Women Entrepreneur Resources

Women own 14.2 million U.S. businesses, representing approximately 39.2% of all U.S. firms and generating $2.8 trillion in annual receipts, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2026). Between 2019 and 2024, revenue from women-owned businesses grew 53.8%.

Women started an average of 1,200 new businesses per day in 2023, and 25% of women plan to start a business in 2026. If you are one of them, this page is your starting point for the programs, grants, certifications, and tools that actually matter.

The SBA defines a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) as a firm that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. Those women must manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions for the business, per SBA.gov.

An Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) meets the same requirements plus additional income limits: each qualifying woman must have a personal net worth under $850,000 and adjusted gross income of $400,000 or less averaged over three years. EDWOSB certification opens access to an even smaller, less competitive pool of federal set-aside contracts.

You do not need WOSB certification to call yourself a woman-owned business. But certification through the SBA MySBA Certifications portal (free) or through a third-party certifier like WBENC is required if you want to compete for WOSB set-aside federal contracts. If you are unsure whether to choose a sole proprietorship or LLC, read our comparison first.

The federal government's goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year, according to SBA.gov. In FY 2024, $26.64 billion was awarded to WOSBs. That pool is growing, and WOSB-certified firms get exclusive bidding rights on set-aside solicitations.

Women are 32% more successful at reaching their crowdfunding goals than men, according to 2024 Census Bureau business data. If traditional venture capital is not available (and for most women founders, it is not), crowdfunding is a proven alternative worth considering.

Women entrepreneurs are 30% more likely than men to start businesses in health, education, or social services. These sectors offer strong community trust, recurring revenue, and growing demand. Women-owned firms in healthcare and social assistance already employ nearly 1.7 million people.

64% of new women-led businesses in 2023 were started by women of color, building companies with built-in diversity advantages in talent networks and market understanding. If you are a woman of color, explore our minority business resources page for additional grants and programs.

The SBA's network of 168 Women's Business Centers provides free one-on-one counseling, training, and mentoring on business development topics. WBCs generate $6 in small business revenue for every $1 of SBA support, according to data gathered by the Association of Women's Business Centers in 2026. These centers also sustain 340,000 jobs that contribute $16 billion in salaries.

The first step is choosing a business structure. Most women-owned businesses start as an LLC because it separates your personal assets from business debts and gives you flexible tax options. You can form an LLC for as little as $0 + state fees with ZenBusiness or $39 + state fees with Northwest Registered Agent. Compare your options in our best LLC formation services guide.

After formation, apply for a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) at IRS.gov. You will need this to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Keep personal and business finances completely separate from day one.

Next, visit your nearest Women's Business Center for free counseling. WBCs offer training in finance, management, marketing, and access to SBA loan programs. 64% of SCORE's clients are women, per SCORE data from 2024, so you will be in good company when you request a free SCORE mentor as well.

If you plan to pursue federal contracts, begin your WOSB certification at MySBA Certifications. The process requires registering at SAM.gov (free), gathering three years of tax returns, and submitting formation documents. The SBA typically makes a determination within 90 calendar days. There is no fee to certify directly through the SBA.

For a full list of steps when you are brand new, read our guide on how to register your business. If you are still weighing whether to go solo or build a team, our solopreneur guide breaks down the tradeoffs.

The SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) coordinates programs through SBA district offices nationwide, including business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital. The OWBO oversees 168 Women's Business Centers, the largest network in program history after a $26.25 million expansion in January 2026.

In February 2026, the WBC program received a record $27 million in federal funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, according to the Association of Women's Business Centers. This was the highest funding ever for the program and the first time it was explicitly included in legislative text.

SCORE provides free business mentoring through 11,000 volunteer mentors across 300+ chapters, per score.org. SCORE mentees who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and faster growth. SCORE has a dedicated Women Entrepreneurs Resource Hub with funding webinars, networking group directories, and government contracting guidance.

The National Women's Business Council is the federal government's only independent advisory body for women entrepreneurs. It advises the President, Congress, and the SBA on economic issues affecting women-owned businesses. You can find its research and policy recommendations at nwbc.gov.

