The DC Chamber of Commerce selected 10 D.C. small businesses for a five-month accelerator program focused on artificial intelligence.

The Chamber announced the cohort Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Small Business Accelerator Program (SBAP), now in its third year, pairs under-resourced business owners and startup founders with experienced mentors for weekly workshops, one-on-one strategy sessions and access to Chamber business resources. The program runs from September through early 2027.

This year's theme is "Resilient Growth: Navigating the Modern Economy with AI." The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) sponsors the program, and DC Startup & Tech Week manages it.

The 2026 cohort includes:

  • Rhea Daniels, Papierdoll Factory
  • Darius Davie, Groom Guy
  • Darya Davis, DFs Cake Lounge LLC
  • Fidel GomezTorres, American Veteran Arts Collective (AVAC)
  • Genevieve Hanson, H & H Development Group
  • Robert Azeem Jackson, Cypher LLC
  • Courtney Ramsey, Courtney Ramsey & Co.
  • Candy Schibli, Southeastern Blend LLC
  • Patrick Scott, Altus Workforce Solutions LLC
  • Kelley Smith, Tides and Limes

Chinyere Hubbard, president and CEO of the DC Chamber, said the accelerator is the Chamber's way of removing barriers for founders trying to scale. "Growing our economy means strengthening our small businesses, the true engine of innovation, job creation, and community-level prosperity," Hubbard said in the announcement.

The AI focus is new. Darius Clair, the program's principal consultant, said the theme is meant to help entrepreneurs "grow smarter, faster and more sustainably" by learning to use the technology to their advantage.

Mentors come from firms including At First Glance Solutions, Wilson-Epes Printing Co., CitiLife Development and Accountify. Their expertise spans generative AI, cybersecurity, financial management and brand strategy, according to the Chamber.

Small businesses make up more than 98% of all businesses in D.C. and employ more than 233,000 residents, according to a May release from the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).

The program will end with a graduation showcase where each participant presents a 12-month growth plan.