You might not know that typically only 3% of Americans can invest in startups. DC and 18 other states are changing that by allowing all residents to invest in new businesses and independent entrepreneurs. Here in the District, this model of fundraising, called “equity-based crowdfunding,” has been law since October 2014. Equity-based crowdfunding makes investing in startups accessible to all District residents for as little as hundreds of dollars. Bluebird Bakery, an artisanal bakery…

It is one of the first food destinations of its type, where customers have a chance to provide direct feedback to chefs debuting new ventures.

This post is brought to you by Prequel. The best two ways to beat DC’s extraordinary heat and humidity are a cold drink and a cool bar. Brick & Mortar, a new basement bar tucked inside Prequel at 918 F Street in Penn Quarter, offers a wide array of handcrafted cocktails, a mix of familiar flavors and new, in a relaxing and atmospheric environment. Brick & Mortar stands out in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area as…