Top 15 Cities for Female Entrepreneurs in North America in 2025
As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, certain cities are proving to be particularly supportive for female entrepreneurs. Based on recent data and trends from 2024, here are the Top 15 Cities for Female Entrepreneurs in North America for 2025, highlighting the opportunities, resources, and business ecosystems available for women looking to start or grow their businesses.
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1. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
Female-Owned Businesses: It leads the nation in female-owned small businesses per capita, as well as those generating over a million dollars in revenue.
Access to Talent: New York boasts a diverse ecosystem with high access to global talent, numerous co-working spaces, and entrepreneurial support organizations.
Networking Opportunities: The city's variety in industries allows female entrepreneurs to connect with potential partners and investors easily.
Large Enterprises: It has the highest number of female-owned businesses employing over 500 individuals.
Vibrant Ecosystem: The density of women-owned firms creates a fertile environment for networking and growth.
2. Seattle, Washington
Female Entrepreneurs: 43.8% of self-employed business owners in Seattle are women, supported by a small gender earnings gap of around 6%.
Tech-Centric Landscape: With a reputation as a tech hub, Seattle's educated workforce is highly skilled and ready to support innovative ideas.
Supportive Resources: Although the cost of living is high, various resources exist for women entrepreneurs, from accelerators to mentorship programs.
Innovation and Equity: The city promotes an equitable environment for women to thrive.
Networking: Events and organizations dedicated to women are prevalent in Seattle.
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3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Female-Owned Business Growth: Los Angeles ranks highly for female-owned businesses per capita and has a notable presence of women entrepreneurship in various sectors, especially in entertainment and tech.
Revenue Generation: It holds the second-highest position for businesses with annual revenues exceeding a million dollars.
Vibrant Startup Ecosystem: The area is known for its start-up culture that encourages women-led initiatives.
Networking & Resources: Various organizations exist to help female entrepreneurs, offering mentorship and funds.
Creative Industry Hub: As a global creative hub, LA fosters diverse business opportunities.
4. Miami, Florida
Women Entrepreneurs: Approximately 16.1% of women are self-employed in Miami, drawn by a vibrant and diverse market.
Earnings Potential: The median salary for self-employed women is relatively decent at $32,924.
Diverse Business Model: The city's varied corporate landscape provides numerous opportunities for female business owners.
Growth Trends: Florida has the highest percentage of women-owned businesses, indicating robust entrepreneurial growth.
Supportive Environment: Miami is increasingly seen as a beacon of opportunity for female entrepreneurship.
5. Boston, Massachusetts
Start-Up Concentration: Boston has a significant concentration of startups founded by women, with 29% of its startups being female-led.
Support Initiatives: The Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE-BOS) initiative focuses on networking and skills-sharing.
Investment Attraction: Female-founded startups receive high average capital investments per deal in this innovation hub.
Educational Resources: Home to many prestigious universities, Boston provides access to a talented workforce.
Industry Variety: Its economy thrives on education, healthcare, and technology.
6. Chicago, Illinois
Female Entrepreneurs: Chicago has one of the highest percentages of female-owned startups globally at 30%.
Strong Support Network: Numerous nonprofits in Chicago support women in business, providing resources for mentoring and loans.
Established Hub: The city is a significant business hub in North America.
Ongoing Growth: Rapid growth in women-owned enterprises makes Chicago a prominent location for female entrepreneurship.
Networking: Various events cater to women entrepreneurs looking to connect with like-minded individuals.
7. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Self-Employment Rates: Approximately 15.5% of women are self-employed, with good earning potential.
Supportive Community: This coastal city fosters a strong drive among women to achieve success in self-employment.
Business Growth: Fort Lauderdale contributes to Florida's leading position in the percentage of women-owned businesses.
Networking Opportunities: Local organizations provide resources and networks for emerging entrepreneurs.
Coastal Benefits: Access to a diverse market and resources for business development.
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8. Washington, D.C.
Policy Influence: A major hub for policy-related businesses, including consulting and technology, offering numerous opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Government Connections: Being close to the government can provide unique opportunities for contracts and networking.
Education Access: Washington, D.C. is home to renowned business schools, enhancing skills and knowledge in the community.
Wealth Dynamics: The significant number of high-net-worth individuals presents funding opportunities.
Business Growth: The city has seen a steady increase in women-owned businesses in recent years.
9. Phoenix/Scottsdale/Gilbert, Arizona
Supportive Environment: Arizona is notably friendly towards female entrepreneurs, with a growing network of support.
Thriving Conditions: The communities in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Gilbert are known for facilitating startup growth.
Emerging Hub: A valuable area where women can find ample resources and community support.
Top Rankings: Consistently ranks as a top location for entrepreneurs among various studies.
Positive Trends: The business ecosystem continues to attract women seeking entrepreneurial ventures.
10. Portland, Oregon
Thriving Startups: Oregon is recognized as a top state for female entrepreneurs, emphasizing growth in women-owned businesses.
Creative Environment: Known for its innovation and artistic atmosphere, providing unique opportunities for creativity-driven businesses.
