Female entrepreneurs around the world are igniting innovation and driving economic growth at an unprecedented rate. According to a recent research, female founders now make up 252 million of the world's 582 million entrepreneurs.
In the United States alone, women start an average of 1,817 new businesses per day. Moreover, research shows that women owners deliver higher revenue—more than twice as much per dollar invested.
From tech startups in Silicon Valley to artisanal ventures in Africa, female entrepreneurs are breaking barriers and reshaping industries, proving that gender is no obstacle to entrepreneurial success.
In this blog we will discuss a few available resources for women entrepreneurs:
These are educational centers funded in part by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the United States. They offer training, counseling, and financial resources to help women start and grow small businesses.
WBCs facilitate networking events, meetups, and conferences where women entrepreneurs can connect with other women entrepreneurs , share experiences, and build professional relationships. Networking can also provide access to potential mentors, partners, and customers.
NAWBO is a network of women entrepreneurs and other small business owners, that provides resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
It stands out as the only dues-based organization advocating for the diverse spectrum of women entrepreneurs across every sector. With extensive influence and significance, NAWBO serves as a comprehensive hub, empowering women-run companies to advance further in economic, societal, and political arenas on a global scale.
It is a nonprofit organization that provides free mentoring and education not only for women but also for male counterparts. The organization designs mentorship program and offers a library of business resources, including templates, checklists, and guides, to help entrepreneurs with business development plans, operations, and decision-making.
Along with resources and tools created especially for women entrepreneurs, SCORE offers free and confidential business advice.
I is a nonpartisan federal advisory council that provides advice and recommendations to Congress, the SBA, and other facets of the federal government, on behalf of improving the economic outcomes of women-owned businesses.
As part of its mission to advocate for women's business ownership, the organization also hosts helpful roundtables and webinars that provide advice, and offer online courses, mentorship, and community among women business owners and supporters.
This program helps women-owned small businesses to compete for federal contracts by assisting with government contracting and procurement opportunities. It aims to level the playing field for women-owned businesses and increase their participation in the federal marketplace. It provides valuable opportunities for WOSBs to compete for and win federal contracts, thereby fostering their growth and success.
We-Fi is a World Bank initiative that provides financing opportunities and technical assistance to women-owned businesses in developing countries.
It harnesses the public and private sectors to open new doors for women entrepreneurs across the developing world. With funding of $354 million from 14 governments, this collaborative partnership among governments, multilateral development banks major corporations, and other stakeholders has been designed to unlock financing for female entrepreneurs in developing countries, including in the most challenging environments.
It supports female entrepreneurs by scaling up access to finance, markets, networks, mentors, and information to cope with business challenges. It is also assisting governments in creating enabling environments for women.
It is an International association that helps drive money into the hands of women business owners by enabling them to take local resources to compete in the global marketplace.
It is a global, membership-based nonprofit that connects women-owned businesses worldwide. It has over 5,000 members in almost 100 countries. Annual membership fees range from $5K to $35K.
Many cities and regions have local organizations and national associations that are helping women run companies through networking events among local chapter national association and trade groups, mentorship programs, and educational resources.
Such organizations play a vital role in supporting female entrepreneurs by offering free resources, facilitating access to online lenders for funding opportunities, small business loans, providing training opportunities, developing leadership skills, organizing local events, and sharing success stories to inspire and motivate women entrepreneurs.
Support for female business owners has become increasingly recognized, with various grants, funding programs, and traditional bank loans specifically tailored to their needs and challenges. There are plenty of organizations that provide financial and other resources just for women business owners.
There are various grants and funding programs specifically for women-owned businesses, such as the Amber Grant and the Cartier Women's Initiative.
Building a strong business plan, seeking mentorship, and networking within the entrepreneurial community can also enhance the chances of securing small business loan.
Many institutions offer entrepreneurship programs tailored to women, providing education, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Women's entrepreneurship development programs play a crucial role in fostering an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive, and achieve their full potential.
Many programs focus on building women's confidence and leadership skills to help them overcome gender-related barriers and succeed in entrepreneurship. These initiatives may include workshops, seminars, and mentorship programs specifically aimed at empowering women.
Obtaining certification as a women-owned business can provide access to government contracts and procurement opportunities. Organizations like the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) offer certification services.
These resources provide a good starting point for any female entrepreneur and small business owners seeking support and guidance. Some common certifications are:
This certification is issued by organizations such as WBENC, in the United States. It verifies that a setup is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by women.
This certification recognizes businesses owned by both women and minorities. It's often required for participation in government contracting and procurement programs.
While not exclusively for women-owned businesses, the DBE certification in the U.S. is available to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including many women-owned small businesses.
These certifications are specific to federal contracting in the United States and are administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). They provide opportunities for women-owned businesses to compete for set-aside contracts in industries where women are underrepresented.
NWBOC offers certification for women-owned and controlled businesses in the United States. It verifies that a setup is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women.
WE Connect International certifies women-owned businesses globally. It provides access to a network of corporate members committed to supplier diversity and inclusion.
In Canada, various provinces, local chapters, and organizations offer certification programs for women-owned and minority-owned businesses there, often similar to those in the United States but tailored to the Canadian context.
Some local or regional certification bodies may offer their certification programs for women-owned businesses, using variations of this title.
Traditional banks often deny loans to small business owners due to high risk. Getting an SBA-guaranteed loan reduces that risk and makes getting funded easier.
The nonprofit organization Moms As Entrepreneurs (MAE), if you couldn’t already tell from its name, has a clear mission to support the “mom entrepreneur community” by providing training and financial education. MAE hosts various classes and events, and it works to connect mom entrepreneurs with access to funding.
The organization focuses on supporting and empowering mothers who are entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs. While specific missions may vary, the overarching goal is often to provide resources, mentorship, and community for mothers navigating the challenges of balancing motherhood with building and growing a business.
Female entrepreneurs globally are thriving, with significant contributions to innovation and economic growth. In the US, they launch nearly 1,817 businesses daily, demonstrating strong entrepreneurial drive.
Many resources and certification programs, funding opportunities and national trade groups like MAE provide crucial support to mothers in entrepreneurship.
Various national resources, different organizations, and widely available online resources collectively create an environment where women succeed in establishing their businesses and make impactful contribution.
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