Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum - September 23, IN PERSON in DC

You are cordially invited to our 2026 Health Innovation Spotlight, an evening bringing together healthcare leaders, social impact investors, and entrepreneurs working in health equity and innovation. Join us as we feature solutions from our newest cohort of health entrepreneurs and engage in a panel discussion on the future of health innovation. Agenda 5:30 PM: Doors Open – Networking & Refreshments 6:00 PM: Opening Remarks – Welcome from Halcyon & Kaiser Permanente Leadership 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM: Panel Discussion – Insights from Industry Leaders on Health Equity & Innovation 6:45 PM – 7:00 PM: Fellow Pitches – Pitches from Featured Health Cohort Startups 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Networking & Closing – Connect with Founders, Leaders, and Fellow Attendees Featured Cohort & Fellows: Below are the featured ventures in this year's 2026 US Health Accelerator Cohort. Cove (McCall Brinskele) – Cove is a medical device company developing a standardized at-home menstrual fluid collection system for diagnostics and regenerative medicine. Their platform enables researchers and clinicians to access a previously untapped biological sample type with consistent, research-grade quality. Freyya, Inc. (Gabriele G. Niederauer) – Freyya, Inc. is a wearable biofeedback platform that provides real-time monitoring during everyday activities, enabling clinicians to remotely guide therapy, improve adherence, expand access to care, and deliver objective data that supports better treatment outcomes for women suffering from pelvic floor disorders. Gisens Biotech (Luis Pierpauli) – Gisens Biotech is replacing periodic lab snapshots with real-time, non-invasive biomarker monitoring powered by nanobiosensors and AI to serve health systems, nephrology and cardiology practices, and value-based care organizations managing patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome. Jeeva AI Health Systems LLC (Sudhakar Kaushik) – Jeeva AI Health Systems LLC is a collaborative care inf

👉 Register to attend. Free, limited seats. 💸 DC Fintech Summit 2026: The New Rules of Money 📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026 🕗 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET 📍 Station DC, 1323 4th St NE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20002 ✨ About the Event We’re excited to announce the return of the 3rd Annual DC Fintech Summit, hosted by the DC Tech & Venture Coalition in partnership with the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) Office of Innovation! The Summit brings together leaders at the intersection of policy, capital, and innovation to examine how fintech is evolving in 2026. Discussions center on federal stablecoin legislation and rulemaking, AI agents in finance, emerging payment infrastructure, investment strategies, and the regulatory and commercial opportunities shaping the industry. 🏁 What You’ll Gain Regulatory Clarity on federal stablecoin law, rulemaking, and what banks, payments firms, and startups must do now Innovation Insights into stablecoins, emerging money rails, AI agents in finance, and the governance challenges surrounding data, fraud, and liability Investor Perspective through a reverse pitch exploring investment strategies, founder support, and capital opportunities in and around DC Exposure to Live Products through the application-based Fintech Company Demo featuring five founders and four-minute fintech demos Direct Access to Resources through 15–20 resource tables covering legal and compliance, banking, capital programs, talent, office space, and accelerators 🎯 Who Should Attend Fintech entrepreneurs and executives, founders and startup teams, investors and venture capitalists, regulators and policymakers, financial institutions and service providers, banking and payments professionals, lawyers and compliance experts, academics and researchers, and community and nonprofit leaders working to advance financial innovation, responsible regulation, and equitable access to financial services. 💡 Agenda Highlights 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Resource Marketplac

Please join Issues in Science and Technology and the Engaging Scientists & Engineers in Policy (ESEP) Coalition for an informal, no-host happy hour on Thursday, November 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET at the Alley Bar at Lost & Found DC (1240 9th St. NW). Outside food is permitted, and the Issues team will provide pizza (first come, first served). We look forward to seeing colleagues and friends in the science policy community and discussing recent developments, including the results of the midterm elections. We ask that you RSVP here; please direct any questions to Kim Quach (kimberly.quach@asu.edu) or Sarah Rovito (sarah.rovito@gmail.com).

A mission statement for the summit The DMV Executive Business Leadership Summit exists to connect entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small business owners with executives, government leaders, funding organizations, and strategic partners who can help them access capital, grow their organizations, secure business space, and strengthen the regional economy. Building Relationships. Creating Opportunities. Strengthening Communities. Join us for an afternoon of leadership, networking, and collaboration at the Inaugural DMV Executive & Business Leadership Summit . This premier networking event will bring together 80 executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, government representatives, investors, and community leaders from across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Whether you're looking to grow your business, expand your professional network, explore partnerships, or connect with decision-makers, this summit is designed to create meaningful opportunities in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

The results of the 2026 midterm elections will shape the policy, funding, and regulatory landscape for years to come. Join DLA Piper for an exclusive discussion examining what the election outcomes mean for venture-backed companies, founders, and investors seeking to grow their businesses through government opportunities. Meet our Panelists: Brandon Rios — Partner, Co-Lead, Congressional Investigations, DLA Piper Jake Greenberg — Co-Lead, Congressional Investigations, DLA Piper Kevin Milgram — Partner, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital (EGVC), DLA Piper Dawn Stern — Partner, Global Co-Chair, Government Contracting, DLA Piper Mike Walsh — Partner, National Security and Global Trade, DLA Piper The panel will provide practical insights into the shifting political environment and the implications for companies pursuing federal contracts, government-funded initiatives, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Topics will include: Key election results and key changes in congressional leadership The outlook for federal spending, appropriations, and budget priorities Government contracting opportunities and risks under a new Congress Emerging policy developments affecting innovation, technology, defense, and other growth sectors What founders, executives, and investors should be monitoring as Washington sets its agenda for 2027 Whether you are a founder exploring the government marketplace, an investor evaluating portfolio company exposure, or an executive focused on growth through public sector opportunities, this briefing will provide actionable insights on what lies ahead and how to position your business for success. A networking reception will follow the program.