AÂ report by the Center for Women’s Business Research found that Hispanic and African American women are the fastest growing entrepreneurial groups in the U.S, rising at rates of 133.3% and 191.4%, respectively, from 1997 to 2007. To promote the economic and entrepreneurial progress of women, BlackEnterprise.com lists five resources that provide varying services to female-led businesses.
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Explore these tools for women entrepreneurs, and get more valuable insight at the Entrepreneurs Summit in Atlanta May 13-16.
Walker’s Legacy launched in 2009 as a quarterly women in business
lecture series to inspire women to fulfill their professional passion and purpose. The founder, Natalie Madeira, created the collective after she found herself in need of woman mentors as she pursued her first entrepreneurial endeavor. Named after Madam C.J. Walker, Walker’s Legacy promotes the career advancement, skill sets and networks of women in business and women entrepreneurs through mentorships, summit series and other programs.Glassbreakers is an app for women professionals looking to expand their network. Similar to Tinder, users preview other businesswomen’s profiles and “connect” or “not now” based on LinkedIn data and user input. “Glassbreakers” can also access enlightening reads by other professional women.
Women’s Business Development Center
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is a unique non-profit that fuels the economy through entrepreneurship. As the oldest, largest and most comprehensive women’s business assistance center in the United States, WBDC has programs in place to help women along every step of the business development and growth process. Some of the many initiatives available are the Access to Capital Program, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the Early Childhood Education Entrepreneurship Program.
Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc’s 10,000 Women campaign and
World Bank Group partnered to increase access to capital for women entrepreneurs. The partnership program, Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility, makes the first ever global finance facility for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The fund will raise up to $600 million through investments from additional public and private co-investors, encouraging banks in local markets to lend to women owned SMEs.Springboard is a network of innovators, investors and influencers who are building “high-growth technology-oriented companies led by women.” 562 companies have benefited from Springboard’s accelerator programs, raising $6.6 billion, creating tens of thousands of new jobs, and
generating billion-dollar annual revenues. Through their multiple platforms, Springboard sources, coaches, showcases and supports women-led growth companies in search of financial and human capital for product development and expansion.The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit hosted by Nationwide is set for May 13—16, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Expect innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, and an early peek at the products, trends, and services you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. To register and find out more, visit www.blackenterprise.com/es/. Join us at the Entrepreneurs Summit, Where Innovation and Capital Meet.