The Growth Fund focuses on providing grants to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses that commit to establish or expand their presence in the District of Columbia by occupying commercial office space, including coworking space, and creating jobs in the District.
FY26 applications closed March 23, 2026. The Growth Fund reopens on an annual cycle — next-cycle dates haven’t been announced yet. Check DMPED’s Growth Fund page for the latest, or contact WDCEP.
Program overview
Mayor Bowser’s Growth Fund supports entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses relocating to or expanding in Washington, DC. The program encourages job creation and filling commercial office space, with a focus on supporting growth-stage startups ready to scale.
Program eligibility
In the FY26 cycle, applicants were required to:
- Relocate to, or expand in, commercial office space — including coworking space — in Washington, DC
- Have at least 5 employees
- Create 5 or more new jobs in DC over two years
- Require employees to spend at least 50% of their work hours at the DC location
- Participate in a workforce development program for DC residents, or spend at least 5% of annual contracting with local businesses
Priority considerations
Applications received priority if the company was:
- Located in a Growth Fund Target Area
- Operating in a high-growth industry sector, including Consulting and Business Services, Communications and Design, Education and Research, Life Sciences, and Technology
How to apply
The Growth Fund is administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), not by WDCEP. Companies actively considering relocation or expansion can learn more and apply at dmped.dc.gov/page/growthfund. For questions, email bizdev@dc.gov.
WDCEP can help you understand how the Growth Fund fits alongside DC’s other business incentives. Get in touch.
The Growth Fund is a yearly incentive — see DMPED’s Growth Fund page for exact dates.