As with every other business – the Center for Women Entrepreneurs had to change the way it offered services and had to do it quickly. One of the first changes was moving our monthly WomenRISE breakfast and speaker event to a virtual platform. This change allowed us to reach more women across Texas to these events and even attracted viewers from Scotland and England.
As mandatory shut-downs started happening in Texas, the CWE realized the losses that women-owned businesses would be feeling, especially in households where these women were the main or only breadwinner. The center implemented the $1,000,000 AssistHER grant to give women business owners $10,000 to help maintain their business. The demand was incredible and over 5,000 women applied for the 100 grants that would be given.
In partnership with Stoke Denton, the CWE created the AccelerateHER incubator program which is designed to help early-stage companies develop and test their ideas and grow their businesses with a hands-on focus by the program manager, mentors, and partner networks. This incubator program is equipping the participating entrepreneurs with tools, education, coach, and mentorship that will enable them to successfully develop their products or services, take them to market, and secure funding or investment where needed.
The StartHER grant program, part of an ongoing effort to boost women-owned businesses, kicked off in September and received 156 applications. 10 winners were announced in October and each was awarded 5,000 for their business. Awardees are required to complete a small business training course hosted by the CWE to receive funding. The course covers topics such as business plan development, marketing, legal, insurance, accounting, and financing and was open to everyone
In addition,
✨215 women received Small Business Advising
✨26 Professional Development Events were presented
✨The Society of Student Entrepreneurs was developed
✨20 new entrepreneurial scholarships were awarded to students

✨Several faculty research projects about women in the workplace were
initiated
We expect to keep the momentum growing in 2021 with a new grant program, expanded business development programs including evening and weekend workshops for those kicking off a side-hustle or business while working full time.