California Women’s Economic Summit sells out ahead of Sacramento debut

By AI, Created 10:35 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The first California Women’s Economic Summit has sold out before its May 13 debut in Sacramento, reflecting strong statewide demand for more investment in women entrepreneurs. Organizers say the event will center capital, childcare, procurement and policy as California weighs how to grow women-owned businesses and the jobs they create.

Why it matters: - The sold-out summit signals broad interest in treating women entrepreneurs as a core part of California’s growth strategy. - Organizers say women-owned businesses support jobs, family stability, community wealth and regional economic growth. - The event puts capital access, childcare, procurement and small business support at the center of the state’s economic conversation.

What happened: - The first California Women’s Economic Summit is officially sold out. - The summit takes place Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento. - The California Women’s Business Centers Network is hosting the convening. - A welcome reception is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The details: - The summit will bring together women business owners, policymakers, funders, Women’s Business Center leaders, small business advocates and economic development partners from across California. - The theme is “Invest in Her. Invest in California.” - The agenda will focus on access to capital and procurement, public policy and women’s economic leadership, childcare and family-friendly workplaces, women in traditionally male-dominated industries, digital equity and AI, rural and regional economic development, and the creative economy. - Scheduled speakers include Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Darcy Totten of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Twyla Garrett of IMPACT Ready, Maria Cadenas of Ventures, Elmy Bermejo of CalOSBA and Khaim Morton from the California State Treasurer’s Office. - The program also includes leaders from the California Association for Local Economic Development, CAMEO, SBDC, U.S. Bank, Pacific Community Ventures, the Department of General Services, Valley Vision, California for the Arts and others. - The California Women’s Business Centers Network is the state’s only coordinated economic infrastructure dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship. - Since 2019, CA WBC clients have accessed $297.5 million in business financing. - In 2025, the network’s clients accessed $53.2 million in capital. - In 2025, 76% of clients were women, 52% were women of color and 38% were based in rural communities. - In 2025, 65% of capital went to women-of-color-owned businesses. - The network says it returns $79 in local economic impact for every $1 invested. - Since 2019, the network’s 21 Women’s Business Centers have served 54 counties and 88% of rural ZIP codes. - The network says it has trained 64,848 clients, advised 57,246 clients, generated $637.4 million in total gross client sales and created or retained 20,148 jobs. - CA WBC childcare business owner clients have helped increase California’s childcare capacity by 12,013 slots and supported the launch or expansion of 1,419 childcare businesses since 2024.

Between the lines: - The sellout suggests women’s entrepreneurship is drawing attention well beyond the small business ecosystem. - The emphasis on childcare, procurement and digital equity points to structural barriers that can slow business growth even when demand is strong. - The summit also doubles as a visibility play for a statewide network trying to show measurable economic returns.

What’s next: - The Sacramento summit will give speakers and attendees a venue to press for more capital, stronger policy support and broader procurement pathways. - Organizers appear to be positioning the event as a recurring platform for statewide action on women’s economic mobility. - The network will continue using its Women’s Business Centers to provide advising, training, capital access support and business growth services across California.

The bottom line: - California’s first women’s economic summit sold out before it began, underscoring both demand for investment and the scale of the women-led business sector organizers want the state to back.