DC Startup & Tech Week

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DC Startup & Tech Week

We are so excited to share with you the DC Startup & Tech Week 2024 schedule! If you are early stage to growth stage founder, entrepreneur, investor, or looking to work with startups we have 14 tracks of content with over 150 sessions, 250 speakers that have been curated for you.

Ready to personalize your schedule and add sessions to your calendar? First register and purchase your ticket on Eventbrite, then you will receive an email to personalize your schedule. If you already registered, create your schedule today.

9:30am EDT

Morning Coffee & Networking National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

10:00am EDT

Welcome Remarks from Ryan Touhill, Director of Arlington Economic Development National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

10:30am EDT

Scaling in a New Work Era: How AI & Post-Covid Trends Are Redefining Business, Workspaces & Growth with the Evan Regan-Levine the Head of Strategy for JBG Smith National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

10:45am EDT

Finding our "silicon" - How to build a Trillion dollar startup & venture ecosystem National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

11:00am EDT

VC Math: What Founders MUST Know National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street)

11:30am EDT

Unlocking Opportunities: Growth Strategies for Startups with CTA and CES National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

12:00pm EDT

Lunch & Networking National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

12:30pm EDT

Common Strategic Mistakes by SaaS founders in Building the Software Products, and How to Avoid Them National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street) The Present & Future of Creator Economy National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

1:00pm EDT

Afternoon Kickoff & Welcome by Joe Benevento, VIPC President and CEO National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith) The Business of AI: The Foundations Every Founder Needs to Know That Will Drive Innovation for Decades to Come National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show Supercharge Your Startup: Unlocking IRA & Local Incentives for Growth National Landing (Arlington): Zebox

1:05pm EDT

How Do I Become a Unicorn Company? National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

1:30pm EDT

Generative AI Use Cases That Are Disrupting Industry National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show Web3 Funding Trends: What Are VCs Investing In? National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Introduction to User Centered Design for Startup Founders National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street)

1:50pm EDT

From Local Solutions to Global Impact: Lessons in Scaling and Adaptability with Gravity Water's Founder, Danny Wright National Landing (Arlington): Zebox What’s Getting Funded – and Why??? National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

2:00pm EDT

The Disruptor’s Blueprint: How to Build AI Products in an Uncertain World National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show

2:15pm EDT

Bridging Traditional Finance & Digital Assets: Institutional Investments in Crypto National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

2:20pm EDT

Unlocking Impact Through Private & Public Partnerships in the $5TR Water Industry National Landing (Arlington): Zebox

2:30pm EDT

Optimizing Your Onboarding Experience: A Mini UX Audit National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street)

2:35pm EDT

A Look Behind the Curtain, How Investors Approach Early Stage Diligence National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

2:55pm EDT

Cyber Wars: A Debate on How AI and Tools Empower Both Sides of the Fight and What Founders Need to Know Be Safe National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show

3:00pm EDT

The RASA Story: Building, Funding, and Scaling a Disruptive Hospitality Venture National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

3:05pm EDT

Can AI Solve the Challenges It's Creating? Renewably Powering Data Centers National Landing (Arlington): Zebox DeFi: The Rise of Community-Driven Finance in Web3 National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

3:30pm EDT

Bootstrapping to ARR with No-Code/Low-Code National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street)

3:35pm EDT

Scaling Smarter: The Power of Strategic Partnerships To Accelerate Your Startup Growth National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

3:40pm EDT

Beyond Chatbots: Unlocking the Future of AI & Business with Personalized, Autonomous Agents National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

3:45pm EDT

Becoming a B-Corp Movement: How it's profitable to do good - Climate Edition National Landing (Arlington): Zebox

4:00pm EDT

Founder-Led Innovation: Transforming Industries with Blockchain National Landing (Arlington) Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

4:15pm EDT

AI and Emerging Tech: A Investor Perspective on Founder Opportunities, Challenges & Outlook National Landing (Arlington): Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - The Big Show

4:20pm EDT

Path to Acquisition: Steps Every Founder & Investor Should Know to Prepare A Startup for a Successful Exit National Landing (Arlington): National Landing Experience Center (JBG Smith)

4:30pm EDT

Cracking the Code: Winning Federal Contracts & Grants for Climate Tech Startups National Landing (Arlington): Zebox Beyond Code: Crafting Effective Discussions to Further Technical Decision-Making National Landing (Arlington): Conference Center (251 18th Street)

5:00pm EDT

Networking & Innovation Mixer @ Water Bar sponsored by JBG SMITH National Landing (Arlington) Water Bar

9:30am EDT

Morning Networking Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) Meditation and Mindfulness, sponsored by Zenjoy Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space)

10:00am EDT

Unleashing the Power of Brand, Influence & AI: Fireside Chat with Marty Carroll, Red Bull's Marketing Maverick & Former Nike Innovator Martin Luther King Jr. Library How to Build a Paid Public Speaking Business Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) How To Validate Your Idea Before Spending Money Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) How to secure corporate clients and partnership using your current expertise and services Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) Mission Model Canvas - Building Company Culture and Values Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center)

