March 30, 2011

Over the past 14 years, the number of women-owned businesses has grown at a rate that exceeds the national average—one and a half times the national average to be exact. The release of the latest business statistics in December 2010 by the U.S. Census Bureau allows for an updated analysis of trends. This new investigation reveals a slowdown in this growth of the number of women-owned businesses as well as a lag in employment and revenue growth—but not where you might think. New statistics on firm size, sales, revenue and employment trends can help inform future business planning, public policy development and entrepreneurial support activities. The State of Women-Owned Businesses Report also highlights some of the issues preventing women-owned businesses from reaching their full potential. 

Want to learn more? Read the full report: The American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. 

In this report you will find:

• A summary of the state of women-owned businesses today.

• Detailed national, state and industry trends.

• Greater insights about growth: positive overall, but not all the way along the growth continuum.

• A new way of looking at trends, which can help increase your understanding of the entrepreneurial marathon.

Join the conversation ( 5 )

• Mary Jesse 5 months ago

  

  Thank you for providing data on this topic. As a female technology entrepreneur, I can attest to the fact that funding is scarce even for the best ideas and technology. I don't believe this is unique to women in today's economy, nor are some of the findings in your report like slowed growth as the company size grows. However, I do believe women have challenges men don't in the business world. If VCs are "pattern matchers" for new deal qualification, then instantly women are handicapped. Mary Jesse, CEO, Ivycorp, www.ivytalk.com

• Kathleen Reitinger 8 months ago

  

  Women still have trouble finding funding, Men still make "locker room deals" and women cannot. Women start more businesses than men on a shoestring budget. If they work another job before launching their business, they still earn much less than a man doing the same job.

• Kathleen Reitinger 8 months ago

  

  Women still are not able to find funding, have trouble networking and cannot make the "locker room deals" that the men can make. More women start businesses on a shoestring than men.

• Ileana Reyes 10 months ago

  

  Dear Sirs,
  This report is exactly what we have been looking for. We are a Regional Partner, in Florida, of WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council). We certify women owned businesses in the State of Florida. We wanted to ask permission to place your report as a resource on our website for sponsors to see, at www.womensbusiness.info. This information is so valuable. Please advise if this possible.
  
  Thank you in advance,
  Ileana Reyes

• Pemo Theodore 10 months ago

  

  Thanks for highlighting this issue & also publishing this report! I have been video interviewing venture capitalists & angel investors on the shortfall in funding for women. The statistics for women achieving funding are very low: 3 to 5% get venture funded, less than 10% even if you expand that to include the entire team & any of the co founders. Around 16% women achieve Angel Capital. Data shows that the percentage of dollars going into women led companies have actually declined by about 30% over the last 10 years. Source Illuminate Ventures. This may also be one of the reasons that we are not seeing the revenue growth with women led businesses is that they have not had access to funding in the past. I aim to raise awareness of this issue so that the playing field is level & women will feel more confident about shooting for scalable businesses that are venture backed. You can check out my interviews @ ezebis.com Let's focus on #changetheratio Thanks Pemo Theodore