Equalizing Equity Access for Women CEOs

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July 23, 2008
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NEWS  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY Equalizing Equity Access for Women CEOs Springboard's current venture capital forum targets equity financing for media companies run by female entrepreneurs. We track its process

Inside: This Week in SmallBiz Women own 50% or more of some 10.4 million businesses, about 41% of all privately held companies in the U.S., according to the Center for Women's Business Research. But several sources show that only 3% to 5% of those companies receive venture capital funding. What is being done to get more equity financing to women entrepreneurs? We take a look at Springboard Enterprises' latest venture capital forum. Also on tap: As Starbucks' expansion loses steam, we talk with independent coffee shop owners around the country to learn how they compete with the coffee powerhouse. And we offer a podcast on the ins and outs of cutting back on office space and working virtually. Enjoy. --Nick Leiber SEND FEEDBACK  |  E-MAIL A FRIEND  |  GET RSS  |  NEWSLETTERS

MORE SMALLBIZ NEWS SALES & MARKETING Vying with Starbucks: A Love-Hate Thing As Starbucks' expansion loses steam, independent coffee shops reveal the subtle ways they compete with the coffee powerhouse SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING How to Find the Right VC for Your Company It's critical for entrepreneurs, when targeting venture capital firms, to narrow their search based on key criteria SUCCESS STORIES From Real Estate Developer to Pizza Man Jim McGown wanted a career change. So he bought a pub, learned from the locals, and opened a restaurant that does a few simple things well BOOKS Entrepreneurs Who Get Published Some entrepreneurs find creative writing a fine stress reliever—and maybe even an unexpected income stream BOOKS Business Books for the Beach Classic management texts. Inspiration and self-help. And a primer on—farming? That's what we found when we asked entrepreneurs what they're reading this summer. Below, a few suggestions for your beach bag   SMALLBIZ SLIDE SHOWS Independent Coffee Shops Speak Up As Starbucks scales back, we asked independent coffee shop owners around the country to share the strategies they've used to differentiate their businesses SMALL BIZ Slide Show: Fresh Entrepreneurs Welcome to our ongoing series profiling startups from across the country. We'll be asking for your suggestions and adding profiles on a regular basis   SMALLBIZ PODCASTS Virtual Workplace Options Americans are making big changes due to the fuel price runup. A new survey shows small business owners are changing how they work, with many cutting back on office space and working virtually, says Praful Shah, vice-president for strategy at RingCentral   SMALLBIZ SPECIAL REPORTS Branding Franchising Raising Capital The ABCs of Business Plans Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under   SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTER Getting Started Business Plans Buying/Selling a Business Researching Your Target Market Incorporate a Business -- In 10 Minutes Franchising Request Franchise Information Find Franchises for Sale by Industry Directory of Franchises Franchises That Let You Work at Home Raising Capital Finance & Accounting How to Raise Money for Your Business Loans Funding Your Startup with Credit Cards Legal Legal Advice Choosing a Business Structure Protecting Your Intellectual Property Contracts Operations Build a Better Company -- In One Month How to Buy Smart for Your Business Consulting Keep Your Books in Order Management & HR Hiring Advice A Guide to 401(k) Plans Employment Guide Consulting Sales, Marketing, & Customer Service How to Jump-Start Your Sales Sales & Marketing 101 Research Crafting an Effective Marketing Plan Doing Business Online How to Start an Online Business 21 Ways to Boost Your Online Presence Internet & E-Commerce Technology Home-Based Businesses Legally Establishing a Home-Based Business Financing Tips 10 Ways to Grow Home-Based Business Basics Technology Internet & E-Commerce Research Sales & Marketing Hardware, Software & More Material provided by: AllBusiness.com | Buyer Zone | Entrepreneur.com | Franchise Solutions | Salary.com | Smart Online SMALLBIZ  BUSINESS DIRECTORY Need Help? Find experts in your area in: Accounting Advertising and Marketing E-Mail Marketing Legal Services Public Relations Search Engine Marketing Web Design Web Marketing Web Hosting  BW MALL   SPONSORED LINKS No Hassle Small Business Loans  Instant Business Loan Quotes Up To $150K! Must Process $3K Per Month In Visa/MC. No Startups. HR Management Professional Certificates  Human Resources Certification from Cornell University, online via eCornell. Request info today! Eliminate HR Management Headaches with TriNet  Streamline Your HR organization. Download FREE Info Kit! HR Can Be Affordable, Scalable & Convenient Financial Management Resource Center  Register For SAP’s FM Resource Center. Optimize Working Capital Accelerate Cash Flow Improve Returns. Using On-line Dating as a Business Model  Get linked, create projects based on professional interests and skills. Buy a link now! This newsletter is a FREE service provided by BusinessWeek.com. To sign up for other newsletters, cancel delivery, change delivery options or change your e-mail address, please go to our Newsletter Preferences page. If you need other assistance, please contact Customer Service or contact: Wanda Cooper BusinessWeek Customer Rights Communications Data Services 1995 G Avenue Red Oak, IA 51566 Phone: 1-800-635-1200 View our corporate privacy policy here. To learn more about how BusinessWeek.com applies this policy, you can contact our Marketing Department. Copyright 2008, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Notice

