Founded by a group of passionate innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives, the DC Tech and Venture Coalition (DCTAV) aims to revolutionize the tech and innovation landscape of Washington, D.C. Kevin Morgan, the Founder and Executive Director, shares its mission: “We aim to establish Washington, D.C., as the epicenter of the world’s most influential tech and innovation ecosystem by driving transformative growth and fostering innovative companies at all stages that aim to make a significant impact in the world. We create competitive business advantages for tech and innovation companies in D.C. and the greater DMV area.”
From Humble Beginnings to a Powerful Innovation Movement
The journey of DCTAV began with a simple yet powerful idea: to bring together the tech community of DC through monthly happy hours. “Our founding members are not just innovators; they are deeply committed to the tech and innovation community,” Kevin shares. “Over several years, one of our founding members engaged in hundreds of conversations with tech and innovation founders, executives, and companies in DC & the DMV, consistently identifying the same challenges and opportunities. After years of talk, in June 2022, twelve executives at our roundtable decided to take action and started a monthly happy hour. From this humble beginning, we have become an organization that promotes and champions the tech and innovation space in DC & the region.”
DCTAV aims to create a platform that elevates the great work innovators do around the region. Their goal is to bust down silos and unite fragmented ecosystems. By avoiding duplication of efforts, they focus on elevating others’ great work to help them achieve and scale. “Our goal is to be the connective tissue across several ecosystems across the region, elevating the great work people, groups, and organizations do in the innovation ecosystem space,” Kevin says.
Innovation, for DCTAV, is about turning possibilities into reality. The coalition operates on a principle of action over deliberation. “We err on the side of taking action. We pilot, test, and implement quickly. Whatever works, we double down on it. Whatever doesn’t, we either iterate and improve or jettison and move on. We’re not afraid to fail; we’re afraid not to try at all,” Kevin asserts. This pragmatic approach has allowed DCTAV to remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of the tech community.
Driving Transformative Growth
DCTAV’s mission is ambitious yet clear: to make DC the best city in the world for tech innovation and startups. The coalition is dedicated to promoting DC tech and innovation companies locally, nationally, and globally. It aims to establish DC as the hub of a vibrant tech innovation and new venture community. This mission is supported by impressive metrics, with DCTAV members collectively boasting a $10 billion valuation, $1.75 billion in total capital raised, and 6,500 employees. The coalition’s success is reflected in its goals to triple the number of tech unicorns, quadruple the amount of capital raised, and quintuple the number of successful exits.
Fostering a Supportive Environment
One of the critical tipping points for DCTAV was a shift in leadership style that emphasized empowering individuals. Kevin reflects on this personal and organizational transformation: “A personal tipping point came when I realized I needed help and got out of my own way. This shift made me focus less on hyper-controlling outcomes and more on allowing great people to do great things. As a leader, I focused my role on removing barriers and roadblocks preventing them from being the capable people they are.” To be sure, DCTAV is – and always will be – a collective effort. Without the support and contributions of people like Steven Simoni, Ashtan Moore, Michell Urben, Katie McKenzie, Naviya Kothari, Kevin Lee, Austin Sandler, Brendan Whitaker, Dan Kwon, Ann Marie Guzzi, Alitha Doh, Joseph Nicynski, Steve Ryan, Alex Wirth, Borzou Azabdaftari, Lisa Throckmorton, Killian Lennon, Jeighdeane King, Erica Klinger, Day Martin, Benjamin Ross, Matt Caywood, Areo Nazari, Stefan Nagey, Kimberly Moore, Venture X (Adams Morgan), Chelsea Kirkland, DC Public Library, and countless others, DCTAV would not be what it is today.
The collective tipping point for DCTAV came when they stopped holding strategy and planning meetings about what they wanted to do. Instead, they required meetings only after receiving feedback from pilot projects or tested ideas. This shift allowed them to act on real data and focus on what truly worked.
A Darwinian Approach to Innovation
DCTAV’s approach to innovation is almost Darwinian in its execution. The coalition tests and tries new ideas, adopting those that add a competitive advantage and discarding those that do not. “We don’t have to predict the future or identify the right or wrong innovations. Instead, we have a process and framework in place that allows us to test and innovate,” Kevin asserts.
The future for DCTAV isn’t set in stone, and there is no clear destination. However, they have developed methods for testing new ideas to find solutions that work. “Our approach to innovation is almost Darwinian – we test and try things, and new ideas that add competitive advantage are the ones that get incorporated. The ones that don’t die off are the ones that we focus on and continue with,” Kevin states. This methodical yet flexible approach ensures DCTAV remains at the forefront of tech innovation.
Nurturing Talent and Building Networks
One of the key pillars of DCTAV’s strategy is to support businesses in the local talent pipeline. By building executive community networks and helping companies close new deals, DCTAV ensures that the tech industry in DC continues to thrive. “We help members raise capital and invest in new projects. We also support businesses in the local talent pipeline, build executive community networks, and close new deals,” Kevin explains.
A Brighter Tomorrow
Kevin’s message to the tech community is simple yet powerful: “Stop talking, start doing!” This mantra encapsulates the spirit of DCTAV – a coalition that is not just about ideas but about making those ideas a reality. With a relentless focus on action, collaboration, and innovation, DCTAV is set to transform Washington, D.C., into a leading technology and innovation capital.
