Alternative Funding Solutions for Women-Owned Small Businesses

Posted by Karen Erdelac on May 7, 2015

women in businessWomen have made considerable strides in the corporate landscape over the years. Not only are females gaining high-level positions within private firms, they're also dominating the entrepreneurial landscape. 

Last year, American Express released the State-Owned Business Report, which utilized data from the United States Census Bureau, and it discovered that female entrepreneurship has been on the rise over the past 17 years. 

In this time frame, female-owned businesses have grown 68 percent, the growth has doubled within the past three years. In 2014, more than 9.1 million women-owned businesses operating in the U.S., which is up from 8.6 million in the previous year. The significant growth has generated approximately $1.5 trillion in revenues for these female-driven companies. 

Randi Schochet, vice president of brand strategy at American Express, noted in a statement that the data suggests women are now choosing a career path of entrepreneurship, something that has been a growing concern for women's organizations. Susan Duffy, the executive director of the center for women's entrepreneurial leadership at Babson College, told Fox Business News that this is positive and exciting news. 

"Entrepreneurship is a central path to job creation and economic growth," said Duffy. "And now women are starting businesses 1½ times the national average

According to Inc. magazine, there are three important facts about this trend: 

  •   Women are growing the field of small businesses.
  •   They are innovative
  •   They are achieving a great deal of success.


Harder for Female Entrepreneurs to Attain Funding 

Although a growing number of women are launching businesses, it is harder for them to raise small business funding and secure funds from venture capitalists or angel investors. Whether or not it's gender bias or a lack of interest is debatable, at least according to the various comments from an array of female business leaders. 

Lisa Falzone, CEO and co-founder of Revel Systems, opines in Entrepreneur that the venture capital field has made it more difficult for women entrepreneurs to garner funding, which can essentially help grow a company quickly. This is bad news for the economy. 

Citing data from The Economist, Falzone writes that if women had the same amount of capital as men they would add six million more jobs to the overall economy, including two million within their very first year. She believes the problem is the paucity of women on venture capitalists boards and the fact that men are likelier to select those who are similar to them. 

Women's Venture Capital Fund is looking to remedy this problem by working with women-owned businesses. As the organization writes on its website: "The Fund capitalizes on the expanding pipeline of women entrepreneurs leading gender diverse teams and creating capital efficient, high growth companies in digital media and sustainable products and services. We believe that this unique investment strategy now provides the potential for extraordinary returns." 

However, Lynn Perkins, co-founder and CEO of UrbanSitter, told Forbes "that people are judged primarily by their skills and ability, and not by their gender." Perkins believes if female entrepreneurs walk into a room with an idea that they believe will be an immense market opportunity then VCs will be open to the idea and not focus on gender. 
business women
Alternative Funding Solutions for Female Entrepreneurs 

Nevertheless, female entrepreneurs need funding, and they may seek out alternative funding options to launch a business and cultivate an idea. 

Unsure where to start? Try A Business Cash Advance 

When financial institutions are no longer a reliable source of funding, small businesses are beginning to turn to business cash advances. This method of future receivables provides retailers with an opportunity to cover short-term expenditures or to invest in long-term business solutions. It's fast, easy and affordable for cash-strapped entrepreneurs. 


Final Thoughts 

The facts state that women entrepreneurs offer advantages for the economy, particularly at a time when we need healthy growth. If female business leaders can't raise enough small business funding to experience business growth then this could hinder the marketplace and labor market. Alternative sources of funding can be ideal solutions for women-owned small businesses. Apply for a business cash advance today and start growing your business before the end of the week! 
Apply Now

Topics: Growing Your Business