Supportive Network: Prominent organizations exist to support female entrepreneurs and foster networking.
Business Ecosystem: Portland is evolving into a significant business center on the West Coast.
Continued Growth: A steady rise in the number of women founded businesses indicates a positive trend.
11. Durham, North Carolina
Economic Opportunities: Part of the Research Triangle, offering strong job growth and expansion potential for women-owned businesses.
Affordable Living: Low housing costs make it an attractive spot for startups and entrepreneurs.
Community Support: High percentage of self-employed women in a nurturing environment.
Access to Resources: Various programs exist to guide women on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Growing Ecosystem: Resource availability points to an emerging hub for business.
12. Honolulu, Hawaii
Female Business Ownership: Approximately 47% of business owners in urban Honolulu are female, showcasing a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Educational Resources: Access to business training and educational opportunities dedicated to women's empowerment.
Networking Possibilities: Expanding networks among female professionals in various sectors.
Supportive Organizations: Programs such as the Mink Center for Business & Leadership offer substantial support.
Growth Potential: Hawaii is increasingly recognized for its percentage of women-owned firms.
13. Toronto, Canada
Global Ranking: Toronto consistently ranks among the best cities worldwide for female entrepreneurs due to its robust economy.
Ecosystem Improvements: Recognized by Dell as having the potential to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women.
Business Hub: As Canada’s largest city, it hosts multiple industry sectors with opportunities for growth.
Diversity: Toronto's multicultural makeup supports a wealth of entrepreneurial ventures.
Networking Opportunities: Various events and resources are dedicated to women entrepreneurs.
14. San Francisco/Bay Area, California
Tech Innovation: Known for being at the forefront of tech, the Bay Area is increasingly welcoming to female entrepreneurs in the tech sector.
Funding Opportunities: Significant venture capital presence, providing ample opportunities for raising funds.
Success Stories: Home to successful female-led startups, with notable figures leading the way.
Networking Events: An array of events connect women entrepreneurs to investors and mentors.
Global Reach: A thriving environment to develop global business initiatives.
15. Greensboro, North Carolina
Remarkable Growth: Over 138% growth in women-owned businesses in the last 20 years highlights an encouraging trend.
Support Networks: Community programs like the Minority/Women Business Enterprise offer resources to facilitate business.
Thriving Industries: Prominent industries such as healthcare and technology provide rich opportunities for growth.
Community Engagement: The strong community spirit bolsters networking and collaboration.
Emerging Sector Growth: Greensboro is increasingly recognized for its supportive environment for female entrepreneurs.
Additional Data Points to Consider
- Nationally, 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women, with a remarkable 114% growth in women-owned businesses over the last two decades.
- Women-run startups currently receive only about 1.9% of the total venture capital funding, illustrating ongoing disparities in funding.
- Collectively, women-owned businesses generate approximately $2.7 trillion in revenue, showcasing their significant impact on the economy.
- An increasing number of female entrepreneurs are entering franchise ownership, with around 39% of new franchise locations established by women.
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FAQ
Q: Which city leads in the number of female-owned businesses in 2024?
A: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA has the highest number of female-owned small businesses per 10,000 residents. Learn more about female entrepreneurship in New York.
Q: What percentage of self-employed women are found in Seattle?
A: In Seattle, Washington, approximately 43.8% of self-employed business owners are women. Discover more about female entrepreneurs in Seattle.
Q: Which city is noted for its strong concentration of female-founded startups?
A: Boston, Massachusetts boasts a strong concentration of startups founded by women, with 29% female founders. Find out more about Boston's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Q: What resource does Chicago provide for women entrepreneurs?
A: Chicago, Illinois has many nonprofits and support organizations that help women in business. Explore the resources available in Chicago.
Q: How does Miami's self-employment rate for women compare?
A: In Miami, Florida, the self-employment rate for women is 16.1%, offering a decent median salary for self-employed women. Learn more about Miami's business landscape.
Q: What distinguishes the Washington, D.C. market for female entrepreneurs?
A: Washington, D.C. serves as a major hub for policy, consulting, and technology, providing ample opportunities for female entrepreneurs to collaborate and influence change. Read more about opportunities in D.C..
Q: How many women-owned businesses are projected to grow in Florida?
A: Florida leads with the highest percentage of women-owned businesses, with areas like Fort Lauderdale showing significant business drive for female entrepreneurs. Find details about Florida's entrepreneurial growth.
Q: What are the characteristics of the Toronto entrepreneurial scene?
A: Toronto, Canada, is consistently ranked among the top global cities for female entrepreneurs and recognized for its potential to improve the ecosystem for women in business. Discover more about Toronto's business opportunities.
Q: What innovation aspects are highlighted in San Francisco for women entrepreneurs?
A: The San Francisco/Bay Area is known for its focus on technology and innovation, along with a growing number of women starting companies in the tech sector. Explore the entrepreneurial landscape in San Francisco.
Q: What unique challenge do women's startups face in funding?
A: Startups with all-women teams receive only about 1.9% of venture capital funding available, indicating a significant funding disparity. Learn more about funding trends for women entrepreneurs.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
