Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bowie BIC Welcomes Nine Firms to Cohort 16 as Its Award-Winning 8(a) Accelerator Expands to 8(a)+
The new 8(a)+ Accelerator builds on a proven model and opens access to other SBA-certified small businesses.
BOWIE, Md. (October 19, 2026) — The Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC) announced the launch of Cohort 16 on October 2, 2026, welcoming nine SBA-certified 8(a) firms. This year also marks the transition of its nationally recognized 8(a) Accelerator to the 8(a)+ Accelerator, expanding the award-winning program beyond 8(a) firms to other SBA-certified small businesses.
Building on the nation’s first accelerator dedicated exclusively to 8(a) government contractors, 8(a)+ will extend the program’s targeted training, strategic mentorship, and peer collaboration to a broader community of certified businesses. Cohort 16 participants will refine federal capture strategies, receive feedback on implementation plans, prepare to present their capabilities to federal contracting decision-makers, and build relationships that can lead to contracting opportunities.
The Accelerator continues to demonstrate measurable results. Over the past two years, 96 participating companies have generated more than $190 million in revenue. In its most recent program year, Bowie BIC served 478 8(a) firms, nearly five times its annual target of 100. All 35 Accelerator participants completed the program, every participant identified a new government client to pursue, and 65% increased company revenue by at least 10% within one year.
“Each session builds on fundamentals for repeatable processes to employ for the capture lifecycle,” said Jeffrey Artis, a former 8(a) Accelerator participant with Info Gain Consulting, LLC.
The Accelerator’s cohort-based model also helped shape Bowie BIC’s $3 million Center of Excellence for 8(a) Government Contracting, which supports 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 35 8(a) firms nationwide.
“Being selected for this Accelerator is an accomplishment, and we are excited to welcome these nine companies,” said June Evans, Executive Director of Bowie BIC. “Sixteen cohorts in, we’ve seen how the right training, strategy, and relationships can help talented 8(a) firms become more competitive and better positioned to win federal contracts. The move to 8(a)+ allows us to bring that approach to even more SBA-certified businesses.”
Capital One has supported the growth of Bowie BIC’s 8(a) Accelerator for more than eight years, helping expand opportunities for firms competing in the federal marketplace. Bowie BIC appreciates Capital One’s longstanding commitment to the program as it enters this next chapter.
About the Bowie Business Innovation Center
The Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC) is a business accelerator and expert network serving under-resourced and undercapitalized small businesses in the Greater Washington metropolitan area and beyond. Through targeted training, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, Bowie BIC helps firms strengthen financial readiness, pursue government contracts, and grow sustainably. Its nationally recognized 8(a) Accelerator is transitioning to the 8(a)+ Accelerator to serve a broader range of SBA-certified small businesses. Learn more at www.bowiebic.com.
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Media Contact
Crystal Clark, Bowie Business Innovation Center
301-383-1550 | crystal.clark@bowiebic.com