Business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities face unique obstacles. The Disability Owned Convening is a national, fully virtual event designed to meet these challenges head-on. Successful entrepreneurs with disabilities will help you by sharing professional strategies, tactical tips and honest experiences about the future of inclusive business. The Disability Owned Convening is fully accessible and thousands of participants have learned practical and tangible strategies for small business success with disabilities.
Mark your calendar: November 5–6, 2025 — and register free today!
Connect with a thriving small business community
Entrepreneurship can often feel solitary, but at the Convening, you’ll be surrounded by peers, advocates and industry experts who share your experiences and ambitions.
“I was extremely intimidated about starting a business with the intense health challenges I have been facing. As I listened to some of the small business owners tell their stories, the common thread among them all was an appreciation of support they had been given from NDI and other local organizations. [The speakers] were very supportive to the viewers and freely shared their experiences and contact information. They believed in themselves, and others believed in them.”
Through structured networking sessions, you’ll have a chance to:
- Meet fellow business owners who understand the challenges of entrepreneurship with a disability
- Hear firsthand from speakers who have successfully built inclusive businesses
- Engage with fellow business owners who have navigated similar challenges including accessing capital
Gain actionable knowledge and resources
Learn Strategies to Grow and Fund Your Disability-Owned Business
The Convening’s agenda is full of sessions led by successful business owners who are excited to share their experience. You’ll dive deep into critical topics such as leveraging artificial intelligence for business growth, creating effective marketing strategies and navigating the landscape of funding and support resources.
“Many of us have ideas for a small business, but most of the time they stay just ideas. We don’t always know all the things that need to be considered before starting a business, which is why many of us fail or don’t start at all. [The Convening] really focused on the important aspects and great strategies.”
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur looking to scale, or just starting to think about a business idea, Convening sessions are tailored to offer insights that you can immediately apply. The knowledge you gain can help you streamline operations, attract new customers and secure the financial backing needed to take your business to the next level.
Some topics for 2025:
- Demystifying the language of startup capital
- Using AI to power your small business
- Managing time, money and energy in business when you have a disability
Be part of a national movement
After enjoying the Convening sessions, one participant told us, “After watching the sessions I registered for, my hope was rekindled that I too can succeed as a small business person. It has always been a dream of mine. I plan to continue watching and studying those sessions as I develop my business. I am grateful to NDI for the valuable support and opportunities that have been offered, including the convening and workshops. This organization is helping me to succeed despite difficult circumstances.”
Attending the Disability Owned Convening means joining a national movement dedicated to economic empowerment for the disability community. By taking part, you are contributing to the collective advancement of disability-owned businesses. The Convening is an opportunity to stand with a community that is actively shaping a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.
A free investment in your business’s future
The Convening’s generous sponsors have prepaid all registration fees, making it accessible to all. Join on November 5 and 6, 2025 for a chance to learn from the best, network with a supportive community and gain access to essential resources. Speakers are business owners with disabilities who are ready to share their experience and help you transform your entrepreneurial path. Another participant put it best: “I enjoyed learning from the various business owners with disabilities. I felt empowered and learned how they overcame different challenges. This is vital in our community. Representation matters.”
2025 Disability Owned Convening
November 5 – 6, 2025
12:30 PM to 5 PM ET
