DC Startup Week is once again upon us.
The weeklong series, with free events strewn throughout the metro area, kicks off Monday. It includes educational panels for startups, networking receptions, pitch competitions and other gatherings.
“Our theme this year is ‘Empowering Startups, Uniting Communities,’" DCSW lead organizer Rachel Koretsky said in a statement. “From major technology companies to inspiring nonprofits to the business leaders of tomorrow, we’re proud to have such a fantastic roster of sponsors, participants and attendees lined up and this year’s Startup Week promises to continue to serve as the flagship event for the entrepreneurship community in the Washington, D.C. area.”
As part of the goal to “unite communities,” this year’s series includes several events covering issues that affect marginalized and underrepresented communities in the technology industry.
Major sponsors of DC Startup Week include the Washington D.C. Economic Partnership and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, which will be hosting events Wednesday at the WeDC house.
DCSW will run Sept. 9-13. Event highlights are below, and you can find a full list of events here.
Monday, Sept. 9
10:20 a.m. – How to Build, Sustain, & Grow with the Innovation Ecosystem
12:30 p.m. – Why Is the Sales Cycle So Slow, How to Close Your Customer
4 p.m. – Show Me The Money: How To Fund Your Startup
6:30 p.m. – How to change the world through innovation, diversity and venture capital
Tuesday, Sept. 10
9 a.m. – The Future of Business Bettering the World
11 a.m. – Launch Yourself: Personal Branding For Entrepreneurs
3 p.m. – Reaching Across the Profit Aisle: Finding Partnership Opportunities
4:30 p.m. – Scaling Your Startup? How to be Prepared
Wednesday, Sept. 11
9:15 a.m. – Keynote & Fireside Chat with Donna Khalife
11 a.m. – How to Build an Inclusive Culture at your Startup
3 p.m. – Founder Perspective: How to get the most out of an accelerator
4 p.m. – HERImpact DC: Pitch Competition & Reception
Thursday, Sept. 12
11 a.m. – PitchMasters: Workshop on how to pitch
1 p.m. – Design Thinking for Better UX
5 p.m. – Techstars Community DMV Happy Hour
6 p.m. – CMX Connect DC: The Rise of Community Builders
Friday, Sept. 13
9 a.m. – DevFestDC Keynote: Less Artificial Intelligence and Trustworthy Machines
1 p.m. – Best Practices for Corporate + Startup Partnerships
3:45 p.m. – Managing Up: Close the Feedback Loop
