California women’s business network set to host first statewide economic summit in Sacramento

By AI, Created 5:08 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The California Women’s Business Centers Network will bring policymakers, funders, entrepreneurs and advocates to Sacramento on May 13 for its first California Women’s Economic Summit. The event will highlight capital access, childcare, procurement and women’s wealth-building, backed by network data showing $297.5 million in financing accessed since 2019 and $53.2 million in 2025 alone.

Why it matters: - The California Women’s Business Centers Network is using the summit to push more investment into women-owned businesses across California. - The network says women’s entrepreneurship drives local growth, job creation and broader wealth-building. - The event comes as the network points to measurable economic impact from its 21 Women’s Business Centers across the state.

What happened: - The California Women’s Business Centers Network will host the first California Women’s Economic Summit on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Sacramento. - The summit is sold out. - A welcome reception will take place Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Golden 1 Center. - A press conference is scheduled for 5:00 PM before the reception. - The summit will run from 8:45 AM to 3:45 PM on May 13 at Tsakopoulos Library Galleria. - The event will bring together policymakers, funders, business leaders, advocates for women’s wealth-building, women’s entrepreneurship champions and economic development partners. - Women entrepreneurs, small business advocates, Women’s Business Center leaders and community partners from across California are expected to attend.

The details: - The summit will focus on capital access, procurement, childcare, rural and regional economic development, digital equity, the creative economy and women’s wealth-building. - The welcome reception and press conference will take place at Golden 1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento. - Summit registration and breakfast open at 7:45 AM on May 13. - The summit venue is Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I Street, Sacramento. - Media can expect remarks at the press conference, along with access to women entrepreneurs, small business leaders, statewide economic development and policy leaders, CA WBC Network leadership, summit panels and networking. - Media interested in attending should contact L.A. Plax at laplax@bystagedright.com.

Between the lines: - CA WBC describes itself as the only coordinated statewide economic infrastructure dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship. - Since launching in 2019, CA WBC clients have accessed $297.5 million in business financing. - CA WBC clients have generated $637.4 million in total gross client sales and created or retained 20,148 jobs since 2019. - In 2025, clients accessed $53.2 million in capital. - Women-of-color-owned businesses received 65% of that 2025 capital. - The network says its 21 Women’s Business Centers serve 54 counties and 88% of rural ZIP codes. - The network says it returns $79 in local economic impact for every $1 invested.

What’s next: - The press conference and welcome reception on May 12 will preview the summit’s policy and business agenda. - Summit sessions on May 13 are expected to center on funding, procurement and growth strategies for women-owned firms. - CA WBC says additional economic impact data is available in the summit press release.

The bottom line: - CA WBC is turning its first statewide summit into a data-backed pitch for more capital and policy attention for women entrepreneurs in California.