By Damian Phillips, The Exponent Telegram
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — Female entrepreneurship is growing across the country, but West Virginia continues to lag behind.
Advocates for female entrepreneurs are working to close the gap by expanding access to resources, strengthening professional networks, providing training and increasing opportunities for investment capital.
“West Virginia is a very challenging state for female entrepreneurs, especially those who are in the tech world. It’s a rural state that presents many systemic challenges,” said Marlene Hackett, who represented West Virginia in the National Security Innovation Network’s Foundry program.
Although the number of woman-owned businesses nationwide has more than doubled in the last two decades, female entrepreneurs still face lower access to capital, limiting the growth of their businesses.
This disparity exists across the country, but is particularly pronounced in West Virginia.
