SBA launches digital platform for women-owned businesses

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The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a free e-learning platform for female entrepreneurs.

The program, called Ascent, features content on preparing and recovering from disasters, strategic marketing and business financial strategy development, according to a news release. The program was spearheaded by the White House, the SBA, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, each of which provided resources and content for the platform.

“Throughout this year alone, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they evaluate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.  Ascent includes valuable and timely resources to help women business owners navigate and prepare their business models from potential impacts,” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said in the release. “I want to thank former SBA administrator and business owner Linda McMahon, who planted the seed for this endeavor. It is an incredible privilege to assist women-owned businesses — a key pillar of our nation’s economic firepower — thrive and achieve success.”

Women entrepreneurs start and own almost half of all businesses in the U.S. and generate $1.9 trillion in revenue, according to the release.

“This initiative, along with the recent announcement of opening 20 new Women’s Business Centers in 2021, is the SBA’s largest single expansion of resources specifically tailored for women in more than 30 years and furthers our nation’s commitment to nearly 13 million women-owned businesses,” Carranza said in the release. “I look forward to working with our partners nationwide to shine a light on American women business owners and their journey to success, job creation and economic independence.”

The announcement follows SBA’s opening of the second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding on Jan. 11.