Buckle up: InnoMAYtion starts this week

For the D.C. government and its relationship to small business and innovation, the month of May means just one thing — InnoMAYtion. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s monthlong celebration of entrepreneurship in the District is back for its third year running and it all starts Thursday night, May 4, with a kickoff party at the Carnegie Library.

Per the initiative’s website, the three goals of the month of events and announcements is much the same as it was last year. That is:

1. “Foster a collaborative environment between the government, residents, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are improving the District and making the nation’s capital a global model;”
2. “Strengthen, showcase, and support DC’s innovation ecosystem, especially efforts around inclusion for underserved communities and entrepreneurs;” and
3. “Highlight pathways to inclusion for all DC residents to participate in the innovation economy.”

All events will take place around four different verticals: impact economy, smart cities and civic solutions, youth in STEM and entrepreneurship and women in STEM and entrepreneurship. Big events coming up include a hackathon cohosted by the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the Washington Post.

All in all, InnoMAYtion provides a focal point for Bowser’s perennial mantra on D.C.’s innovation economy: Make it the most inclusive.

Want to be there? Visit the InnoMAYtion site to see what’s happening this month and to get involved.