10:30am EDT

The Future of Augmented Reality & Artificial Intelligence: Fireside chat with Andre Byers, Founder of New Era Ventures Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium)

11:00am EDT

Brand Vibes & Market Power: Growth Strategies that Stick Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium) The Art of Collaboration: Build Relationships that Last Beyond the Project Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) Effective Leadership: Creating an Engaged & Activated Organizational Culture Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) Cheat Codes to Take Your Pitch to the Next Level Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) Unlocking Funding Strategies and Non-Dilutive SBIR/STTR Funding Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center)

11:50am EDT

Making It Real: Applied AI for Insights, Operations, and Customer Engagement Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium)

12:00pm EDT

Legal Aspects of Fundraising Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) Reclaim Your Freedom and Time by Delegating and Automating Your Business Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center)

1:00pm EDT

How to get high-quality leads and sales on repeat for your company (without paying for expensive ads or burning out creating social media content that no one sees)! Martin Luther King Jr. Library Protecting Your Intellectual Property (IP): From Idea to Reality with USPTO Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) How to Build a 5-Year Financial Forecast Model for Startups (Hands-on Financial Tool in MS Excel) Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Event Space) Transitioning from Founder-led Sales to Hiring Your First Sales Rep Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) From Storytelling to Sales: Content Marketing that Converts Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center)

1:45pm EDT

Business Finance Mastery: Cashflow Rules Everything Around Me Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center)

1:50pm EDT

Culture is Currency: Investing in HBCU Founders Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Auditorium) Self-Made is a Myth - Building your Personal Advisory Board as a Founder Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center)

2:00pm EDT

Breathwork for Clarity and Focus International Square Conference Center Hiring for Culture: Building Your Team's Values from the First Hire Martin Luther King Jr. Library (Conference Center) DMV Tech Nexus: Cyber & AI Salon (Invite Only Event) in Partnership with US Ignite and InnovateDMV Invite-Only Pitch Social: Practice Your 3 Minute Pitch Live & Get Real-Time Feedback! National Union Building (4N)

5:00pm EDT

Dirty Habit Happy Hour Dirty Habit

6:00pm EDT

TasteLab: Demystifying the Intersection of Art and Tech 2442 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE

6:30pm EDT

CPG & Consumer Tech VIP Reception hosted by Compass Coffee, Entrepreneur Ventures, Union Kitchen & The Well Compass Coffee

9:00am EDT

Build Breakfast Club: Immigration & Eggs Studio By Tishman Speyer Morning Coffee & Networking International Square: 5th Floor

10:00am EDT

Fireside Chat with [solidcore]'s General Counsel, Dimple Manghnani Studio By Tishman Speyer Who’s Funding Good? The Investor’s View on Backing Impact Ventures International Square Conference Center Round Table Discussion: The Future of U.S. Economic Strategy: Pros and Cons of Establishing a Sovereign Wealth International Square Conference Center GW Law Clinic: General Non-Profit Law and Entrepreneurship Guidance: Sign up for a 1-1 15 minute Session International Square Conference Center: Small Conference Room Startup Showcase & Resource Expo International Square: 5th Floor

10:30am EDT

Being a Non-Technical Founder in a Tech-world International Square: 5th Floor

10:35am EDT

Innovative Trends Shaping the Future of Mental Health and Wellness Studio By Tishman Speyer

10:45am EDT

Assembling a Purpose-Driven Team: Advisors, Co-Founders, and Early Hires International Square Conference Center

11:15am EDT

Build a Rock Solid Infrastructure, Systems and Operations Before Scaling Your Early Stage Startup International Square: 5th Floor

11:25am EDT

Helping Startups Navigate the Legal and Regulatory Landscape Studio By Tishman Speyer

11:30am EDT

Unlocking Growth: How Strategic Partnerships Fuel Profit and Purpose International Square Conference Center

12:00pm EDT

How Companies are Building at the Intersection of AI, Healthcare, and Mental Health Studio By Tishman Speyer Lunch & Networking International Square Conference Center

12:30pm EDT

Book Fair! Female Founder & Funder Author Signing International Square Conference Center

12:50pm EDT

Investment Opportunities in the Mental Health and Wellness Space Studio By Tishman Speyer

1:00pm EDT

Speed Networking Sessions International Square Conference Center Future of Brand, Marketing, and Influence in an AI-Driven World International Square: 5th Floor

1:30pm EDT

Kick Off: Female Founder & Funder Track International Square Conference Center

1:35pm EDT

Components of a Winning Startup Culture & Team Studio By Tishman Speyer

1:40pm EDT

Inside Baseball: Building a Financial Model as a Founder & Breaking it as a VC International Square Conference Center

1:50pm EDT

All Rights Reserved: Protecting IP in the AI Era International Square: 5th Floor

2:10pm EDT

GTM Strategy for Startups: Crafting Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) International Square Conference Center

2:20pm EDT

Swipe Left or Swipe Right: Dating Advice for Entrepreneurs in the DMV Studio By Tishman Speyer

2:35pm EDT

How Businesses & Industries are Using AI Right Now to Scale International Square: 5th Floor

