Policy Areas: Women & Entrepreneurship

One need only take a look at the Dow Jones list of “who’s who” CEO’s to find it contains fewer names like Bill Gates and predominately ones more similar to Indra K. Nooyi or Oprah Winfrey. Women have had an ever-increasing role in defining the American entrepreneurial spirit over the last three decades – jumping from 700,000 woman-owned businesses in 1976 to roughly 10 million today. And with women becoming an increasingly larger percentage of the population, that increase continues with women starting businesses at two times the rate of men. But while shifting demographics are changing the face of entrepreneurship, unique roadblocks – such as access to government contracts – continue to make long-term growth more difficult for women business owners. 

Issues include:

• Venture Capital Access

• Government Contract Access

• Science/Engineering Education

• Work-Life Balance

• Women’s Business Centers

• Microloans

• Set-Asides

• Pay Equity

• Fair Labor Standards Act

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CRS Issue Brief for Congress

• Disadvantaged Businesses: A Review of Federal Assistance?
  by Michael K. Fauntroy, Congressional Research Service

• Compensatory Time vs. Cash Wages: Amending the Fair Labor Standards Act?
  by William G. Whittaker, Congressional Research Service

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Articles & Reports

• Businesses Owned by Women of Color in the United States, 2004 

• Fostering High-Growth Women's Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Silicon Valley

:: View all articles ::

Useful Resources

• Center for Women's Business Research

• National Women's Business Council Research

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POLICY AREAS

E-Commerce

Entrepreneurship Education

Financing

Intellectual Property

Minorities

Regulatory Burdens

Stock Options

Tax System

Technology Transfer

Women

Worker Benefits

Workforce Training