INVESTING IN, AND BY, WOMEN
The number of women who invest in small businesses is growing, and so is the number of companies led by women that receive funding.
Those findings were released Monday by the Kauffman Foundation, which does research on entrepreneurship. The foundation analyzed studies on investors done by universities and other institutions.
The percentage of women who are angel investors has increased from about 5 percent in 2004 to about 25 percent last year, Kauffman said, citing research from the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire. Angel investors are people or groups who invest in very young or very small companies.
Studies of venture capital firms show they’re doing more investing in companies founded by women or that have women executives, Kauffman said. It cited a study by professors at Babson College that showed more than 15 percent of companies receiving venture capital between 2011 and 2013 had women executives. That’s up from less than 5 percent in the 1990s and 2000s.
Another study, by business information company Crunchbase, found that 18 percent of companies with women founders got their first funding in 2014, nearly twice the percentage from 2009.
GETTING READY FOR WINTER
The Small Business Administration plans an online seminar about preparing a business for severe winter weather. Topics will include how to stay open despite heavy rains and snow, and how to protect employees, customers and property. It will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Learn more and register at http://bit.ly/2eoazvz
HOW TO HELP A BUSINESS GROW
Small business owners can get tips on how to start and expand a business in an online seminar sponsored by SCORE, which offers free counseling for small companies. It will be held Thursday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Learn more and register at http://bit.ly/2dDwKtX