The 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses—an inaugural report—chronicles the impact of COVID-19 on US businesses and how it opened opportunities for women. It highlights the growth of women-owned businesses from 2019 to 2023, especially those owned by women of color, and explores the intersection of gender with race, business size, industry, and geography.

Products to help new mothers through the fourth trimester of pregnancy—the 12 weeks after the birth—are part of the femtech revolution. Female founders who understand from first-hand experience are developing these products.

Improvements to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will increase the likelihood of women entrepreneurs-especially those of color-surviving the coronavirus pandemic. However, to truly succeed women need greater access to loans through CDFIs and other forms of financing.

When you are ready to grow your business, don’t just look for deep pockets. Look for venture capital investors who are aligned with your values. They need to share your investment and exit strategy.

As research shows the benefits of psychedelics, entrepreneurs are building the foundations for them to become generally available and accepted.

If approved, the Main Street Recovery Co-Investment Fund can get meritorious small businesses and high-growth companies the debt and equity investments they need to recover and grow. It’s a model that’s been proven effective.  Photo credit: Jordan Conner via Unsplash

When top talent is in high demand, startups need to build their networks and showcase how their service will solve a major pain point for their target market.

Without good childcare, women can’t fully participate in the workforce, including entrepreneurship. The US needs to have a comprehensive strategy that addresses the affordability of childcare and the wages of the people who care for our most precious resource-young children. Attribution: Element5 Digital via Unsplash

Black communities have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic with Black-owned business experiencing the highest closure rate of all groups. Especially vulnerable are Black-women-owned businesses. Grants could provide the financing they need to survive the crisis. Photo Credit: Christine at WOC in TechChat via unsplash

If business-as-usual blocks your startup’s growth, change the rules. Innovation keeps the economy-and your startup-growing.