2:40pm EDT

Curious Calendar Game International Square Conference Center

3:00pm EDT

Shark Tank Business Pitch Reviews with Casting Consultant Brandon Andrews (Approved Applications Only) Invite-Only

3:05pm EDT

Equity Crowdfunding a Venture Capital Alternative Workshop Studio By Tishman Speyer

3:10pm EDT

The Newlywed Game: Female Founder & Funder Edition International Square Conference Center Product Development in the Age of AI International Square: 5th Floor

3:30pm EDT

Beyond Venture Capital: Finding the right type of investment capital to fund your business International Square Conference Center Breaking Barriers: The Truth About Therapy, Executive Coaching, and Unlocking Your Full Potential International Square Conference Center (Board room)

3:50pm EDT

Coffee, Stretch & Networking Break! International Square Conference Center Fireside Chat with Erin Reddick, CEO of BlackChatGPT: Is AI Destined to Be Biased? What Every Founder Must Know to Build Ethical AI International Square: 5th Floor

4:00pm EDT

Pitch Party – Female Founder Pitches International Square Conference Center Founders Forum: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey International Square Conference Center (Board room)

4:25pm EDT

Pitch Party – Female VC Pitches International Square Conference Center

4:30pm EDT

Meet the AI Robots International Square: 5th Floor

4:50pm EDT

Coffee, Stretch & Networking Break! International Square Conference Center

5:00pm EDT

Story Hour: What Women Do Better International Square Conference Center

6:00pm EDT

Celebration of Women in Tech Happy Hour International Square: Rooftop!

9:00am EDT

Morning Coffee & Networking Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) Founder + Developer Networking Coffee Hour Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop

10:00am EDT

Inclusive Innovation and Equity Impact Fund Awardees Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) Your Business Breakthrough: Balancing Happiness and Scale to Drive More Impact & Profit Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) Dual-Use Ventures: Identifying the Right Time for Private Investment Eaton Hotel (Crystal) Legal Essentials 101 for Startups Eaton Hotel Collaborative Futures: Leveraging AI for Social Impact in Public and Nonprofit Spheres Eaton Hotel

10:10am EDT

The Mocktail Movement: Shaking Up the Beverage Industry Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

10:15am EDT

Future of Cannabis: Insights from Founders and Funders in Cannabis Panel Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop

11:00am EDT

Welcome Remarks Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) From Startup to Scale Up in Government Contracting – Lessons from the Trenches Eaton Hotel (Salon) The State of the Cannabis Market in the DMV Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop Using Design Thinking and the Lean Startup Methodology to Create Your Startup Eaton Hotel (Barnett-Aden)

11:05am EDT

Fireside Chat: The Outlook for Life Science Innovators in the DMV Eaton Hotel (Salon)

11:30am EDT

Scaling Innovation: The Formula Behind Growing and Scaling Your Tech Company in the DMV Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

11:40am EDT

Fireside Chat: The Impact of AI on Life Sciences and Healthcare Innovation Eaton Hotel (Salon)

11:45am EDT

Growth Strategies for Dual Use Technologies: Navigating Government and Commercial Market Opportunities Eaton Hotel (Crystal) Startup Success: Navigating the Early-Stage Cannabis Industry Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop

12:00pm EDT

Lunch & Networking Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

12:45pm EDT

Cannabis Tech Revolution: AI, LLMs, and Beyond Panel Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop

1:00pm EDT

Shark Tank Startup Success Stories: Scaling from Pitch to Profit-- The DMV Edition Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow) Innovating at a Distance: How to Lead Remote R&D Teams Eaton Hotel

1:05pm EDT

Lessons Learned & Best Practices with Startups & Government Partnerships Eaton Hotel (Crystal)

1:15pm EDT

The Quest for Resources: Unlocking Opportunities for Life Sciences Startups Eaton Hotel (Salon)

1:30pm EDT

Cultivating Global Innovation Ecosystems Through Public-Private Partnerships Eaton Hotel (Crystal) Branding in Cannabis: Strategies to Thrive in a Competitive Market Panel Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop

2:00pm EDT

Building AI Agentic Workflows and Automations on AWS (Laptop Required) - No AI/ML Experience is Necessary Eaton Hotel

2:15pm EDT

The Life Science Innovators’ Showcase Eaton Hotel (Salon) From Risk to Reward: Unlocking Startup Growth and Scaling Strategies Eaton Hotel Policy, Compliance, and Finance: Navigating Cannabis Regulations Panel Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop

2:55pm EDT

Closing Remarks by Rachel Rath, Johnson & Johnson, Head of JLABs @Washington DC Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

3:00pm EDT

DCSTW24 Early Stage & Growth Stage Pitch Competition Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

4:15pm EDT

Turning Failure Into Growth Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

4:45pm EDT

Announcement of Pitch Competition Winners & Closing Remarks Eaton Hotel (Beverly Snow)

5:00pm EDT

Closing Happy Hour Bash: Celebrate, Connect, and Unwind on the Rooftop, Wild Days! Eaton Hotel: Wild Days Rooftop