimum 1:1 match of grant funds, which may include both cash and in-kind contributions. Applicants must also either have an existing presence in Washington, D.C. or present a credible plan to establish one, and are encouraged to collaborate with ecosystem partners to deliver coordinated, multi-institutional projects. The application process involves a multi-phase submission and review structure. Applicants are first required to submit an eligibility intake form, which is used to assess alignment with program goals and determine whether the applicant will be invited to submit a full application. Only those who pass this initial screening are granted access to the full application. The full application requires detailed organizational information, project descriptions, budgets, partner roles, and supporting documentation, including financial statements, certifications, and compliance records. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated grants management platform. Applications are evaluated through a structured review process that includes eligibility screening, pre-screening for completeness, panel review, and final award determination. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity, project design, prior track record, budget justification, and alignment with the District’s technology ecosystem goals. The review process assigns weighted scores across these categories, culminating in a final funding decision made by the Deputy Mayor. Awards are competitive, and final decisions are not subject to appeal. The program follows a defined timeline beginning with the release of the funding opportunity on March 27, 2026. The eligibility intake form is due April 24, 2026, followed by invitations to apply on April 27, 2026. Full applications must be submitted by May 29, 2026. Review processes continue through June, with conditional award notifications expected in early July. Funded projects must complete all activities by September 30, 2028. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact the DMPED Business Development team via email at bizdev@dc.gov or by phone at 202-727-6365.

Prioritize strong matching funds especially cash commitments; demonstrate ecosystem-wide impact and partnerships; clearly align project with priority technology sectors; ensure all compliance documents are complete