Mayor Bowser and DSLBD Invite Residents, Entrepreneurs, and Business Owners to Celebrate DC Small Business Week with Exciting Events and Opportunities for Growth

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) are inviting entrepreneurs, business owners, and residents to take part in DC Small Business Week during the week of May 4. To celebrate the people and businesses that drive growth in DC, the District is hosting free, exciting events that offer opportunities to support local businesses and provide residents at all stages of their business journey with resources and guidance to help them achieve success. DC Small Business Week highlights the Mayor's continued investment in small and local businesses and more than a decade of expanding opportunity, strengthening neighborhood corridors, and supporting entrepreneurs across all eight wards.

"Small businesses are the heartbeat of this city - they're on our corners, in our neighborhoods, and behind every corridor that feels alive," said Mayor Bowser. "Over the last decade, we've invested billions to help DC entrepreneurs start, grow, and stay here, and the results speak for themselves: more than 75,000 small businesses, more than 233,000 jobs, and opportunity in all eight wards. DC Small Business Week is our moment to keep that momentum going - and I'm asking every DC resident to be part of it. Try a new spot. Come out to our events and connect with the entrepreneurs who are betting on this city just like we are. When you support a small business, you're not just making a purchase - you're investing in a neighbor, a dream, and driving growth in the best city in the world."

During DC Small Business Week and beyond, DSLBD will host events across the city designed to help businesses get answers, make connections, and move forward. Small businesses remain a driving force in the District's economy; DC is home to more than 75,000 small businesses, accounting for over 98% of all businesses and employing more than 233,000 residents.

"DC Small Business Week is about delivering real results for our businesses," said DSLBD Director Rosemary Suggs-Evans. "We are bringing resources directly to entrepreneurs, removing barriers and making it more straightforward to access the support they need to grow and thrive."

DC Small Business Week 2026 will feature a series of events across the District designed to connect entrepreneurs to resources, deliver real-time support, and highlight the strength of the city's small business community:

Small Business Solution Expo
Small Business Week kicks off with a high-impact, resource-driven event hosted by DSLBD, in partnership with key agencies. Designed as a "pull up and solve" experience, the expo connects small business owners directly with experts and resources in real time. Attendees can obtain on-site licensing and registration support; tax and Clean Hands assistance; guidance on Certified Business Enterprise certification and NIGP codes; access to capital and financing resources; procurement and contracting connections; free professional headshots; and social media support to strengthen online presence.

POWERUP DC: Small Business Summit & Expo
Hosted by DC Health Link and the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking, this full-day summit will focus on resilience, survival, and growth for entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. Attendees can enjoy expert-led panels and workshops; business coaching and networking opportunities; insights on access to capital, digital tools, and regulatory updates; on-site health coverage guidance and enrollment assistance; and more.

• When: Tuesday, May 5, 8 am to 3 pm
• Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW
• Register: dchealthlink.com/powerupdc

Made in DC Market
Presented by DSLBD, this marketplace connects residents and visitors with locally made products and the entrepreneurs behind them. Attendees can enjoy products from Made in DC vendors, opportunities for direct sales and customer engagement, food trucks featuring local culinary businesses, and live entertainment.

Made in DC Mother's Day Pop-Up
This community-focused pop-up will celebrate local entrepreneurs while creating a vibrant shopping and wellness experience. Attendees can enjoy fresh florals by Flowers by Alexes, curated small business vendors and local products, a live entrepreneurship panel, wellness activities including Pilates, and a live DJ and food options.

2026 Small Business Summit & Showcase
Hosted by the DC Chamber of Commerce, this premier event will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for a day focused on growth, connection, and opportunity. Attendees can expect high-impact panels and discussions, networking opportunities, access to business resources and support services, and more.

For more information and to register for events, visit dslbd.dc.gov/dcsmallbusinessweek.

As Mayor Bowser advances her FY27 budget, her administration continues to build on more than a decade of sustained investment in small and local businesses-a commitment reflected in DC Small Business Week. Over the past decade, the District has expanded opportunity through programs that support business growth, strengthen neighborhood corridors, and increase access to capital and contracting. The Certified Business Enterprise program has played a key role in this progress, helping to keep District dollars local while growing annual small-business spending goals from approximately $317 million to $1.5 billion.

Through the Department of Small and Local Business Development, the District continues to deliver year-round support for entrepreneurs at every stage. Programs such as Small Biz Assist, Made in DC, Dream Accelerator, and We Aspire provide technical assistance, access to capital, and clear pathways for businesses to start, grow, and succeed across all eight wards. Learn more about grants, supports, and other opportunities at dslbd.dc.gov. For information on upcoming contracting opportunities with District Government, view the FY26 Green Book, the District's official Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Guide, at greenbookdc.com.

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