The DMV Climate Innovation Fellowship (2025) is a program designed to support entrepreneurs in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who are developing solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. This fellowship is run by Halcyon, an organization dedicated to fostering social entrepreneurship. Selected founders will receive expert training, key resources to accelerate their ventures, and participate in two in-person residency weeks in the DMV area. The program seeks to provide a structured environment for entrepreneurs to refine their product-market fit, become investment-ready, and enhance leadership skills.

The fellowship focuses on a broad range of climate-focused sectors, including renewable energy generation and storage, green building technologies, climate data and analytics, climate-smart agriculture and food systems, WaterTech, and the blue economy. These industries align with Halcyon’s mission to empower entrepreneurs working on high-impact solutions to environmental challenges. By participating in the program, ventures will gain access to expert training, mentorship, and networking opportunities that will help them scale their businesses and drive climate action in the region.

Up to 10 ventures will be selected for the cohort, all of which must be based in or serving the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. The program consists of multiple phases, beginning with a virtual kickoff meeting, followed by two in-person residency weeks in the DMV, and monthly virtual meetings. These structured engagements are designed to provide continued support to the fellows throughout the program.

The application process follows a structured timeline. Applications open on August 27, 2024, and close on October 18, 2024. Finalists will be invited to a virtual pitch session in November or December 2024. Selected fellows will be notified in December 2024. The fellowship officially kicks off with a virtual session on January 17, 2025. The first in-person residency week takes place from January 27-31, 2025, followed by monthly meetings on March 7, March 28, and April 18, 2025. The program concludes with a second in-person residency week from May 12-16, 2025.

The program does not specify any direct funding or grants for participants but focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, connections, and resources necessary to secure investment and scale their businesses. Ventures that are accepted into the program must be committed to attending all required sessions, including the in-person residencies.

For more information, interested applicants can contact Halcyon at their headquarters located at 3400 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007. Additional details about the program and application process can be found on Halcyon’s official website.