AWBC's Entrepreneurial Policy Priorities
The following document outlines the 2024 policy priorities of the Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC).
These priorities have been identified to modernize, support, and promote the growth of women-owned businesses across various sectors.
The AWBC aims to create an inclusive and equitable business environment by addressing barriers faced by women entrepreneurs and providing them with access to resources, capital, technology, and opportunities.
These policy priorities reflect the AWBC's commitment to empowering women
entrepreneurs and fostering their success in the ever-evolving business landscape of 2024.
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.
Create Access to Capital Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs
- Provide greater access to capital for women entrepreneurs.
- Leverage the Community Reinvestment Act and State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to increase lending.
- Designate funding for WOSBs in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
- Incentivize early-stage investment in women-owned companies through federal programs.
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.
Level the Playing Field By Addressing Longstanding Barriers Women Entrepreneurs Disproportionately Experience
- Ensure women business owners benefit from tax reform.
- Make affordable healthcare options available, increase opportunities for federal assistance in childcare.
- Recognize solopreneurs, and enable entrepreneurs to save for retirement.
Enable Technology and Innovations to Benefit Women Business Owners
- Provide clear guidance on breakthrough technologies, expand digital commerce and online marketplaces.
- Make technology investments and R&D tax deductible for women-owned businesses.
Identify and Establish Gender Parity in Underrepresented Industries
- Establish solutions for industries where women are underrepresented.
- Conduct a GAO study to identify industries with disparate representation.
- Create a national broadband plan, and strengthen programs for women inventors' education and IP protections.
