TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

EXPERT HOURS

WACIF partners with DC Area Expert Advisors to provide technical assistance and one-on-one services during Expert Open Hours at the Cultivate Summit. Through the Cultivate Summit registration, attendees will have the opportunity to pre-register in these one-on-one meetings.

Expert Open Hours will take place from 11:00 am through 1:50 pm. During this time expert advisors will be available to meet one-on-one with summit attendees to provide support and technical assistance on a variety of topics such as accounting, legal matters, Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) certification, Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Capital readiness and business financing, credit building, and banking.

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Technical Assistance Expert Hours experts is not included with the general Summit registration. To secure a one-on-one meeting with one of our Technical Assistance experts, attendees must complete an additional registration process to secure a guaranteed appointment time. Pre-registration ensures reserved time with an advisor and allows attendees to receive tailored technical assistance aligned with their business needs.

If pre-registration appointment slots fill prior to the Summit, limited onsite sign-ups may be available on the day of the event. Onsite availability is subject to provider capacity and is not guaranteed. Attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register in advance to ensure access to personalized technical assistance.

EXPERT PROVIDERS

Advisors will be available to meet one-on-one with summit attendees to provide support and technical assistance on a variety of topics such as accounting, legal matters, Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) certification, Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification, Capital readiness and business financing, and credit building.

Certified Up: CBE Certification

Meet with a DSLBD representative to learn more about the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) certification. The CBE program helps position your business to better compete in DC government contracting opportunities.

Meet the DSLBD Experts

Capital Readiness & Business Financing

Meet with WACIF team members to learn more about access to capital products and and other services.

Meet the WACIF Experts

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Gain insight into business banking solutions, financing options, and how to build strong relationships with lenders to support business growth.

Meet the Pinnacle Bank Experts

Latino Economic Development Center

Meet with a member of the LEDC team to discuss tools to take control of your personal finances and credit score. Learn about financial products specifically tailored to improve your personal credit standing and knowledge of what goes into a credit score and how it impacts your financial goals

Certified Up: WBE & WOSB Certification

Meet with a WBEC Greater DMV representative and learn more about the Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and Women Owned-Small Business (WOSB) Certifications.

Meet the WBEC Experts

Meet the LEDC Experts

Certified Up:
Capital Region
Minority Supplier
Development Council

Learn more about the MBE Certification and Capital Readiness.

Meet the CRMSDC Experts

D.C. Bar
Pro Bono Center

Meet with legal professionals to discuss brief legal information.

Meet the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Experts

Global Strategic Advisors Group (GSAG)

Receive guidance on business certification readiness and strategic planning to position your company for growth and government contracting opportunities.

Meet the GSAG Experts

Virginia Department of Small Business Supplier Diversity (VA-SBSD)

Learn how to navigate state contracting opportunities and become certified as a small, women-owned, or minority-owned business in Virginia.

Meet the VA-SBSD Experts

Deloitte

Meet with Deloitte advisors for personalized support on business development and technology enablement, and learn how to leverage digital solutions to grow and strengthen your business.

Meet the Deloitte Experts

Frequently Asked Questions about Technical Assistance Expert Hours

What are Expert Open Hours?

Expert Open Hours provide registered Summit attendees with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with trusted D.C. area expert advisors for personalized technical assistance. Topics include accounting, legal matters, business certifications (CBE, WBE, WOSB), capital readiness, business financing, and credit building.

Do I need to be registered for the Summit to participate in Expert Open Hours?

Yes. Attendees must be registered for the Cultivate Summit in order to sign up for a one-on-one technical assistance session during Expert Open Hours.

How do I register for a one-on-one Expert Open Hours session?

To participate in Expert Open Hours, attendees must complete a separate pre-registration to secure a guaranteed one-on-one appointment time with an expert provider. Appointment slots are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is Expert Open Hours included with my Summit registration?

No. While Expert Open Hours take place during the Summit, access to one-on-one technical assistance requires separate pre-registration and is not automatically included with Summit registration.

What happens if Expert Open Hours sessions fill up before the Summit?

If all pre-registration appointment slots are filled prior to the Summit, limited onsite sign-ups may be available on the day of the event. Onsite availability is subject to provider capacity and is not guaranteed.

When will Expert Open Hours take place?

Expert Open Hours will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:50 PM on the day of the Summit.

How many one-on-one sessions can I register for?

Each attendee may register for one guaranteed one-on-one session, unless otherwise noted. This ensures equitable access to technical assistance for all participants.