2015 IWEC Awards

The International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge was established in Barcelona in 2007, with the goal of connecting small & mid-size women business owners globally - those who are already in the global marketplace & want to expand, or are ripe to get into the market and learn from other women leaders. Also the goal is to “pay it forward” with the IWEC awardees emphasizing their own CSR programs be in mentoring, board participation, community outreach and support, etc. The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Chambers of Commerce in India/FLO and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce originated this initiative and were quickly joined by The US State Department and Cape Chamber of Commerce. Each year a new country is added to the roster and currently we have representation from: Barcelona, NYC/US, India, Sweden, Peru, Central Asian countries, Turkey,South Africa and other African countries. In addition, four women’s business associations are engaged with IWEC and also nominate one awardee: Women Presidents Organization, WeConnect International, Taiwan Women’s Entrepreneurs Association and United Succes. The location of 2015 Annual IWEC Conference will be Istanbul, Turkey Nov. 15-18th.

Three awardees are chosen by the individual chambers and, along with chamber executives, they are invited to participate in the annual conference to receive their award and to network and share best practices. Conferences to date have been held in Barcelona, NYC, New Delhi India, Cape Town South Africa, Lima Peru and Stockholm Sweden.

Why should you apply? If chosen, you have the opportunity to:

*gain further international recognition for your business
*network with potential strategic partners and clients
*share and learn from best practices to help your business grow globally
*share your corporate responsibility/mentorship programs and learn of others from awardees
*connect with a network of other awardees/chambers and be a part of the IWEC family

The Awards Criteria:

Must be a woman-owned, for-profit business and must be actively involved in importing or exporting goods or services or be a successful company ready to begin global business

Business must be 51% owned by a woman (or if handed down through a family, a woman must be the president, CEO or managing director for at least three years) actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business

Business must be a for-profit entity in services or manufacturing (excluding performing arts)

Business must be in existence at least three years

Business must have a minimum annual revenue equivalent to US $2.0 million

Agrees to be involved with IWEC as a past awardee for two years (supporting, attending conferences, etc.)

Company must be run ethically that express our values and standards that guide our conduct – must exhibit a commitment to honesty, fairness, objectivity and responsibility.

Must be able to attend the annual conference

I hereby acknowledge and affirm that I and my company meet the above criteria.

______________________________________________________________________

Print Name Signature

2015 IWEC Universal Awards Application


Deadline for submission: April 30, 2015

Contact information

Name:_________________________________________________________________

Title:___________________________________________________________________

Company name:__________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP/PIN/Postal Code_______________________________Country________

Phone:_____________________________Fax:_________________________________

Email address:___________________________________________________________

Website:________________________________________________________________

Chamber affiliation: _______________________________________________________

Business information

% of ownership by woman:__________________(must be 51% or more)

Years in business:_________________________(must be a minimum of 3 years)

Annual revenue:___________________________(must be a minimum of $2.0mill in US dollars)

Industry:_________________________________(not including non-profits or performing arts)

How many employees do you have?___________(total number of employees throughout your company)

Please attach document to answer the following questions in 500 words or less per question (additional supporting documents are welcome):

Describe the story of you and your business:

Why should you be considered for this award?

What is your Business Plan for the next 3-5 years?

Where would you like to further import or export your goods or services and why are you choosing this/these markets?

Have you or are you involved in a CSR initiative? If so, please describe.

What is your philosophy on corporate social responsibility and how does your company you support it? Please describe.


Mail to: 

Nancy Ploeger, MCC, 1375 Broadway/3rd floor, NY, NY 10018
Or email to np@manhattancc.org or fax to 212-473-7875

Crain's NY Business: Startup scene lures female investors

More women angels bet on new ventures.

By Eilene Zimmerman
May 6, 2014 12:01 A.M.

Ennis

Before Anastasia Leng left Google in August 2012 to co-found the startup Hatch, she told female colleagues of her plans. "They said, 'When you're ready, come to me for investment,' " said Ms. Leng.

They became key supporters. Female investors contributed $325,000 of the $1 million seed round for Hatch, a Manhattan-based marketplace where users can redesign jewelry, home decor and accessories posted on the site and have artisans around the world custom-make it. Hatch launched to the public last fall.

