SBA announces 2022 Women's Business Summit

from U.S. Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON — In honor of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration will hold its 2022 Women’s Business Summit March 28-30.

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Joe Biden’s cabinet, issued the following statement Tuesday to commemorate Women’s History Month.

"As we kick off Women’s History Month 2022, themed women providing healing, promoting hope, I honor our incredible women in caregiving and health care and think of all the women entrepreneurs across sectors who have, for generations, lifted up their children, their families, and their communities with their creativity, ingenuity and commitment to the common good.

“At the SBA, we’re committed to supporting our women entrepreneurs who held our nation together throughout the pandemic and, today, are helping to drive our historic economic growth. We want to ensure women entrepreneurs can get their businesses funded and access the strong networks at the SBA so they can take advantage of market growth opportunities to build resilient businesses. This is why I have elevated the SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership to report directly to me, so I can ensure that supporting women entrepreneurs remains a priority. Through this office over the past year, we’ve invested nearly $70 million in support of our Women’s Business Center network — creating a robust, vibrant ecosystem focused on the unique strengths and needs of women entrepreneurs made up of more than 140 centers in every state in the country.  And, to support women of color, who are leading the way when it comes to small business creation, we’ve doubled the number of Women’s Business Centers at HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions.

“The path of entrepreneurship has opened doors and provided opportunity and financial independence for strong, visionary women throughout American history.  President (Joe) Biden, Vice President (Kamala) Harris and I believe in investing in women entrepreneurs not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because time and again that investment has paid off for America. In honor of all the pioneering women entrepreneurs upon whose shoulders we stand, we will continue fighting to ensure every woman entrepreneur can have the opportunity to blaze their own paths and achieve the dream of business ownership."

The summit March 28-30 will consist of virtual panels, “Ask an Expert” workshops, and fireside chats to help women-owned small businesses build, scale, and grow. In-person salon/listening sessions will also be held by local and regional hosts. The event will be held in co-sponsorship with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center.

Additional speakers and schedule details will be announced at a later date.

WHAT: SBA 2022 Women’s Business Summit

WHEN: March 28-30, 2022

WHO: Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

Natalie Madeira Cofield, Assistant Administrator, Office of Women’s Business Ownership, U.S. Small Business Administration

TBD, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center

Other speakers and notable business leaders TBA

WHY: In honor of Women's History Month, SBA is hosting its 2022 Women's Business Summit which will consist of virtual panels, “Ask an Expert” workshops, and fireside chats to help women-owned small businesses build, scale, and grow. In-person salon/listening sessions will also be hosted by local and regional hosts.

About the Office of Women’s Business Ownership

The Office of Women’s Business Ownership’s mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support. Since it was established in response to an executive order in 1979, OWBO has provided training, counseling, technical assistance, access to credit and capital, as well as marketing opportunities to women. 

To learn more about SBA’s programs and services for women entrepreneurs, people can visit http://ww.sba.gov/women . To find other Women’s Business Center locations and SBA resources, people can visit http://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance .

About the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center

The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a non-profit that is building a better path for entrepreneurs worldwide. Established in 2014 with support from the Nasdaq Educational Foundation, the Center serves entrepreneurs from around the world through events, education, and mentorship. To learn more, people can visit https://thecenter.nasdaq.org .

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, people can visit http://www.sba.gov .