About this Event
Contracts & Connections: 2026 ICAN Washington D.C. Small Business Networking Mixer & Panel Discussion
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and M&T Bank invite Baltimore small business owners to “Contracts & Connections,” an evening dedicated to helping Washington, D.C. small businesses pursue and grow through procurement. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 18th from 6:00–8:00pm ET at Venture X Adams Morgan.
Procurement can be one of the most meaningful pathways to sustained growth for a small business, yet the process of becoming contract-ready is often complex. This event brings together D.C. small business owners, procurement officers, and community partners to share practical insight and build relationships that lead to opportunity.
Event Highlights:
- Business Owner Panel: Local business owners who have completed ICIC and M&T Bank programs discuss their procurement journeys, from securing certifications and identifying the right opportunities to strengthening their operations for larger contracts.
- Procurement Officer Connections: Engage directly with representatives from a range of agencies and learn about upcoming opportunities.
- Peer Networking: Exchange experiences with fellow business owners at every stage of the contracting process, from first-time bidders to established vendors.
Who should attend:
This event is intended for owners of established small and mid-sized businesses that are pursuing or currently hold government or corporate contracts, as well as the business support organizations that serve them. It is not designed for ideation-stage founders or for individuals seeking employment with participating businesses.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The evening brings together D.C.'s small business owners, graduates of ICIC and M&T Bank’s Small Business Accelerator, and local partner organizations. ICIC is a national nonprofit (icic.org/programs) that helps small businesses in under-resourced communities grow, and more than 75% of its alumni go on to do business with one another. This event opens that network up to the wider D.C.'s small business community.
Event venue & nearby stays
Venture X Washington DC - Adams Morgan, 1763 Columbia Road Northwest, Washington, United States
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