New York is fast becoming an epicenter of a trend that is helping entrepreneurs like Ms. Leng: Increasingly familiar with the world of startup funding through jobs at tech firms or their own businesses, more women are diving into angel investing, where they give startups a cash infusion in exchange for equity.

According to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire, about 18% of angel investors in the U.S. in 2013 were women, down slightly from a high of 21.8% in 2012 but still significantly above the 12.2% the center tallied in 2011.

Female angel investors on New York City's startup scene say they are no longer an anomaly.

"I used to get asked when I walked into a pitch room if I was lost," said Angela Lee, founder of 37 Angels, a Manhattan-based investment network for women in Manhattan where half the members are entrepreneurs. "That doesn't happen anymore."

Given that women entrepreneurs in New York have been unusually successful at fundraising, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that some want to put what they've learned to work as angels.

According to 2013 data from research firm CB Insights, the median funding received by all-female teams in New York—who make up 3% of local startup teams—was $4.5 million, compared with $2.2 million for all-women teams across the nation and $2.3 million for local all-male teams.

Meanwhile, more women-owned firms are going after angel financing. According to the Center for Venture Research, female entrepreneurs made up 16% of founders seeking angel capital in 2013, up from 12% in 2011.

"Women are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they seek funding—no question about it," said Loretta McCarthy, a managing partner at Manhattan-based Golden Seeds, an early-stage investment firm, where 80% of the members are women. Golden Seeds, which invests only in companies with at least one woman at the helm, has backed 61 firms in the decade since it started—10 in New York City.

Of course, the big test for angels who back women-run firms will be their success in picking startups that raise more capital and make lucrative exits. Female entrepreneurs have had a hard time winning venture funding, and some may need coaching to secure it.

NAWBO Mentoring Program

Is your business reaching its potential? Applications now available for NAWBO-NYC’s Mentoring Program to help grow your business to new heights

NAWBO-NYC’s Mentoring Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s a chance to grow your revenues, improve your skills, and take your company to the next level.

Applications are now available at http://www.nawbonyc.org for Mentees and are due no later than June 1, 2014.

This unique Program is built on a one-on-one relationship between an experienced, successful woman entrepreneur and a business owner who needs guidance to grow her company or take it in new directions.

This isn’t the usual classroom setting, but a dedicated and intensive process between a Mentor and a Mentee that is focused exclusively on areas in which the Mentee needs advice: marketing, sales, strategy, finances, operations, managing growth or public speaking. Mentors include business experts with clients in the Fortune 500, business owners with revenues of $1 million and up, and authors of books on building a successful business.

Qualified Mentees must:

* Own their own business
* Be in business full-time for at least two years

NAWBO-NYC is New York’s premier association for women business owners.

Congratulations to the 2013 IWEC Awardees from around the world who celebrated in Lima Peru Nov. 10-13th!

MCC recently participated in the IWEC awards event held in Lima, Peru, November 10-13th. WE congratulate US awardees Kristina Bouweiri, Reston Limousines www.restonlimo.com, Nadine Cino, Tyga-Box Systems, Inc. www.tygabox.com and Wendy Shen, FLOMO/Nygala Corp. www.flomousa.com.

Please read the following for more info:

The Lima Chamber of Commerce in Peru welcomed over 100 women entrepreneurs from Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America to celebrate the Seventh Annual International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge Conference (IWEC) November 10-13th. This was a major geographical expansion for IWEC’s since it is the first time the conference will be held in South America. The conference recognized successful women entrepreneurs from numerous industries including computer software, fashion, manufacturing, electronics, agribusiness, health services, skin care, real estate, research technology, shipping and freight forwarding, export of mineral products, education and many other enterprises. The firms lead by these women represented a turnover of more than one billion dollars and employ over 20,000 employees. IESE Business School presented seminars on leadership and on how to “Build Successful, Respected Companies,” the theme of the Conference. Business owners participated not only in the seminars but also in structured networking sessions with local Lima Chamber of Commerce members. All participants are interested in networking and are looking for business opportunities in Peru, which has one of the fastest growing economies in South America.

IWEC’s mission is to present a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, connectivity and to promote dialogue among women entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout the world. Through these educational dialogs, women business owners can further develop their companies, raise their profiles in mentoring younger employees or other entrepreneurs and expand their markets.

