The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the 2023 WeAspire Training and Pitch Competition.
The training program and competition is for DC residents who were previously incarcerated and/or justice involved (parole or probation) and seeking to build or launch their business. WeAspire will include a 16-week business training program from March through June, culminating in a pitch competition. Sessions will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5:30 – 7 pm online, and participants must be able to plan to attend all sessions. Sessions will cover aspects of starting and running a business including business planning, market analysis, regulatory requirements, marketing and business promotion, social media, and pitching your business. Missing more than 2 sessions without any explanation can result in removal from the program. Only those who complete the program will be eligible for the pitches.
Through a series of pitch competitions, Aspire participants will be awarded both direct financial support for their businesses as well as in-kind contributions such as financial advising, marketing assistance, and mentorship. Every participant who completes Aspire Pitch will receive $2,000 in pitch awards. DSLBD intends to allocate up to $10,000 in pitch prize funding for each pitch participant from the $200,000 in available funding.
Please review all program rules at https://dslbd.dc.gov/page/weaspire-2023