Building Relationships in DC
Program Overview
Building Relationships in DC is a 6-module, small-cohort program (20-25 participants) designed exclusively for STATION DC members.
This program brings together founders, early-career investors, operators, policymakers, government, and military professionals who want to strengthen their networks, deepen influence in the nation’s capital, and develop authentic relationship-building skills that last a lifetime.
Once per week for six weeks, the cohort meets in-person for interactive 2-hour sessions featuring focused discussions, collaborative learning, and guest speakers. Speakers will include members of Congress, senior policymakers, and leading operators and investors—sharing first-hand insights on how relationships drive outcomes in Washington.
TAUGHT BY CHRIS FRALIC
Chris is a longtime venture capitalist, Board Partner at First Round Capital, and one of the best-connected relationship builders in tech. Over his two decades in venture, he has invested in and worked closely with iconic companies including Roblox, Ring, and Warby Parker, among many others. He has spent decades teaching and practicing the art of authentic relationship building — from Silicon Valley to Washington.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications close: October 31, 2025
Acceptances: Rolling, late October – November 15, 2025
Cohort finalized: December 15, 2025
Classes begin: January 12, 2026
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Build authentic, lasting relationships across startups, government, investing, and defense – connections that go deeper than exchanging business cards.
Navigate power dynamics with confidence by understanding the unspoken rules of influence in DC and beyond.
Expand your network with senior leaders – from policymakers and staffers to top operators and investors – and learn how to sustain those connections.
Develop influence skills that compound over time, helping you communicate effectively, earn trust, and open new opportunities.
Join a peer group of ambitious leaders who will challenge you, support you, and grow with you long after the program ends.
Class Schedule & Topics
The Relationship Playbook
January 12, 2026 | 5:00-7:00PM
Learn why relationships are the most durable form of capital — in DC, business, and life — and the timeless rules that make influence and trust compound, illustrated with real-life examples from founders, investors, and policymakers who built their careers on them.
Your Reputation Capital
January 19, 2026 | 5:00-7:00PM
Understand how your reputation — the story people tell about you when you’re not in the room — is shaped both offline and online, and how to use LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and media strategically to reinforce trust, credibility, and influence.
Emails That Open Doors
January 27, 2026 | 5:00-7:00PM
Learn how to write clear, compelling emails that get read, get replies, and move your relationships forward.
The Power of “No”
February 2, 2026 | 5:00-7:00PM
See how both giving and receiving “no” can strengthen relationships, set healthy boundaries, and open doors to better opportunities.
Work the Room (and Yourself)
February 3, 2026 | 5:00-7:00PM
Discover how to turn conferences, meetings, and events into relationship-building engines — while also managing your calendar, priorities, and tools so you can follow through and make every connection count.
The Follow-Up Advantage
February 9, 2026 | 5:00-7:00PM
Learn how small, thoughtful gestures of outreach and gratitude transform surface connections into long-term relationships that actually last.
IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR YOU?
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
This program is designed for early-to-mid career professionals (2-8 years of experience) who want to strengthen their network and influence through authentic relationship building.
TYPICAL PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:
Startup founders building companies in frontier industries
Venture capital and early-stage investors looking to expand their networks in DC and beyond
Operators at high-growth tech or national security companies
Policymakers and staffers working on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, or local government
Military and government professionals who want to better navigate the intersection of policy, technology, and business
THE COMMON THREAD:
People who want to invest in relationships as a long-term form of capital, and who are ready to learn, practice, and contribute in a cohort setting.
WHO THIS COURSE IS NOT FOR
THIS COURSE IS NOT INTENDED FOR PEOPLE WHO:
Don’t have time to commit to six sessions and the in-between reflection or preparation work.
Are not willing to learn, share, or contribute to the experience of others in the cohort.
Will never attend in person (in-person participation is strongly encouraged and central to the program).
Only looking to “network” in a transactional way, rather than to build authentic, lasting relationships.
Expect quick hacks or shortcuts, rather than practicing skills that compound over time.
ABOUT STATION DC
STATION DC is a non-profit that connects frontier technologists, policymakers, military leaders, industry executives, and investors. STATION DC membership includes access to our 13,000-square-foot workspace in Union Market District DC, curated events, educational programming, and member perks (including hotel discounts).
ANNUAL INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP RATES
Membership pricing is set by individuals’ employer type
Washington, DC-Headquartered Tech Startups: $699
Outside of DC-HQ’d Startups, Government, Military, Non-Profits, Academia: $1,699
All Other Employers: $2,699