Women Business Collaborative: Resources for women in business
Women in business need allies and advocacy. One place to find that is the Women Business Collaborative, an organization dedicated to achieving progress for women in business. WBC is an alliance of more than 70 women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders, building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business, through collaboration, advocacy, action and accountability.
“Learn, connect, network and collaborate” is one of WBC’s mottos. The organization hosts monthly events that bring members together to learn from and inspire each other. There’s also an annual WBC summit that features high-level panels and recognizes trailblazers in gender equity and diversity. The 2022 honorees included actor/activist Geena Davis; Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts; PBS anchor Judy Woodruff; and Sharon Bowen, chair of the New York Stock Exchange and a partner in Seneca Women.
WBC puts its focus on nine “action initiatives” which range from Women in Technology to Women in the Pipeline to Women Entrepreneurs and Access to Capital. When it comes to access to capital, WBC seeks: a 20% increase in women-owned businesses generating $5 million or more by 2025; that the average revenues for minority women-owned firms grow by 25% by 2025; and that the percentage of venture capital available to women founders doubles by 2025 from 2.3% in 2018.
In recognition of National Women’s Small Business Month, in October, the WBC is highlighting some of its partners, including nonprofits, accelerators, and education groups, that help advance women-owned businesses. They are:
Astia: Nonprofit for women entrepreneurs providing access to capital and networks for the companies they lead.
Committee of 200 (C200): A group of corporate and entrepreneurial business women that encourages the sharing of members’ expertise, experience, and networks.
Ellevate Network: The largest community of women at work which mobilizes its collective power to change the culture of business.
Enterprising Women: A print and digital magazine that educates and inspires women to grow their businesses.
Founders First Capital Partners: Provides revenue-based funding and advisory services to service-based small businesses, with an emphasis on underrepresented founders.
Golden Seeds: Invests in women-led companies and welcomes women to attend Information Sessions or Office Hours.
The Lodis Forum: An organization for female board chairs, vice-chairs, and lead directors that provides governance insights, education, and a peer environment.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): Represents the interests of all women entrepreneurs; a one-stop resource for women business owners.
National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT): Works to increase the participation of girls and women in computing.
Paradigm for Parity: A coalition of business leaders dedicated to closing the gender gap with racial equity.
Springboard Enterprises: A not-for-profit that supports female founders through access to essential resources, a global community of experts and proprietary programming including accelerators.
Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.): Its vision is to help members gain understanding of how to access capital, information and resources.
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP): A nonpartisan organization on the Hill for women in business, providing advocacy, community, connections, and education.
Women Presidents Organization: A collective of women business leaders who share insights and drive game–changing experiences.
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): A non-profit that provides the certification standard for women-owned businesses and offers tools to help women succeed.
