What Capital Business Development Association does

Capital Business Development Association (CBDA) is a Virginia-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in June 2018 by Dr. Charles Painter that serves government contracting (GOVCON) businesses through structured networking and business development programming. Headquartered in Reston, VA, with its primary in-person venue at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA, the organization operates bimonthly dinner events, Zoom-based virtual "happy hour" sessions, a weekly Needs & Leads member marketplace digest, an annual golf tournament, casual GovCon Lounge cocktail events, and on-demand educational webinars on federal contracting topics. CBDA claims 2,900+ members spanning large systems integrators, mid-cap corporations, and small businesses across all socio-economic categories (8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone), working across the Intelligence Community, DoD, Federal Civilian, and state and local markets.

CBDA's underlying technology is minimal: the organization does not operate a proprietary platform and relies on Zoom for virtual events, a WordPress-based website, email newsletters, and LinkedIn (including a members-only LinkedIn group) for distribution. Its product surface has expanded into adjacent areas such as a cybersecurity scholarship program delivered with Fusion Cyber, Cisco, and Denmark Tech, and webinar content co-produced with CohnReznick. The association is led by founder/President Dr. Charles Painter, Acting President/Executive Board Director Arthur "Tony" Abrams, Vice President BG Tom Verbeck (USAF Ret), Treasurer Bruce Schomaker, Secretary Benjamin Ranieri, and Director Jeff Shapiro (Partner, CohnReznick).

CBDA's business model is community-led and donation-supported: membership is free with no dues, members only pay for meals at events, and revenue is generated from in-person event fees ($99 early bird / $109 at the door for dinners; $250–$325 per golfer), corporate event sponsorships, and tax-deductible donations across tiers from $50 (Community Supporter) to $1,000 (CBDA Sustaining Champion). The association does not disclose financial figures, has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed funding rounds, operating as a community-first nonprofit governed by its board of directors.

Name

Capital Business Development Association

Legal name

Capital Business Development Association

Website

https://capitalbusinessdevelopmentassociation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Capital Business Development Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 that serves government contracting businesses through free bimonthly networking dinners, virtual events, webinars, and a weekly Needs & Leads marketplace connecting 2,900+ GOVCON professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association & Networking Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA)

Keywords

• Government contracting networking
• GOVCON business development
• Capture management association
• Federal contracting events
• Small business partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Reston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting CBDA's mission. Donation tiers range from $50 (Community Supporter) to $1,000 (CBDA Sustaining Champion). Donations support affordable events, resources for small businesses, veterans, entrepreneurs, and CBDA operations.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from in-person dinner events ($99 early bird, $109 at door), golf tournaments ($250-$325 per golfer), and special fundraising events ($60 for certain events). These fees support event logistics and CBDA operations.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events, including the annual golf tournament and dinner events. Sponsors receive visibility with the CBDA's engaged audience of GOVCON professionals, small business owners, and industry leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Capital Business Development Association (CBDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that hosts bimonthly in-person networking dinners, Zoom-based virtual networking sessions, and a weekly Needs & Leads digest to help government contracting (GOVCON) businesses identify teaming partners, share opportunities, and access industry intelligence at no cost to members. Additional offerings include educational webinars, an annual golf tournament, casual GovCon Lounge events, and a cybersecurity scholarship program delivered with industry partners.

