WE BOS Week 2019, focused on providing women entrepreneurs with resources, access to capital, and networking

BOSTON - Friday, October 4, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement today announced the fifth annual Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS) Week, a week-long series of free events beginning on Friday, October 4 to support and promote women entrepreneurs throughout the City of Boston. Designed to offer networking opportunities, business coaching, educational workshops, and guidance on funding resources throughout the week; industry leaders, business groups, and policy makers have developed events around the theme of "Build, Overcome, and Strengthen" to help build pathways of opportunity for Boston women entrepreneurs and business owners.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again: when women succeed, we all succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "This week focuses on making sure women entrepreneurs have access to resources the City offers to help launch and grow their businesses, while lifting up the robust support ecosystem Boston has to offer. By convening free networking, coaching, and funding opportunities, we will foster an even stronger movement to support and invest in women-owned businesses and economic equity in Boston. I am extremely proud of the work our team and partners have accomplished to assist more than 5,000 women entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses."

Hosted in partnership with organizations throughout Boston and across the entrepreneurship ecosystem, WE BOS Week helps women entrepreneurs build their networks and learn new skills to scale and grow their businesses. Over the past years, more than 5,000 women have participated in nearly 100 WE BOS Week events in partnership with dozens of organizations. The 2019 WE BOS Week will feature over 40 free events throughout the City of Boston, including 100 hours of programming with accelerators, investors, and business coaches.

"Something we really value at Boston Women's Market is building a community between all of our entrepreneurs," said Cara Loffredo, Directing Organizer of Boston Women's Market, a network of women entrepreneurs and artists in the New England area. "Participating in WE BOS Week helps our makers create valuable connections within Boston's strong entrepreneurship ecosystem, learn about funding and scaling opportunities, and share their expertise with the next generation of entrepreneurs." 

"Boston is one of the top cities in the nation to foster women's entrepreneurship, and we are proud to work together to provide all the resources and guidance women entrepreneurs in Boston need to start and grow their businesses," said Natalia Urtubey, Director of Small Business, Mayor's Office of Economic Development. "During WE BOS Week we not only help entrepreneurs to start or strategically grow their businesses, but we are also able to utilize and highlight existing women-owned Boston businesses to aid them in growing and reaching a broader audience."

WE BOS Week events are hosted throughout Boston, from Downtown to Upham's Corner, and include workshops for undergraduate entrepreneurs, pitch competitions, branding best practices, and fundraising. Once again, the City of Boston will host a  WE BOS Open House and Resource Fair on Wednesday, October 9 at Boston City Hall to highlight all of the business resources available to women entrepreneurs from City of Boston departments and partners.

"Boston has an incredible support system for women in business, and this week allows us to strengthen our partnerships and provide resources for women at every stage of their business or careers," said Tania Del Rio, Director of the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement. "Beyond access to key business resources, like funding or technical assistance, the WE BOS program builds a sense of camaraderie among the women who are working to keep our city's economy strong and vibrant."

For a complete list of events happening throughout WE BOS Week, visit boston.gov/we-bos or follow @BostonWomen, @EconDevBoston, and #WEBOSWeek on Twitter. 

About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development

The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their  website.

About the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement

The Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement creates specific programming and opportunities that support three priority areas: economic equity, safety, and empowerment and representation. Some of the office's most recent work includes: research on paid parental leave and childcare affordability; a multi-pronged approach to closing the gender pay gaps; reducing the demand for commercial sexual exploitation; and creating specific programming for women entrepreneurs. Learn more on their website.

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