One of the advantages we have at AFIA DEI Index is being part of The Forum with its network of relationships with women entrepreneurs across the country. In October and November 2022, we leveraged this community to run three focus groups to learn about diverse women entrepreneurs’ experiences in trying to access funding for their businesses and their advice to funders for improvement. This is the second of two blogs about what we learned.
One of the advantages we have at AFIA DEI Index is being part of The Forum with its network of relationships with women entrepreneurs across the country. In October and November 2022, we leveraged this community to run three focus groups to learn about diverse women entrepreneurs’ experiences in trying to access funding for their businesses and their advice to funders for improvement. This is the first
For many women, self-funding is a personal choice made to not saddle their business with debt. For Black women entrepreneurs, this is often the only way they can fund their businesses since other options have historically not been available to them.
Women are building businesses in all sectors. They are creating jobs, supporting communities and making a significant economic impact - 1.5 billion+ contributed to the national economy each year. But women entrepreneurs are not getting the funding they need. In fact, while women represent 38% of self-employed people in our country, they start and grow their businesses with 50% less financial capital than men.
The Forum’s mission is to help women entrepreneurs access the resources and community they need to thrive in business. Women Entrepreneurship Day (WED) aligns with our values and commitment to our community. We choose women. We always have.