Product overview

Capital Business Development Association (CBDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit networking organization, not a software product company. Its offering consists of a suite of professional networking and business development services for the GOVCON (government contracting) community. The core services include: bimonthly in-person networking dinners at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA; Zoom-based virtual networking events; the Needs & Leads Program (a member-exclusive weekly digest of business opportunities); CBDA GovCon Lounge casual cocktail events; annual golf tournaments; educational webinars; and a cybersecurity scholarship program. These services collectively support GOVCON small and medium businesses in identifying, winning, and executing federal, state, and local market opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CBDA In-Person Networking Dinners Bimonthly in-person dinner and networking events held at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA, bringing together GOVCON business development professionals for relationship building and opportunity sharing.
• CBDA Virtual Networking Events Zoom-based virtual 'happy hour' networking sessions enabling GOVCON professionals to connect, explore teaming opportunities, and share business intelligence online.
• CBDA Needs & Leads Program Member-exclusive weekly digest distributed each Monday morning containing business opportunities, teaming partner requests, and leads submitted by CBDA members to facilitate strategic partnerships.
• CBDA GovCon Lounge Events Casual cocktail networking events held at venues like Jackson's in Reston Town Center, providing informal settings for GOVCON professionals to build relationships without registration fees.
• CBDA Golf Tournaments Annual golf tournament fundraising events at the Army Navy Country Club that combine networking with fundraising for CBDA programs and scholarships.
• CBDA Webinar Series On-demand educational webinars covering GOVCON topics including bid protest strategies, proposal evaluation scores, strategic pricing, and commercial versus federal business interests, provided in partnership with CohnReznick.
• CBDA Cybersecurity Scholarship Program Scholarship program partnering with Fusion Cyber, Cisco, and HBCUs to provide 24-week online/hybrid cybersecurity boot camps integrated into degree programs, preparing students for RMF, CMMC, and SOC certifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Grown from 5 initial members in June 2018 to over 2,900 members
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CohnReznickcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCohnReznick is a professional services firm and CBDA partner providing on-demand webinars for GOVCON professionals. Topics include Bid Protest strategies, Proposal Evaluation Scores, Strategic Pricing for proposals, and Commercial vs Federal Business Interests. Jeff Shapiro, a partner at CohnReznick, serves on the CBDA Board of Directors.
• Fusion CybercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFusion Cyber partners with CBDA, Cisco, and Denmark Tech on cybersecurity scholarship programs. The partnership supports diversity in cybersecurity by offering bootcamps at HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions, preparing students for careers in Cyber Defense including CMMC and SOC roles.
• CiscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCisco collaborates with CBDA and Fusion Cyber on cybersecurity scholarship programs, providing support for bootcamps and training initiatives at educational institutions for under-represented communities and veterans.
• Denmark TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenmark Tech is an HBCU partner in CBDA's cybersecurity scholarship program. CBDA awarded 50 cybersecurity program scholarships to Denmark Tech students. The partnership aims to diversify cybersecurity careers.
• SCOREminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCherylyn Harley LeBon, CBDA member, serves as a national board member of SCORE, which supports small businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.
• AOC Capitol ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCBDA expresses interest in working with AOC Capitol Club, IEEE, AFCEA, and other adjacent associations/groups in the GOVCON ecosystem.
• Army Navy Country ClubcoreOthersPrimary venue for CBDA's bimonthly in-person dinner meetings since June 2018. Located at 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. Thanks to Vice President BG Tom Verbeck (USAF Ret) for securing this venue.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SCORE: SCORE is a nonprofit association providing mentoring, workshops, and educational resources to small businesses, including those seeking government contracts. CBDA already has a connection via board member Cherylyn Harley LeBon, and the two organizations serve overlapping small business and entrepreneur audiences with similar programming.
• Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP): WIPP is a nonprofit advocacy organization for women-owned and small businesses seeking federal contracting opportunities. It overlaps directly with CBDA's mission of supporting GOVCON SMBs with networking, mentoring, and procurement intelligence, though it focuses specifically on the women's business community.

Others

• GovWin from Deltek: GovWin is a leading market intelligence platform for government contractors, offering opportunity databases, teaming tools, and industry intelligence. While not a membership association, it serves the same GOVCON BD and capture management professionals with intelligence that overlaps with CBDA's Needs & Leads member marketplace.
• Chamber of Commerce (U.S. Chamber / local DMV chambers): Local and national chambers of commerce support small business development, with some providing GOVCON-focused programming and networking events. They compete indirectly with CBDA for BD professional mindshare and offer similar membership-based networking models.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) / procurement-focused federal programs: Federal procurement support programs and innovation hubs periodically host BD-focused events that compete for the same government contractor attention as CBDA. While not membership organizations, they serve as alternative channels for the GOVCON BD community to access teaming and intelligence.

Broad incumbents

• AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association): AFCEA is a long-established nonprofit association serving defense, intelligence, and government technology professionals through events, networking, and education. While it operates more as a broad industry association with significant defense tech focus, it competes for the same federal contractor BD community that CBDA targets, particularly through DC-area chapter events.
• National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA): NDIA is a major trade association supporting the defense industrial base through conferences, networking, and policy advocacy. It serves a similar audience of government contractors and BD professionals and is a recognized incumbent in the federal contracting networking space, particularly in the National Capital Region.
• Professional Services Council (PSC): PSC represents government services contractors through advocacy, networking, and educational programming. It is a major association with a similar government contractor BD professional member base and offers comparable networking and educational content in the DC area.

Emerging players

• Veteran Owned Business (VOB) / Veteran Institute for Procurement: Veteran Institute for Procurement provides training and networking to veteran-owned small businesses entering federal contracting. It overlaps directly with CBDA's focus on SDVOSB and veteran-affiliated government contractors seeking opportunity identification and teaming support.
• National 8(a) Association: National 8(a) Association is an emerging association supporting small disadvantaged businesses pursuing the SBA's 8(a) program and federal contracting opportunities. It shares CBDA's target audience of socio-economically categorized GOVCON SMBs and offers similar networking and education programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Capital Business Development Association