Halcyon is moving its headquarters to a WeWork in downtown DC after 11 years in a Georgetown mansion, the global startup accelerator on Wednesday announced.
That the highly-respected program would be moving to a new home was already known, but the final destination had been up in the air.
That the highly-respected program would be relocating was already known, but the final destination had been up in the air.
Leaders told Technical.ly about it in July, citing the desire to be more centrally located as a driving factor. Public transportation is lacking in Georgetown — there’s no dedicated Metro station, and the DC Circulator bus system stopped running in 2024 due to budget concerns.
“Our new headquarters places Halcyon at the center of DC’s vibrant startup community,” said the announcement on Halcyon’s website, “in a state-of-the-art facility that is metro accessible, ADA compliant and more flexible for our evolving programming.”
The relocation will be official on Jan. 12, according to the announcement, which says Halcyon reviewed more than 30 locations before deciding on the coworking space at 1100 15th St. NW.
The accelerator is also looking for spaces in other cities where its programming occurs, though its headquarters will remain in DC, senior communications manager Chris Schraeder told Technical.ly. Halcyon may use WeWorks in other locations for its fellowships and events.
Potential expansion cities include Pittsburgh; Bogota, Columbia; and Accra, Ghana.
Halcyon’s fellowships are focused on impactful entrepreneurship with climate, health and Equitytech verticals. Its programming has stretched beyond the US to Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean since its founding in 2014, and more than 600 founders have taken part.
All fellowships will now be hybrid with in-person residencies at the beginning and end of the program, with the remainder of the time being virtual, according to the post. Previously, fellows were hosted and housed at the Georgetown mansion.
Halcyon is “exploring accommodations” for fellows during in-person programming in DC, per Schraeder.
“While Halcyon started with residential fellowships, we have responded to the shifting needs of founders who are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of their ventures around the world,” the statement reads. “We support proximate founders — those who are closest to the problems they are solving — and we are responding with programming that is adaptable and flexible to their needs.”
Halcyon did not directly say what will happen to the home in Georgetown.
“This carefully planned move honors cofounder Sachiko Kuno’s succession planning vision and sets the stage for Halcyon’s continued evolution and growth,” Schraeder said.
Kuno shared similar sentiment.
“I’m currently considering various options and opportunities,” Kuno told Technical.ly. “The house, as the birthplace of Halcyon has a special place in my heart, and I’m proud to support their continuing journey and next chapter.”
Updated on Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. with a comment from Halcyon cofounder Sachiko Kuno
