ChallengeHER with the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Free ChallengeHER Event Connects Women Entrepreneurs with Govt Buyers

Since the U.S. Small Business Administration’s signature Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program was implemented in 2011, women-owned firms have earned more than $100 million in contract awards through the use of set asides.  A recent survey by American Express OPEN reveals that two-thirds of contracting firms owned by women (67 percent) find the WOSB certification useful in seeking contracting opportunities, which is a dramatic increase from 37 percent two years ago.

To help women entrepreneurs take part in the WOSB Federal Contract Program, ChallengeHER is hosting a free event with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide resources and direct access to contracting officials. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 3rd and will feature:

• “Doing Business with USDA” – apanel moderated by Ann Sullivan, WIPP Government Relations
• “USDA Business Success Stories from Women-Owned Small Businesses” – apanel moderated by Janey Baylor, WOSB Advocate at the USDA

ChallengeHER – a joint initiative from American Express OPEN, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) – was launched in early 2013 to promote the WOSB Federal Contract Program.