2Gether-International is launching a cohort for DMV founders

DC-based 2Gether-International is returning to its roots by launching a brand-new local accelerator this summer.

2Gether, which launched in 2012, is an organization that hosts various programs for founders with disabilities. This time, the org is launching an accelerator specifically for founders with disabilities from DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. The program is supported by the Impact Initiative from Capital One, as well as a US Small Business Administration grant.

“The DC region has been a critical part of 2GI success,” 2Gether-International founder and CEO Diego Mariscal told Technical.ly in an email. “We are proud to host a DMV cohort that supports DC, Maryland or Virginia entrepreneurs, as well as connecting them with world-class international opportunities and networks.”

The seven-week program will be open to 12-to-15 founders and culminate in a pitch day, in which the founders will compete for $5,000 in funding. The programming will include business workshops specifically designed for founders with disabilities, peer-to-peer discussion groups and a number of guest speakers. The participants will also receive one-on-one coaching to help support their startup.

The program is scheduled to run from June 13 to July 26th and applications are due by May 2nd. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, 2Gether said, with finalists announced May 11.

In order to qualify for the accelerator, startups need to:

• Be led by at least one local founder with a disability (you can view 2Gether’s definition of a disability here)
  • Startups don’t need to be working on accessibility technology, though
• Be working on a high-growth company
• Have a product or MVP in the market
• Be able to meet and attend classes

This is the latest cohort from 2Gether, which has launched a number of accelerators for founders with disabilities since 2019.  In 2021, it created a tech-specific program in partnership with Google for Startups, which featured three local companies.