On Friday, November 14, 2025, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) hosted its annual summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, highlighting the growing influence and achievements of female entrepreneurs across the United States and around the globe. Held in the Delegates Dining Room overlooking the East River, the event brought together hundreds of female founders, corporate executives, policymakers, philanthropists, and investors for a full day of programming dedicated to empowering women in business.
The summit, now in its twelfth year, has evolved into a key platform for promoting women’s leadership in entrepreneurship. WEDO, the nonprofit behind the event, champions initiatives that aim to increase access to capital, mentorship, and educational resources for women around the world. The 2025 summit was structured around high-level networking events, mentorship-focused breakout sessions, and the prestigious Pioneer Award luncheon, which honored women whose innovations and leadership have made a significant impact in their industries and communities.
The atmosphere was one of celebration and purpose. Attendees ranged from early-stage entrepreneurs seeking to build their first ventures to seasoned executives guiding global companies. The event served as a testament to how far women have come in the business world—but also as a reminder of the structural challenges they continue to face. While women-owned businesses are growing faster than ever before, they still receive only a fraction of venture capital funding and often struggle to access the same networks and growth opportunities as their male counterparts.
Throughout the day, keynote speakers emphasized the urgent need to close gender gaps in entrepreneurship, not just in terms of representation but also in investment and leadership roles. Several panels explored the barriers that female founders face and how targeted mentorship, public policy changes, and ecosystem-level support can drive measurable progress. The importance of visibility and storytelling also emerged as a recurring theme. By spotlighting successful women across industries—from tech to healthcare to finance—the summit aimed to create role models who can inspire and mentor the next generation.
One of the summit’s distinguishing features was its strong focus on mentorship. WEDO organizers designed interactive sessions where founders could connect one-on-one with seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and business coaches. These exchanges were more than symbolic; they reflected a growing understanding within the entrepreneurial ecosystem that mentorship is a critical factor in long-term success. Many women at the summit emphasized that having a mentor who understands the unique pressures female founders face—such as balancing business growth with societal expectations or overcoming implicit bias—was key to their resilience and business acumen.
Another highlight of the summit was the recognition of social impact as an integral part of entrepreneurship. Many of the honorees and speakers linked their business success to mission-driven leadership, emphasizing sustainability, community development, and economic equity as business imperatives. This alignment of profit with purpose reflected a broader trend in the entrepreneurial world, where women-led ventures are increasingly seen as drivers of not just economic growth, but also positive social change.
The setting at the United Nations lent a global gravitas to the proceedings. WEDO has consistently framed women’s entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for achieving sustainable development goals, including poverty alleviation, gender equality, and inclusive economic participation. Hosting the event at such a symbolic international venue underscored the idea that economic empowerment for women is a global imperative with political, social, and economic implications.
While the event primarily spotlighted U.S. entrepreneurs, the summit’s reach extended far beyond American borders. WEDO operates in more than 140 countries and on over 100 university campuses, forming a global network of women who are actively working to reshape the entrepreneurial landscape. The 2025 summit served as a convergence point for these efforts, reinforcing the idea that women’s leadership in business is not an isolated trend but part of a broader, interconnected movement.
The day concluded with a strong call to action. Speakers urged attendees not just to celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs but to commit to tangible actions—whether investing in women-led ventures, mentoring a first-time founder, or advocating for policy changes that reduce systemic barriers. The message was clear: economic equity for women is within reach, but it requires sustained effort, collective will, and inclusive leadership.
The 2025 Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Summit ultimately highlighted the growing momentum behind women-led businesses and the powerful role they play in shaping a more inclusive and innovative global economy. It was a reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about business success—it’s about changing lives, transforming communities, and driving forward a vision of leadership that reflects the diverse world we live in.