Today's Tip Operations & Technology We all live and work in complex systems and if we aren't already doing it, we need to think in systems. A system (or organization) is a physical or social entity made up of parts that interrelate with, and mutually depend on, one another to function... --Mallary Tytel, President and Founder, Healthy Workplaces READ MORE > ADVERTISEMENT Get Options Trading Ideas for Major Currencies Get currency options trading ideas with Trading Central's free FX Options Trade Alert. See opportunities as they arise, based on technical analysis.   FIND SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES Getting Started Want to get your business off the ground? Here are the steps you need to take before you take the plunge   Find More Small Business Resources to help you build and strengthen your business. Pick a category below: • More Small Business Resources • Design Resources • Financing • Human Resources & Benefits • Legal & Insurance • Marketing & Sales • Office Operations • Tech & Telecom SMART ANSWERS KAREN E. KLEIN >> Learning to Delegate to Employees The first person you have to convince that your small business can run without you is you SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO KAREN >   VIEWPOINT CARMINE GALLO >> How to Boost Your Energy on the Job The best leaders are often known to have buoyant energy levels that make them excellent speakers. Here's how to follow in their footsteps MORE CARMINE GALLO COLUMNS >>   Advertisement   What's Your Problem? We all have workplace problems. Share with us, and your fellow readers, the hurdles you've faced—and how you've tried to clear them     IN YOUR FACE: FOLLOW THE OIL MONEY Reader Hugo van Randwyck Writes: "Time to talk about full US energy independence. The painful way to get there is the existing one: through supply and demand, and U.S. purchasing power going abroad." Tell Us: Can the U.S. Expand Oil Reserves While Reducing Demand? >   BusinessWeek has teamed with J.D. Power and Associates to let you compare customer satisfaction and product quality ratings. Automobiles Cable/Satellite Providers Consumer Electronics Copiers Digital Cameras TVs Insurance Auto Insurance Collision Repair (Auto Insurance) Home Insurance Financial Services Full-Service Investing Mortage Service Online Trading Telephone/Wireless All-Distance Phone Providers Wireless Service Internet Service Providers   Advertisement   VIDEO VIEWS >> Springboard's Venture Capital Bootcamp Women media business owners take part in a one-day bootcamp to learn how to pitch their companies to venture capitalists, part of their preparation for a VC forum co-hosted by Springboard     SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESSWEEK SmallBiz Print Table of Contents Get SmallBiz Free With Your Subscription To BusinessWeek Subscribe Now Customer Service SMALLBIZ FREE ONLINE COURSES Instructor-led classes on the latest topics for registered BusinessWeek users. Sign up now • The Wireless Mobile Office • Designing and Equipping Your Home Office • Setting Up a Wireless Home Network • Start-Up Basics for the First-Time Entrepreneur • Writing a High-Impact Business Plan • Raising Capital for Your Small Business