Bethesda Green

Working together towards a more sustainable future

Incubator / AcceleratorSuburban Maryland

About Bethesda Green

What it is

Bethesda Green is a sustainability organization in Bethesda, Maryland that works with entrepreneurs, businesses, community leaders and residents on local environmental goals. Its work spans business development, environmental education, community projects and government partnership. For founders, the relevant arm is Be Green Business, which houses the Innovation Center, B Corp advising and the Montgomery County Green Business Certification. The organization is located at 4825 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200, on the second floor of a Capital One Bank branch.

What it offers founders

The Innovation Center supports for-profit businesses with sustainable solutions. Its main program is a year-round Incubator that includes:

Group mentorship pairing each company with two to three mentors from the network.
Quarterly pitch practice and invitations to an annual pitch event.
An online curriculum of readings, assessments, templates and guides.
Use of the downtown office for a mailing address, meeting space and coworking, with closed-door offices available for a fee.
Pro bono or discounted legal, accounting and marketing services, and possible access to grants and investment from partners.
Monthly Entrepreneur Roundtables and bi-monthly Speaker Workshops.

The center also hosts an annual Entrepreneur Showcase at KID Museum and a Summer Speaker Series. Its Accelerator is listed as on hold.

Who it is for

The Incubator expects at least one dedicated founder, a business that prioritizes environmental sustainability and social impact, and headquarters in DC, Maryland or Northern Virginia. International companies are not currently accepted. Focus areas are Environment (ClimateTech, BlueTech, Natural Resources, Circular Economy, Sustainable Fashion) and Sustainable Food Cycle (AgTech, Food and Beverage, Packaging, Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail). Programming is hybrid with an emphasis on in-person attendance.

How to apply and membership pricing

Incubator applications are rolling and submitted through an F6S form linked on the Incubator page, which also links an application overview and the question list. Incubator fees are not published, so ask Incubator@bethesdagreen.org. The Impact Coworking Space lists monthly memberships with a three-month minimum: Virtual Office $40, Lite $100, Part-time $150, Open Desk $225, Dedicated Desk $275, and private offices from $1,000 to $1,600. Day passes are $25. Businesses that want recognition for greener operations can start a preliminary application for the Green Business Certification, run with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

Bethesda Green combines an incubator built around climate, environmental and sustainable food ventures with monthly desk and office memberships in downtown Bethesda, so a Montgomery County founder can get mentorship, an address and a community in one place. The Innovation Center won a Small Business Administration Growth Accelerator Fund Competition award, one of two Maryland winners, with funds aimed at helping women entrepreneurs prepare SBIR and STTR proposals.

Programs

Innovation Center Incubator
Year-round, rolling-admission incubator for DMV-headquartered sustainability startups offering group mentorship, quarterly pitch practice, an online curriculum, office access and discounted professional services.
Impact Coworking Space
Coworking in downtown Bethesda for sustainability and social impact businesses, with memberships from a $40 virtual office to $1,000 to $1,600 private offices and $25 day passes.
Montgomery County Green Business Certification
Voluntary, points-based certification with four tiers for businesses reducing their environmental impact, delivered with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection; annual fees scale with employee count.
B Corp Consulting
Advising for local businesses on B Corp certification, governance, worker support and sustainability practices.
Entrepreneur Showcase
Annual event held at KID Museum featuring Incubator entrepreneurs.

Who it serves

Early-stage, for-profit founders headquartered in DC, Maryland or Northern Virginia building environmental, climate or sustainable food businesses, plus local businesses seeking green certification or coworking space.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the Bethesda Green Incubator?

Ventures with at least one dedicated founder, a priority on environmental sustainability and social impact, and headquarters in DC, Maryland or Northern Virginia. Focus areas include ClimateTech, BlueTech, circular economy, AgTech and food. International companies are not currently accepted.

How do I apply?

Applications are rolling through an F6S form linked on the Incubator page. Review the application overview and questions first, and send questions to Incubator@bethesdagreen.org.

What does it cost?

Incubator fees are not published, so contact the team. Coworking memberships run from $40 a month for a virtual office to $275 for a dedicated desk, with private offices at $1,000 to $1,600 a month and $25 day passes.

Is the Accelerator running?

No. The Accelerator is listed as on hold; the Incubator is the active program.

Where is Bethesda Green located?

4825 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814, on the second floor of a Capital One Bank branch. Phone (202) 350-0642.