6 Organizations Helping Women Entrepreneurs Succeed
Entrepreneurship is critical to well-functioning economic and cultural life, but it remains a field in which too few women are allowed to flourish. Happily, there are many groups working to dismantle the sexist barriers that make this area of business so exclusionary. The ones included here operate around the globe, helping women from all walks of life start, grow, and hone their enterprises. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Groups Supporting Entrepreneurial Women
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs | Energize, educate, mentor, and connect women entrepreneurs to be wildly successful, promoting strengthened economies and thriving communities |
| Global Invest Her | Demystify the funding process so women entrepreneurs become investor-ready and get funded faster |
| Alberta Women Entrepreneurs | Provide tools and resources to help women across the province succeed in starting or growing a business |
| Sustainable Preservation Initiative | Empower disadvantaged entrepreneurs and artisans - the majority of whom are women - living in poverty around the world |
| IFundWomen | Equip women with the confidence, knowledge, and funding they need to bring their visions to life |
| SoulPowered | Build not just individual indestructible leaders, but an indestructible network of women who can lead in more powerful and sustainable ways, through education, experiences, resources, and an unparalleled network of leaders |
The Impact of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs
Percentage of Women in the Workforce
The percentage of men and women in the civilian labor force over time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor
| Year | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.6% | 70.4% |
| 1960 | 33.4% | 66.6% |
| 1970 | 38.1% | 61.9% |
| 1980 | 42.5% | 57.5% |
| 1990 | 45.2% | 54.8% |
| 2000 | 46.5% | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 46.7% | 53.3% |
The Sustainable Preservation Initiative in Action
In Depth
Starting and running a business can be daunting, and female entrepreneurs in particular often face unique challenges. Fortunately, there are several organizations dedicated to providing them with mentorship, tips, and guidance toward the growth of their enterprise. Here, in no particular order, are groups offering expertise designed to help women's businesses thrive.
Starting off the list at #1 is The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, a Vancouver based charity that educates, mentors, and connects women for success. The Pitch for the Purse program addresses access to capital for business owners. The agenda is divided into sales presentations, semifinals, mentorship, and the finale.
Its signature program, E-Series, is a three day intensive where recognized business leaders address all aspects of development. Held in a small classroom setting, topics include sales, marketing, branding, and financing. You can support the mission via monetary contributions or by becoming a sponsor.
You can support the mission via monetary contributions or by becoming a sponsor.
In the #2 spot is Global Invest Her, which is dedicated to funding women entrepreneurs. It offers such resources as webinars, and curated books and articles. There are also courses that cover such topics as pitching to male investors, and how to get grants. The classes feature worksheets, quizzes, and discussion groups.
The InvestHer Podcast offers tips and tactics to help entrepreneurs learn how to demystify funding. Founder and CEO, Anne Ravanona, conducts conversations with global investors and ecosystem players, including K. Shelly Porges, co-founder and managing partner of The Billion Dollar Fund for Women, and Siri Chilazi, a research fellow at the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School.
At #3 is Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, which is dedicated to enabling women to build successful businesses. Its programs and services provide financing, mentoring, and network development. The Digitally Solid series offers strategies for how to use technology to build business including email campaigns, targeted advertising, and website optimization.
Its programs and services provide financing, mentoring, and network development.
PeerSpark is a business accelerator program that combines practical, multi disciplinary curriculum with support and learning from fellow participants. It offers expert coaching for women entrepreneurs who are focused on growing their ventures. The organization also provides advising services, offering the opportunity to delve into marketing, mindset management, and delivery models.
Entering the list at #4 is Sustainable Preservation Initiative, which works to empower disadvantaged female entrepreneurs and artisans around the world. Through ESCALA, its Business School and Capacity Training Program, it provides poor communities with the tools to establish, build, manage, and sustain locally owned businesses in Peru. It trains participants in such skills as the identification of potential markets, sales, procurement, accounting, and management.
The organization's global partners include the Milken Institute, INCAE Business School, and The American Center of Oriental Research. It has received media coverage from Newsweek, National Geographic, and Wall Street Journal. To help support the cause, you can make a one time or monthly contribution.
To help support the cause, you can make a one time or monthly contribution.
Coming in at #5 is IFundWomen, a startup platform that provides entrepreneurs with access to capital through grants, as well as expert coaching via a network of women business owners. Its virtual workshops cover such topics as how to develop online courses, marketing, and sales.
Its initiative, IFundWomen of Color, in partnership with Caress, helps diverse entrepreneurs by raising capital through crowdfunding, coaching, and connections. The program also provides networking and promotional opportunities for participants. Among the corporations the organization has strategic partnerships with include, Adidas, Visa, and HeyMama.
Wrapping up the list at #6 is SoulPowered, which provides leadership training for women entrepreneurs. The ACCELERATE Intensive is a customized program that focuses on such themes as creating business structures, sales, and networking. Co-founder, Sarah Kaler, offers guidance on action plans, resources and recommendations, with follow up phone consultations and email access available after the sessions.
The ACCELERATE Intensive is a customized program that focuses on such themes as creating business structures, sales, and networking.
The executive leadership coaching initiative provides personalized and in depth leadership development opportunities. It offers individual, team, and group focused training for all levels of a company, from a first time manager to a C-suite leader. The organization has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider.
