2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses

The 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report, commissioned by Wells Fargo, explores women’s entrepreneurship and the barriers they face, particularly for women of color. It highlights concrete steps taken by the government, corporations, philanthropists, and support organizations to dismantle these barriers while identifying areas for further action.

 

The entrepreneurial landscape in the U.S. has undergone a profound transformation in the wake of the pandemic. The surge in business formations, particularly among women-owned businesses, has been extraordinary.

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In 2024, women represent more than half of the U.S. adult population and are making significant strides in business ownership. However, the challenge of scaling these businesses persists. Women-owned businesses represent 39.2% of all businesses. They account for only 9.6% of employment and 6.2% of revenues, highlighting an ongoing gap that needs to be addressed.

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The 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report delves deeper into these trends, exploring the factors driving the growth of women-owned businesses, the challenges they continue to face, and the opportunities that lie ahead. It also examines the impact of gender as it intersects with race and ethnicity, business size, industry, and geography, providing a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape of women’s entrepreneurship in the U.S.​