Event Details
A room full of builders.
Founders.
Investors.
Policy shapers.
Changemakers.
Workforce Leaders.
Ecosystem architects.
Register now for this one-day statewide summit focused on expanding women’s wealth-building, economic mobility, and small business growth — and the policies, partnerships, and investments needed to make it happen.
When women lead businesses, California’s economy grows.
Hosted by the California Women’s Business Centers Network (CA WBC) — the only coordinated statewide infrastructure supporting women entrepreneurs across California — this summit highlights how women-owned and women-led businesses are shaping California’s economic future.
WHY THIS SUMMIT MATTERS NOW
Let’s start with the numbers.
California is home to 1.5 million women-owned businesses (nearly 40% of all Californian businesses) — more than any other state in the country. Together, women-owned businesses contribute $580B+ in revenue to the state.
Private technology companies led by women achieve a 35% higher return on investment. Yet 42% of women small business owners who applied for bank loans were denied and only 2.3% of venture capital funds goes to women-led businesses.
And as of early 2026, women make up approximately 47% of the total U.S. labor force. Yet women hold only 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEO positions.
Women are starting businesses faster than ever before — 49% of all new U.S. businesses were started by women.
Yet the systems that fuel growth — access to capital, procurement opportunities, childcare infrastructure, and workforce pathways — haven’t kept pace.