Women Entrepreneurship Week
Women Entrepreneurship Week (WEW) is a global celebration of female founders, innovators, and changemakers. First launched in 2014 by Montclair State University’s Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (FCE&I), the initiative has grown rapidly—by 2018, more than 200 universities and colleges across 30 countries and 43 U.S. states were participating.
At its heart, WEW has always been about removing barriers and creating opportunities. One of the most memorable milestones was Montclair State’s 2018 conference, where organizers provided free on-site childcare—ensuring that entrepreneurial parents could fully participate in a day of inspiration, networking, and actionable learning. The conference featured successful founders like Abby Taylor (Playa Bowls) and Betty Manetta (Argent Associates), and concluded with Google’s #IamRemarkable workshop, empowering women to recognize and celebrate their achievements.
Why Women Entrepreneurship Matters
Women-led businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurship worldwide. Female founders are driving innovation in sectors from technology and healthcare to food and retail. Yet, they continue to face challenges in accessing venture capital, mentorship, and networks at the same scale as their male counterparts.
That’s why initiatives like Women Entrepreneurship Week are so important—they shine a spotlight on female founders, build supportive ecosystems, and push for greater equity in business.
Continuing the Mission with FundedIQ
Today, the mission of supporting women entrepreneurs continues in new ways. At FundedIQ, we track startups that recently raised funding—providing agencies, investors, and partners with curated data and verified decision-maker contacts.
Our data shows a steady rise in the number of female-founded startups securing funding each year. By spotlighting these companies, we help agencies and partners discover, connect with, and support women entrepreneurs at pivotal growth moments.
If you’re passionate about supporting women in business—or if you want to discover recently funded startups (including many female-led ventures)—you can explore our list of funded startups.
Looking Ahead
The spirit of Women Entrepreneurship Week lives on: in every pitch by a female founder, in every breakthrough startup team that includes women at the helm, and in every ecosystem that provides equal access to opportunities.
By continuing to celebrate women in entrepreneurship and providing them with the right data, networks, and support, we can make sure the next decade sees even more success stories.
