Founders in the DMV are gaining a new year-round support system to scale their companies, thanks to the expansion of DC Startup & Tech Week.
As the organization enters its 11th year, our flagship conference is returning this fall from Oct. 19 to 23 — save the date! But moving forward, the region’s No. 1 startup conference, having built momentum, is no longer just a one-week affair.
Looking back on my journey, I owe a debt of gratitude to this platform.
Darius Clair, DCSTW
I started here four years ago as a volunteer for DCSTW’s Early Stage track. Looking back on my journey, I owe a debt of gratitude to this platform. It was the conduit for my own community and has served as a massive catalyst for our local innovation ecosystem. Even having worked with global accelerators that boast a massive international portfolio like Techstars, the consistent support, impact, and platform I see here at DCSTW is unmatched.
The economic stakes for our region are higher than ever right now. The conference recently generated an estimated $3.2 million in direct impact, helping fuel the broader tech growth in the DMV, and it is projected to drive $10 million to $20 million in long-term impact through investments, company formations, and talent hiring initiated during the week.
A 365-day engine for innovation
While the October week remains the region’s premier summit, anchoring the ecosystem with over 9,000 attendees and more than 360 speakers, we have evolved into a year-round engine.
Our 2026 roadmap doubles down on structured, hands-on impact through a suite of consistent programming designed to help startups scale:
- Founder-first resources: We are introducing dedicated founder coworking days and founder office hours to provide the mentorship startups need beyond the conference.
- Consistent connection: Founders can expect the return of community favorites like Startup Your Mornings, Workshop Wednesdays, and curated community happy hours. (View the DCSTW Community Events Page)
- Intimate networking: We are coordinating exclusive private partner dinners and events bridging high-growth talent and institutional capital.
From regional hub to global stage
Our 2025 Impact Report highlights a huge shift in scope: DCSTW is no longer just a local gathering; it is a global destination.
The conference now reaches participants across 17 countries and 27 US cities. International engagement has become a core pillar, with 27% of attendee engagement coming from outside the US.
“The last ten years were about proving the DMV is a viable tech hub,” said DCSTW Director Rachel Koretsky. “The next era is about proving we are a global leader. We are being incredibly intentional about opening our stage to founders from across the world — from the 27 countries represented in 2025 to new coordinated international delegations for 2026. We are bridging the gap between innovation, venture, and the unique policy landscape of the Capital Region.”
Looking ahead, the target attendance for 2026 is between 10,000 and 12,000, continuing the trend of scale and massive success stories. For partners and sponsors, getting involved is an opportunity to lead the charge in the East Coast’s most significant tech expansion.
“We are thinking bigger than ever. We want our partners to be co-architects of this next era,” Koretsky said. “The momentum is here, the infrastructure is year-round, and the global stage is set.”
