AWBC's Entrepreneurial Policy Priorities
Decades of research reveal enduring barriers faced by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI), and in particular, women to start and grow businesses. AWBC’s nonpartisan data-led policy agenda outlines much needed change. With this, we can all foster an environment where women entrepreneurs can succeed and thrive, further contributing to economic growth and prosperity.
For an agenda that addresses the broader SEDI community, see Kauffman Foundation's America's New Business Plan.
Modernize, Fund, and Leverage the WBC Program at SBA
- Re-authorize the WBC Program for the first time in 20 years.
- Significantly increase the appropriations funding for the WBC program.
- Prioritize WBCs as a technical assistance provider in future legislation.
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Create Access to Capital Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs
- Reform SBA lending programs to ensure utility for women entrepreneurs.
- Leverage the Community Reinvestment Act to increase lending to women.
- Incentivize early-stage investment in women-owned companies through additional federal programs.
- Increase funding, and designate funding for WOSBs, to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
- Ensure standardization and equitable deployment for the Department of Treasury's (DOT) State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding allocations.
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Expand Opportunity for Women-Owned Small Businesses Through Open Government and Foreign Markets
- Simplify the SBA's WOSB certification process and allow WBCs to certify businesses.
- Adopt a trade policy agenda that prioritizes small and, by extension women-owned small businesses.
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Level the Playing Field By Addressing Longstanding Barriers Women Entrepreneurs Disproportionately Experience
- Expand women-oriented healthcare options to support women entrepreneurs.
- Recognize solopreneur as a "job" under the Department of Labor (DoL) and IRS.
- Ensure correct mechanisms are in place for women re-entering the workforce after incarceration.
- Increase opportunities for women business owners to utilize federal assistance in childcare and caretaking.
- Make affordable healthcare options for small businesses to increase competitiveness in the marketplace and retain talent.
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Prepare the Next Generation of Women's Entrepreneurship by Increasing Knowledge and Viability
- Enable entrepreneurs to save for retirement.
- Provide opportunities for youth to learn about entrepreneurship and business.
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Identify and Establish Gender Parity in Underrepresented Industries
- Establish solutions for known industries where women are underrepresented help bridge the gender divide.
- To comprehensively understand the industries where women are underrepresented, implement a GAO study to identify which industries have the most disparate representation and potential avenues to increase WOSB presence.
- Create and deploy a national broadband plan to ensure that entrepreneurs in low-income and rural communities have the same opportunity to fast and reliable internet.
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