Prosper Women Entrepreneurs

What is Prosper Women Entrepreneurs?

Prosper Women Entrepreneurs (PWE) is a for-profit organization established with a keen focus on advancing women-led companies. They are an investment entity that is dedicated to increasing the number of women entrepreneurs that have access to growth capital and aims to boost the representation of women investing in early-stage capital markets.

PWE was born out of a realization of the disproportionately low ranking of St. Louis in terms of the number of female-led entrepreneurial businesses, despite the presence of major corporations in the region.

This insight, derived from studies by the Kauffman Foundation and American Express OPEN, prompted community leaders in the spring of 2012 to initiate a change. PWE operates under the belief that empowering 50% of the population to achieve their economic potential can have significant implications for a community's future. Through its Startup Accelerator, PWE supports the development of women-led startups by providing necessary resources and mentorship.

Their commitment to bridging the entrepreneur gender gap is also reflected in their broad dissemination of information through various channels, including reports like 'Overcoming the Gender Gap: Women Entrepreneurs as Economic Drivers' and 'State of Women-Owned Business Report'. Through their portfolio, blogs, and case studies, PWE emphasizes the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship and the transformative power of female-led startups across industries.

They highlight stories of success, pathways to innovation, and challenges overcome by women entrepreneurs. PWE looks to encourage a new generation of female leaders who are capable of redefining success in the startup ecosystem.