We are pleased to share the Council’s Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2015, “10 Million Strong – The Tipping Point for Women’s Entrepreneurship”

2015 was a transformational year for women entrepreneurs and their businesses. Women are starting 1,200 new businesses per day – they are inventing products, solving problems, creating jobs and supporting their communities.

The impact is undeniable and the growth is unprecedented, but we have a long way to go before reaching parity. Women continue to lack access to some of the most crucial assets, capital and markets, necessary to launch and grow their businesses. We are at a tipping point. It’s a time for celebration, but also a call-to-action to effectively sustain this momentum. Hence the title for this year’s report.

This Annual Report is a synthesis of the Council’s commitment to supporting women in business by producing best-in-class, actionable research on the most relevant issues facing aspiring and current women business owners and leaders, and identifying – through research and engagement – the unique barriers and challenges of women in pursuit of business. The Annual Report includes:

• Notable trends in women’s entrepreneurship
• Summary of the Council’s research portfolio
• Highlights from the Council’s engagement efforts and other accomplishments, as well as the contributions of other key stakeholders
• Recommendations to improve the business climate for women

The Annual Report was delivered to the SBA Administrator, the White House, and Members of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship and House Small Business Committees on December 16, 2015. In 2016, the Council plans to work strategically and collaboratively with key influencers, stakeholders, and policy makers to take action on these recommendations and continue research that illuminates the issues, challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs.