Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. Each year, they employ more than half of the nation’s private workforce, generate new jobs, drive innovation, and enhance U.S. competitiveness. The small businesses of Washington, DC are no exception. DC Health Link and its business partners proudly support the vital growth and development of the DC small business community, recognizing its essential role in strengthening the District’s economy and contributing to the broader DC community.

The annual POWERUP DC is a premier business summit that offers invaluable information and resources to business owners and nonprofit professionals interested in launching, growing, and thriving in their ventures. Featuring a diverse array of professional seminars, interactive workshops, and dynamic networking sessions, POWERUP DC 2025 is tailored to empower DC small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders as they navigate their unique paths to success.

General admission to the event is FREE and includes a continental breakfast, an open plenary session, workshop tracks, business coaching, speed networking opportunities, access to a vendor marketplace, and a POWERUP registration bag. Please note that the Executive Luncheon is a separately ticketed event. Also, keep in mind that each track occurs at the same time, so participants must choose only one to attend.

SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS

Track A: Pre-Venture(Pre-Start Up) | Self-Employment
This session is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals interested in becoming self-employed. In this session, participants will hear from experts about the key considerations and steps necessary to establish a successful business. The panel will also cover franchising opportunities, various business models, and valuable lessons learned to help avoid common pitfalls when starting out. In addition, attendees will receive information about mentoring resources available to support them on their entrepreneurial journey.

Track B: Newly Established Business
This session is designed for newly established businesses of 3 years or less. Panelists will share knowledge and skills to equip current entrepreneurs with tools to manage and grow their businesses effectively. Information will be presented on Licensing, Access to Capital, PR and Marketing, Business Certifications, AI technology, and DC-based Programs and Incentives. Small business owners will share advise, and tips and success stories.

Track C: Established Businesses
This session is designed for established business owners and non-profit leaders seeking to scale their resource development strategies and relationships for growth and prosperity. Panelists will share effective approaches to building operational resiliency, setting sustainable business goals, and competitively pursuing procurement and financial opportunities. Participants will gain techniques for adapting to complex economic and political changes, cultivating successful business relationships, and implementing innovative practices for continued success.

Track D: Women in Business
Women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges when starting, growing, and thriving in business. This session will focus on overcoming barriers and building a pathway to success for women in business. Accomplished women entrepreneurs will share insights, tips, and best practices on seizing opportunities in the business world, and offer advice on leveraging ingenuity, innovation, and influence to succeed.

Track E: Financial Technology (FinTech): Optimizing Your Finances Using Digitalization
This workshop is designed to provide business owners with skills to implement technology in daily business operations and to navigate the venture and capital ecosystem. Attendees will learn from experts how to leverage technology to identify challenges, risks and opportunities for business growth as well as to explore technology for their financial needs.

SPEED NETWORKING & BUSINESS COACHING

Small business speed networking and coaching sessions are valuable tools for everyone. It is designed as a one-on-one interactive session with resource partners to obtain information quickly and have your questions answered by experts. The forum allows networking with senior business executives to generate business contacts and relationships between small businesses, private organizations, federal agencies, nonprofits and/or prime contractors. This is an added component to POWERUP DC that occurs following the Workshops.

POWERUP DC GOODS AND SERVICES MARKETPLACE

The POWERUP DC Marketplace is an interactive space where participants can explore and learn about the wide range of goods and services offered by DC government agencies and the local business community. Several Made in DC vendors will be onsite, showcasing their unique offerings. Made in DC is a local initiative that supports and promotes businesses that design, make, produce, or assemble their products right here in the District.

THE POWERUP EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON

This Executive Business Luncheon is a ticketed event featuring accomplished business owners who will share their innovative and inspiring success stories with key takeaways to inform your business decisions in a changing landscape. Space is Limited! Reserve your seat today.

Note: Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. Please contact David Diaz at [email protected] by Wednesday, April 30th.