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the largest dues-paying organization for women entrepreneurs, founded in 1975. NAWBO membership starts at $359.40/year plus a one-time $100 application fee. It offers advocacy, mentoring, masterminds, and chapters in approximately 50 states. Learn more at nawbo.org.

For grants and capital access, explore our grants for women-owned businesses page. If you are also a veteran or minority business owner, check our veteran business grants and minority business grants guides for additional programs.

Women-owned businesses receive only 7% of total venture capital deals, despite representing 39.2% of all U.S. firms. Only 8% of partners at U.S. venture capital firms are women, according to Census Bureau business data (2026). If VC is not realistic for you, explore startup funding options that include SBA loans, crowdfunding, and grants.

58% of women entrepreneurs use personal savings to start their business rather than seeking external capital. That bootstrapping instinct is common but can limit your growth. Apply for at least two to three grants per quarter and talk to your local WBC about SBA microloan programs (up to $50,000) to supplement personal funds.

48% of women cite lack of mentorship as a barrier to business growth. SCORE mentoring is free, available nationwide, and 87% of entrepreneurs with a SCORE mentor are still in business after one year, compared to 75% without a mentor, according to SBA.gov.

42% of women entrepreneurs run their businesses alone, compared to 19% of men. Solo founders typically have fewer resources, less margin for risk, and may delay hiring. If that describes you, our solopreneur vs entrepreneur comparison can help you decide whether to scale up or optimize your solo operation.

31% of women entrepreneurs face challenges related to childcare while running their business. The SBA's 2026 WBC expansion included the first-ever grants specifically for childcare enterprise support, signaling that policymakers are starting to address this gap. Check with your local WBC for childcare-focused programming.

The right tools save you time and money in your first year. Here are the ones we recommend based on price, ease of use, and relevance to women-owned businesses.

• For LLC formation, ZenBusiness starts at $0 + state fees with a Starter plan that includes a name search, filing, and compliance alerts. The Pro plan ($199/year) adds rush 1-day processing, an operating agreement template, and an EIN. If you prefer a privacy-first, no-upsell experience, Northwest Registered Agent charges $39 + state fees and includes a free year of registered agent service. Compare both in our best LLC services guide.
• For accounting, QuickBooks remains the standard for small business bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax preparation. Plans start at $35/month. See more options in our accounting software comparison.
• For mentoring (free), SCORE connects you with one of 11,000 volunteer business mentors at no cost. You can meet in person or via video, and return as often as you need for the life of your business.
• For grants and crowdfunding, IFundWomen operates a universal grant application database that matches you with corporate-sponsored grants from partners like Visa and Neutrogena. Free to apply.
• For legal services, review our best legal services for small business page. A business attorney can help with contracts, intellectual property, and compliance. Consult a CPA for tax structure decisions (LLC vs. S-corp election).
• For networking and advocacy, NAWBO membership ($359.40/year) gives you access to local chapters, mastermind groups, legislative advocacy, and corporate partner discounts.

You do not need a finished business plan or a perfect idea to take your first steps. These are concrete actions you can complete in the next seven days.

1. Request a free SCORE mentor. Go to score.org/find-mentor, enter your ZIP code, and you will be matched with a volunteer business expert within days.
2. Apply for the Amber Grant. Visit ambergrantsforwomen.com and submit your application ($15 fee). Three winners receive $10,000 every month, and monthly winners are eligible for a $50,000 annual prize.
3. Locate your nearest Women's Business Center. Use the SBA WBC locator to find free in-person counseling, training, and loan packaging support.
4. Download the free StartupOwl business plan template. Use our free business plan template to sketch out your idea in one page before committing any money.
5. Register at SAM.gov. Registration is free and is required for WOSB certification and bidding on federal contracts. Start at sam.gov. The registration process takes 3 to 5 business days on average.

If you want a broader roadmap for your first year, read our guide on how to become an entrepreneur. Watch out for common first-time founder mistakes that cost women entrepreneurs time and money. And if burnout is already on your radar, our entrepreneur burnout guide has evidence-based strategies for managing it.