The Women Presidents Organization Will Host Its 2026 Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum (EEF) 5/7/26

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO), the premier global peer advisory community for women entrepreneurs leading multi-million-dollar businesses, will host its 2026 Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum (EEF) on May 7–8, 2026, at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

You won't want to miss it.  I'll [Laurel Delaney] be there and hope to see you, too!

Why 2026 is the Best Year for Women to Start Businesses

The landscape for women entrepreneurs in 2026 is fundamentally different from what it was two years ago. AI tools have democratized capabilities that once required entire teams. Funding gaps are narrowing—slowly, but measurably. The market rewards businesses built around authenticity, community and values-driven commerce, all areas where women founders can consistently outperform.

But back to why 2026 is the best year for women to start businesses. The data tells a compelling story. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, women-owned businesses now have access to targeted funding opportunities, federal contracting programs, and an expanding network of Women’s Business Centers that provide free training and counseling. These are all resources that significantly improve success rates in female-founded businesses.

Before diving into what you think will be a viable business, ask yourself these three questions:

1. What does success look like for you? 
2. What skills do you already have that the market will pay for? 
3. How much risk can you tolerate right now? 

Now, let's take a look at some profitable business ideas.

Funding Opportunities for Women Business Owners Curated by the WBDC Chicago

Below is a list of current Funding Opportunities curated by Women Business Development Center's (WBDC’s) Access to Capital team in Chicago.  If interested in any of these opportunities, please reach out to the organization via the links or emails provided.

Funding opportunities.

Several Fortune 500 Companies Are Run By Women

There are 14.5 million women-owned businesses in the United States. Firms run by female executives employ 12.9 million workers and generate $3.3 trillion annually.  Several Fortune 500 companies are run by women. No longer are female business leaders an anomaly. Although there are still more male-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs are catching up, owning more than 39 percent of businesses in the United States.

Here are the stories of women who became the heads of well-known and Fortune 500 companies.