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Women-owned businesses are on the rise.
There are 11.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, according to American Express’ 2016 State of Women-Owned Business Report – that’s about 38 percent of all businesses. Since 2007, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 45 percent, five times faster than the national average, according to the same report.
Yet despite this growth and how much women-owned businesses contribute to the economy — they employ nearly 9 million people and generate over $1.6 trillion in revenues as of 2016, according to American Express’ report — it can still be difficult for women business owners and entrepreneurs to access capital.
What problems do women business owners face when it comes to funding?
Accessing capital is difficult for all small business owners. Twenty-seven percent of small businesses that apply for funding are denied or only partially funded, according to the Federal Reserve Banks’ 2016 Small Business Credit Survey, and 44 percent don’t even apply — whether it’s for fear of denial or because they are debt averse.
But for women-owned businesses, data points to a lending gap.
For example, women-owned businesses don’t get a proportionate share of loans. Women own about 38 percent of all businesses in the U.S., but only receive about 18 percent of small business loans, according to SBA Lending Statistics for Major Programs. And a study by Babson College found that businesses owned exclusively by men are four times as likely to receive venture capital funding.
And despite the fact that women are starting businesses at a faster rate than men, only 5.5 percent of women use bank loans to start their businesses, compared to 11.4 percent of men, according to the US Small Business Administration.
Where does this gap come from?
In some cases, it may be due to the same factors that affect all small business owners. Of business owners whose loan applications were denied or partially funded in the Fed’s 2016 Small Business Credit Survey, 31 percent had insufficient collateral, 29 percent had a low credit score, and 28 percent had insufficient credit history.
Women may also be less likely to apply for funding. The Department of Commerce found that women are more likely to self-finance their businesses rather than access outside financing.
Despite these statistics, there are women business owners out there getting funding every day. And we know that capital is important for growth — it’s what allows you to invest in new equipment, open a second location, and hire more employees.
So if you want to access new capital for your business, you need to educate yourself about your options. Here we review two of them: small business loans and private grants.
Small business loans for women
When used strategically, small business loans are an excellent way to spark growth or relieve issues with cash flow. (Here are five ways you might use a small business loan.)
There are many types of business loans. You might apply for a traditional small business loan through a bank. But getting a small business loan from a traditional bank can be tough for any small business owner, especially if you’re just starting out.
For example, banks sometimes require collateral, that is, physical property that can be claimed by a bank if a loan is not repaid and becomes delinquent. And startup business owners oftentimes don’t yet have equipment or real estate that they can use as collateral — and understandably may not be willing to use their personal property either. (Here are some other pain points of applying for a traditional small business loan.)
Luckily, traditional banks aren’t the only avenue for small business owners to secure funding.
Square Loans provides access to small business loans — the average size of a loan through Square Loans is $6,000. And the ability to repay as a percentage of daily card sales works with the cash-flow needs of small businesses; you pay more when you’re busy and less if things slow down.
With Square Loans, the application process takes just a few clicks, and upon approval, funds can be transferred into a borrower’s bank account in as little as one business day.
Over the past two years, Square Loans has helped over 140,000 businesses grow with more than $1.8 billion in financing. Fifty-four percent of loans through Square Loans went to women, according to a 2017 survey, compared to 18 percent of traditional loans.1
The 2017 survey also found that over 80 percent of women entrepreneurs who accepted funding through Square Loans indicated they were able to grow their business with the funds. Most used their loans to purchase inventory, purchase new equipment, and help fund day-to-day expenses.
Private grants for women
Unlike a loan, a grant is money that you don’t have to pay back. Sounds great, right? It is, but it’s also much more restrictive than most other funding options available to small business owners. Most grants come with strict guidelines as to who qualifies for funds and what those funds can be spent on.
There are a number of grants out there for women-owned businesses. We’ve highlighted a small group of private grants here (there are also government-backed grants that you can find out about through the SBA). But if you are interested in this route, make sure to do your own research. There may be industry- or geographic-specific grants that you qualify for that aren’t included here.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards
The jeweler awards 18 early-phase women entrepreneurs heading businesses that have significant growth potential in six global regions. Six first-place finalists receive $100,000 and personalized mentoring (all other finalists get $30,000). All the finalists benefit from coaching, workshops, and media exposure.
Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant
The women’s clothing retailer awards $100,000 to up to 10 businesses that have at least 51 percent women ownership and leadership. To be eligible, your business must be at least three years old, have less than $1 million in annual revenue, and focus on environmental or social change.
Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship
The Tory Burch Foundation awards a fellowship to 10 women who own a majority stake in a business and manage those businesses on a day-to-day basis. The fellowship includes a $10,000 grant and the opportunity to pitch industry leaders for a $100,000 grant.
FedEx Opportunity Knocks Small Business Grant Contest
FedEx rewards $100,000 in grants to 10 small businesses ($25,000 to the first prize winner). To enter, they ask businesses to share how they got started, their philosophy and goals, and what a grant could help them accomplish. Part of the judging involves the general public voting for the finalists via social media. This grant program isn’t limited to women business owners.
InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge
Backed by the SBA and the Sara Blakely Foundation, this challenge rewards women entrepreneurs who run businesses dedicated to providing products and services that impact women and families. Applicants are entered into a local contest first; winners of those local competitions move to the semifinals. From there, finalists present their businesses at a national competition hosted by the SBA. The winner could receive up to $70,000 in grant money.
Open Meadows Foundation
This organization provides grants for women-backed projects that promote gender, racial, and economic justice. To enter, you must be a woman and your business must benefit women and girls. The foundation provides grants of $2,000 and only considers applicants with no more than $75,000 in resources.
Amber Grant
This foundation awards $10,000 to a different women-owned business each month. At the end of each year, one of the 12 monthly winners is awarded an additional $25,000. To apply, explain what your business is and describe what you’d do with the grant money. Judges look for women with passion and a good story.
National Association for the Self-Employed
This organization provides grants up to $4,000. To qualify you need to be a member, describe how you’ll use the funds and how it will support growth, and provide the appropriate documentation. (This nonprofit is also a good resource if you’re self-employed.)
Tips for applying for a grant
- Read the synopsis and guidelines. Be sure that you are eligible before you put time into applying.
- Keep organized by putting together a list of all the documents you need to submit with your proposal.
- Grant applications can be technical, so don’t be afraid to ask for help — especially if you’ve never written a proposal before. Organizations like the SBA and SCORE can provide coaching for grant applications.
- Review, review, review. Have a few people look over your application to ensure that you’re including all the appropriate documents.
Resources for women business owners
Sometimes, it’s nice to have a little guidance. While not all of these organizations provide funding, they can be invaluable resources for small business owners as they look to grow.
There are a lot of organizations dedicated to helping women succeed as business owners and entrepreneurs. We’ve put together a handful that we think are useful, but it’s not exclusive. If you want an organization or group dedicated to your particular industry or focused in your hometown, do a little searching — you’ll probably find it.
Women’s Business Centers
These SBA-sponsored centers are designed to help women entrepreneurs with business development and access to capital. There are almost 100 centers across the country. Some lend money directly, while others just help you find grants and loans that you may be eligible for. If you’re not close to a Women’s Business Center, check out an SBA Small Business Development Center.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
This dues-based organization represents the interests of women entrepreneurs across all industries. Members get access to events, e-learning, and a library of resources that includes topics like accessing capital.
U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)
This is a nonpartisan organization that works to increase economic growth opportunities for women. Its areas of focus include access to capital, education, and political office. It also certifies women-owned businesses that want to be eligible for federal contracts.
American Business Women’s Association (ABWA)
This group provides opportunities for women entrepreneurs to grow personally and professionally through ongoing education and networking.
37 Angels
This is an organization that helps connect women entrepreneurs and angel investors. Even if this isn’t the road you want to go down, it has a great resources section that includes helpful tools and blogs.
SCORE
This nonprofit is the biggest network of volunteer business mentors in the U.S. An SBA partner, it provides free business counseling. It also provides low-cost seminars and online training.
TED for Women
TED provides global conferences focused on “ideas worth spreading” — and videos of these talks are all available online. Great if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Getting funding doesn’t have to be a headache. With improved access to capital, through online lending sources like Square Capital, grants, and sponsorships, women can knock their business goals out of the park.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or legal advice.
Square Loans, LLC and Square Financial Services, Inc. are both wholly owned subsidiaries of Square, Inc. Square Loans, LLC d/b/a Square Capital of California, LLC in FL, GA, MT, and NY. All loans are issued by either Celtic Bank or Square Financial Services, Inc. Square Financial Services, Inc. and Celtic Bank are both Utah-Chartered Industrial Banks. Members FDIC, located in Salt Lake City, UT. The bank issuing your loan will be identified in your loan agreement. The individual authorized to act on behalf of the business must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. Loan eligibility is not guaranteed. All loans are subject to approval. [/sq-disclaimer]
