Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: Advancing Innovation and Equity

February 25, 2026 | By Alex Held

In March, BizLaunch celebrates Women’s History Month. The month offers a powerful reminder of the essential role women play in driving economic growth, innovation and community resilience. Today, women own more than 42 percent of all businesses in the United States, contributing more than $1.9 trillion in annual revenue and employing 9.4 million workers. Their impact continues to expand. In 2024, women launched 49 percent of all new businesses, reflecting the fastest growth rate in five years.

Despite these gains, women entrepreneurs continue to face persistent challenges — access to capital, gender bias and disproportionate hurdles to scaling. While women own more than 42 percent of all businesses in the United States, they account for just 6.2 percent of total revenues and 9.6 percent of employment. This highlights a significant opportunity gap that organizations across the country are working to close. These disparities make community-based support networks — like Arlington’s BizLaunch — all the more critical.

In Arlington, women entrepreneurs make up more than half of BizLaunch clients, reflecting both the strength and diversity of our local business community. This March, BizLaunch and its partners are offering two high-impact opportunities for women founders to connect, learn and grow.

The AWE Women in Business Summit powered by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce brings together visionary entrepreneurs, thought leaders and resource partners for a day of inspiration and practical skill-building. Attendees can expect workshops, panels and networking designed to help women expand leadership capacity and accelerate business growth. BizLaunch is proud to support this event.

Additionally, the Arlington Public Library and BizLaunch will host the Shop Open House and Maker Fair. Join us for an interactive day in The Shop, Arlington Public Library’s makerspace, and support local women-owned small businesses taking part in the Maker Fair. Learn more about this opportunity, including the businesses vending, and register today.

As we honor Women’s History Month, we also invest in the future — a future where women entrepreneurs continue to transform Arlington’s economy through creativity, resilience and leadership. To learn more about BizLaunch visit www.bizlaunch.org.