With support from Capital One’s Impact Initiative and funded (in part) through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration 2Gether-International (2GI) is launching an accelerator focused on DMV founders with disabilities of early-stage startups in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV).

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Throughout the program, participants are given tools and guidance to develop and strengthen their pitch with the program ultimately culminating in a pitch competition where entrepreneurs can earn funding for their business. This opportunity takes a strengths-based approach to helping participants significantly improve their pitch and business model, as well as help them to perceive their own disability as a competitive advantage rather than a weakness. Throughout the duration of the program 12-15 disabled founders will be competing for $5K seed funding.

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What can selected startups expect?

• A series of startup workshops tailored to the unique experiences of people with disabilities.
• Access to custom one-on-one coaching from accredited leadership coaches.
• Peer-to-peer founder discussion and networking groups.
• World-class speakers and mentors in the entrepreneurship and/or disability sector.
• Connections to investors and support fundraising both during and post-program.

The program will run from June 13th - July 26th

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What are we looking for?

• The startup must be led by at least one woman with a disability. See how we define disability here.
• Must be working on a high-growth business.
• Must have a product that's in the market - an MVP is okay.
• Must have availability to meet and attend: classes, peer-to-peer sessions, speaker series, and coaching sessions (tentative schedule below).
• *Note that startups do not need to be working on accessibility technology to apply.
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Tentative Schedule

• Accelerator Bootcamp Sessions: Tuesdays from 11:00 - 1:00PM EST
• Speaker Series: Wednesdays from 1:00 - 3:00PM EST
• Coaching sessions- As determined with your coach (at least once a week, for 6 weeks)
• Week of July 26th Pitch Competition.

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