Women-owned businesses

The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) helps women entrepreneurs through programs coordinated by SBA district offices. Programs include business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital.

The OWBO oversees Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). These centers seek to level the playing field for all women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the business world.

Businesses receiving assistance from WBCs see a significantly better success rate than those without similar support. 

The 8(a) Business Development program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. Check with WBCs and local assistance resources for guidance, and our Lender Match tool for finding capital.

Women-owned small businesses can also take advantage of SBA loan programs. Our partners offer advice and counseling to help choose the right path for your company.

This program helps women-owned small businesses compete for federal contracts. Understand the eligibility requirements before applying.

SBA also works with federal agencies to increase contracting opportunities and achieve the government’s 5% contracting goal for women-owned small businesses. Keep an eye out for matchmaking events targeting both the federal and private procurement.

The National Women’s Business Council is a non-partisan federal advisory council serving as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Council is the government’s only independent voice for women entrepreneurs, tackling important and relevant economic issues.

DreamBuilder introduces participants to all areas of business ownership through a carefully crafted and engaging curriculum, featured in English and Spanish. At the conclusion of the program, women leave with a business plan to start their own business or develop an existing one.

Following are more partner resources on women-owned small business.

• Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC)
• National Association of Women in Construction
• National Association of Women in Real Estate Businesses (NAWRB)
• National Association of Women's Business Owners (NAWBO)
• U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
• Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
• Women's Presidents' Organization (WPO)

In SBA's Winning Business: Resilient Stories of U.S. Small Business Owners video series, you can learn how women business owners around the country found help from SBA and our Resource Partner network.  Discover their greatest challenges, biggest opportunities, and lessons learned along the way.