DC Announces FY26 'Global Soft Landing' program to attract international startups

The District of Columbia published a page on DC.gov announcing the FY26 Washington, DC Global Soft Landing program, a fiscal-year 2026 initiative intended to support companies and founders looking to establish a presence in the city. The notice appears on the official District website and is listed among the government’s FY26 economic-development efforts.

The DC.gov announcement frames the program as a municipal effort to make it easier for internationally based startups and entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in the District. Details on the public page describe the program under the FY26 banner, signaling that the city government is prioritizing inbound private-sector growth for the coming budget year.

Officials on the page encourage interested parties to consult the DC.gov posting for application windows, eligibility criteria and participation guidelines. The announcement serves as an official point of contact for companies and intermediaries assessing Washington, DC as a potential U.S. headquarters or regional hub.

How this fits into DC’s economic-development playbook

Soft-landing programs are commonly used by cities to lower the barriers for foreign startups that want to test U.S. markets. The District’s FY26 listing places the City alongside other metro areas that use targeted outreach, matchmaking and short-term operational support to attract talent, investment and company headquarters.

By publishing the program on DC.gov, the District is signaling a coordinated, government-backed approach to bringing internationally based firms and founders into the local ecosystem. The announcement does not provide exhaustive program terms on the landing page; prospective applicants are directed to the official posting for next steps and contact information.

Who should pay attention

Founders, international startups, investors, accelerators and trade organizations with an interest in U.S. market entry should note the District’s FY26 initiative. For local stakeholders—including incubators, investors and neighborhood business groups—the program could expand the pipeline of startups seeking partnerships, office space and talent in DC.

The District’s posting is also relevant to policy and economic-development watchers who track how cities compete for global firms and talent. Observers will be looking for the program’s specific incentives, timelines and any partnerships with local universities or private-sector intermediaries.

What to watch next: monitor the DC.gov page for application dates, eligibility rules and named partner organizations; those details will determine whether the program changes recruitment dynamics for the District’s startup ecosystem.