Women-Led Business

Investing in women and our communities

Women leaders change the world

We see them not just succeeding—but thriving. We're inspired by women business leaders and care about supporting growth in their careers and endeavors. In fact, at First Citizens, 52% of our managers are women.

This collection of resources is meant to empower women entrepreneurs as they continue to reach bold new heights.

Sharon Bryant

"Women are natural entrepreneurs. They are confident, empathetic and extremely resilient. Women-led businesses are growing significantly in our footprint, and investing in their achievements is critical to our long-term success."

Sharon Bryant
Regional Executive Vice President at First Citizens

Strength in leadership

14 Million

Women-owned businesses in the US in 2021

$2.7 Trillion

In yearly profits generated from women-owned businesses

40%

Of all US businesses are owned by women

12.2 Million

People employed by women-owned businesses since 2017

Michelle Chan-Ponder

"I'm proud of the bank's commitment to women-owned businesses in our community. The culture here has allowed me to stay true to myself and focus on long-term goals and objectives. When it comes to supporting my career growth in a male-dominated industry, First Citizens walks the talk."

Michelle Chan-Ponder
Regional Executive Vice President at First Citizens

Resources

Further your goals

Certifying your business as woman-owned can open the door to a wide range of financial opportunities, federal contracts, development programs and a network of support to help you grow.

SBA Certification

The Small Business Administration, or SBA, offers certifications for your Woman Owned Small Business or Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business.

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WBENC Certification

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council, or WBENC, certifies women owned businesses across the US, granting access to support, targeted business opportunities, networking and mentorship opportunities.

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NWBOC Certification

The National Women Business Owners Corporation, or NWBOC, provides business resources to help its "certified members to scale, become more sustainable—and ultimately more procurement ready—to do business with government and private sectors."

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These grant programs are offered specifically for women-owned and -operated businesses. Even if your business is only an idea, these grants can help you get started.

Grants.gov℠ Federal Grants

Since 2002, Grants.gov has made it easy to search and apply for grants for small business owners—with over 1,000 heavily vetted federal grant programs available.

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37 Angels

Founded by women investors, 37 Angels offer grants up to $150,000 to women-owned small businesses. They're determined to close the gap that women entrepreneurs face when seeking out small business loans.

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The Amber Grant

One of five finalists can be a monthly $10,000 Amber Grant winner. The other four will each receive $1,000. Each winner qualifies for the year-end grant of $25,000—for a total of $35,000.

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IFundWomen Universal Grant

IFundWomen has secured more than $8,000,000 in corporate grants for women-owned small businesses. 

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Kapor Capital

Kapor Capital invests in tech-driven companies committed to closing gaps of access, opportunity or outcome for low income and/or communities of color—especially those focused on African-American and Latinx communities.

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Explore. Learn. Grow. Discover what's possible with educational opportunities, tutorials and tools for women in business.

Ascent

Ascent is a free learning platform designed to help women entrepreneurs grow their business. Journeys topics include: Strategic Marketing, Your Business Financial Strategy, Access to Capital and more.

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SCORE for Women Entrepreneurs

SCORE, a nonprofit organization, offers education and mentorship services to help women-owned businesses achieve greater success.

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America's SBDC

As a nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, America's SBDC offers no-cost business consulting and small business resources for women across the US.

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Monica Hummel

"First Citizens has allowed me to share my experiences and growth with other women who aspire to be in banking, or other professional businesses. It makes an impact on them when they see a woman playing a leadership role at an executive level."

Monica Hummel
Area Executive Vice President at First Citizens

Insights

Women-focused insights

Finance

Learn how SBA loans can help women and black-owned businesses

SBA loans present an accessible path for women and black-owned businesses secure funding to reach their full growth potential.
Women and black-owned businesses have traditionally faced unique challenges in accessing capital necessary to grow. SBA loans present an accessible path for these businesses to secure the funds to grow and reach their full potential.
Finance

Getting Started With Gender-Lens Investing

Gender-lens investing can help you support women while capturing great investment returns.
Companies can't simply say they're an "equal opportunity employer" to be gender-lens approved. Rather, they need to walk the talk.
Management

Supporting Women at Your Company Post-Pandemic

Explore ways your company can actively support women in all conditions and economies.
By implementing training and educational programs specifically about gender bias, you can help remove the roadblocks that hold women back.
Industry Expertise

Supporting the Next Generation of Women in STEM 

Making STEM more welcoming for women improves scientific and financial outcomes.
Educating, training and hiring more women and other underrepresented groups in STEM can also lead to better scientific and financial outcomes.
Management

How Women Can Thrive in Male-Dominated Industries

Building community and finding support will help you go from surviving to thriving.
When you're a woman forging her path in any of the male-dominated industries, it helps to share the path with other women beside you on your journey.
Management

Set Your Women's Mentoring Program Up for Success

Explore top tips for how to build a program with women mentoring women within your company.
When women make up more than 50% of a team, the team's collective intelligence tends to rise above average.
Management

Empowered Women Are Stepping Up to Create Opportunities

Empowered women are stepping up to create opportunities and provide funding to women in business.
One of the areas where women still lag behind in representation is on corporate boards.
Management

What We Can All Learn From Women Leaders

Women tend to advocate for goals that reflect their more compassionate and egalitarian values.
Women leaders can bring a valuable perspective to the business community in difficult times.
Management

The Outlook for Women-Owned Businesses

What opportunities can the future hold for women entrepreneurs in 2021?
Women entrepreneurs can tap into their agility and resilience during uncertainty and adapt their business model to the new normal.
Finance

Financing for Women-Owned Businesses

Women-owned businesses have more funding options than you may have originally thought.
A women-owned business in the early stages has more funding options than you may think.

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