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Between 1997
and 2002, the Center for Women's Business Research
estimates that the number of women-owned firms increased
by 14% nationwide -- twice the rate of all firms. In
addition, employment in women-owned companies increased
by 30% -- 1-1/2 times the U.S. rate, and sales grew by
40% -- the same rate as all firms in the U.S.
Despite the measurable success of women in business, a
disproportionately small percentage of venture money
goes to women-founded businesses. Enter FWE.
Founded
in 1993, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) is
the premier entrepreneurial organization for women
building and leading high-growth technology and life
science companies. The mission is to accelerate
women's opportunities to start, manage and invest in
market-leading companies.
To
accomplish this goal, FWE provides women-founded and
women-led businesses with access to top-tier funding
sources; interactive learning on the ins and outs of
running venture funded companies; and connections to
a high caliber community of entrepreneurs, investors
& service providers.
MEMBERS
FWE has
created a vibrant entrepreneurial community with
members in five categories:
1.
ENTREPRENEURS: women founders, founding team
members, CEOs and Presidents of life science or high
tech businesses.
2.
START-UP EMPLOYEES: senior level women in early
stage start-ups, pre-IPO or private companies.
3.
CORPORATE EXECUTIVES: senior-level women in
companies who are interested in joining to learn and
build skills in leading high-growth companies. We
also welcome men and women in this category who
bring senior level expertise and are interested in
serving as mentors and advisors to FWE members
starting companies.
4.
ACTIVE INVESTORS: which includes venture
capitalists, angels, and corporate investors.
5.
SERVICE PROVIDERS TO START-UPS: those who provide
strategic business services to start-ups, including
legal, accounting, banking, investment banking
services as well as business plan writing, product
positioning, web design companies, PR, etc. Service
providers whose clients include 50% or more high
tech or life sciences start-ups are welcome as part
of the FWE community. FWE welcomes men and women
For more
information on FWE, please contact Jnana Anderson at
949 439-1943, email
jnana@fwe.org, or go to the website
www.fwe.org/socal.
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