We are pleased to share Council’s Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2016, “United We Thrive: Sustaining Our Momentum in Public and Private Arenas”

This year marks another period of tremendous growth and opportunity for women business owners.

The 2012 Survey of Business Owners and Self-Employed Persons shows that women-owned businesses now comprise nearly 36 percent of the country’s businesses, generating over $1.4 trillion in receipts.  The Council recognizes the significant contribution that women entrepreneurs have made towards ensuring that America’s economy is strong. As the Council looks toward 2017, the continued support of the White House, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other stakeholders is essential to advancing women entrepreneurs’ entrances to new marketplaces, access to capital, and efforts to create jobs and scale up.

In this annual report, we present:

• A review of the Council’s research reports released this past fiscal year;
• Action taken by the Council, key stakeholders, and other parts of the entrepreneurial ecosystem that have impacted women business owners;
• Priorities and plans for Fiscal Year 2017, including new initiatives already in progress which will address the issues affecting women in business.

The Council looks forward to working with the full entrepreneurial ecosystem to grow its aggressive agenda in 2017, and to continuing to be a steadfast voice for women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.