If you are a female entrepreneur who is either interested in starting or currently owns a business in Pennsylvania, there are many organizations that offer services specifically geared toward supporting you and your business. The resources in this section range from local to national and offer specific opportunities and funding to women-owned businesses.
State Resources
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide services to all small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of historically underrepresented and underserved populations, including women. Understanding the unique challenges women face, the SBDCs provide services tailored to their specific needs. In fact, women-and jointly-owned businesses consistently represent over half of their client base. Learn more about the SBDC resources for women-owned businesses in Pennsylvania.
Regional Resources (PA-DE-NJ)
A partner with the Opens in new window Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) provides women business enterprise certification, educational, networking, procurement-related, and informational programs and services that foster growth and business opportunities between WBEs and purchasing entities — including major corporations and government agencies — in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey.
The Opens in new windowWomen’s Business Enterprise Center – East (WBEC-East) fosters the development and retention of successful business by delivering resources that enable individuals to start new businesses and grow existing ones. WBDC facilitates the relationship between corporations, government and women-owned businesses to provide growth and sustainability through the Women’s Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-NJ.
Opens in new window The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University (CWE) creates economic opportunities through entrepreneurial counseling, education, and training. Since 2005, CWE has provided high-quality business education and training and free one-on-one technical assistance to entrepreneurs at all stages of business. CWE provides services to entrepreneurs and underserved populations, minority entrepreneurs, and veterans throughout Opens in new window 11 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. CWE services are available to all regardless of gender.
Federal Resources
The federal government, through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), helps women entrepreneurs launch new businesses and compete in the marketplace. They also connect them with available training and funding opportunities offered specifically to women. Learn more about the Opens in new windowSBA’s resources for women-owned businesses.