This year at the Conference, 26 women were honored from Canada, Colombia, Bolivia, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, the United States, Peru, Turkey, The Philippines, The Netherlands, Bangladesh and India.

During the conference attendees explored subjects such as: global economic challenges; Women’s leadership in growing businesses, mentoring and numerous other topics related to leadership and management of successful businesses.

IWEC was initiated in 2006 by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce in association with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization FICCI/FLO and joined by the U.S. Department of State and the Cape Chamber of Commerce. The organization has held annual conferences in Barcelona, New York, New Delhi and Cape Town, South Africa and next year, the Conference will be held in Stockholm Sweden and will be hosted by Chamber Trade Sweden comprised of 8 Swedish Chambers.

More information on the conference and *awardees can be found at:

http://www.camaralima.org.pe/iwec/ & http://tinyurl.com/nkahbf4

 http://www.iwecawards.com/common/News/articles/detail.cfm?QID=9826&classification=news&clientID=11090&topicID=0

Wells Fargo commits to lending $55 billion to women-owned businesses by the year 2020

SAN FRANCISCO, March 8, 2013 – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), America’s No. 1 small business lender1 and a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses, today announced a commitment to lend a cumulative total of $55 billion to women-owned businesses in the U.S. by the year 2020, updating its lending commitment first established in 1995. The announcement will be made by Lisa Stevens, Wells Fargo lead executive for Small Business and West Coast Regional Banking president, at the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) 22nd Annual Latina History Day conference in Los Angeles.

March is National Women’s History Month, and Wells Fargo has a rich history of working with women business owners and providing them access to capital and financial services. Since introducing the women’s lending commitment 18 years ago, Wells Fargo has provided more than $38 billion in capital to women business owners, a group that grew in size by more than 20 percent from 2002 to 2007, according to the latest Census data. Today, approximately 30 percent of businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, according to the National Women’s Business Council.

“Women-owned businesses are among America’s fastest growing segments, and we are honored to support their role in shaping the future of small business,” said Stevens. “As a leader in lending to women, Wells Fargo is dedicated to helping women succeed financially — in business and personally.” 

Wells Fargo’s first lending commitment in 1995 established a goal to lend $1 billion to women business owners over three years. Fueled by the continued growth of women business owners, the goal was increased three times, most recently in 2003.


In addition to the lending goal, Wells Fargo supports numerous outreach efforts to build relationships with women business owners and help them to succeed financially. Wells Fargo is a proud supporter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Women Presidents’ Organization, as well as several other organizations focused on the education, growth and advancement of women business owners. Wells Fargo provides the full array of financial products and services to satisfy all of the financial needs of women-owned businesses, such as banking, business loans and lines of credit, credit cards, payroll, merchant services, insurance, retirement planning, and online resources.

For an example of how Wells Fargo helped meet the financing needs of one woman-owned small business, see the story of GLAMGLOW, a Los Angeles-based consumer products company owned by Shannon Dellimore.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2012 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. 

About Wells Fargo Small Business 

Wells Fargo has loaned more money to small businesses in the United States than any other bank for 10 years running (based on 2002-2011 Community Reinvestment Act government data) and is a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses. Wells Fargo provides a wide range of financial solutions to meet the needs of business owners nationwide. Through the Wells Fargo Business Insight Resource Center, business owners can access an informative selection of videos and articles featuring expert advice and best practices. For more information visit wellsfargo.com/biz or call the National Business Banking Center at 1-800-CALL-WELLS.

# # #

¹ Based on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) government data (2002-2011).

MCC Women Honored!

A number of MCC women were honored at the first annual WCBS 880 Newsradio Women Achievement Awards event today held at City Winery. MCC President Nancy Ploeger and MCC Board Member Deborah Koenigsberger of Hearts of Gold were honored. MCC member Mindy Tarlow of Center for Employment Opportunities was honored as well!

Deborah Koenigsberger of Hearts of Gold, Pat Carroll of WCBS and Nancy Ploeger of MCC



Congratulations to all of today's winners and thank you to WCBS 880 Newsradio for a great event!

6th IWEC CONFERENCE, The Global Economy and Successful Entrepreneurship: 28-31 OCTOBER in BARCELONA

6 years, 19 countries, covering all of the 6 continents, 100 Women Entrepreneurs, representing multi-million-dollar businesses, recognised for their contribution to the Economy and Society as a whole.

The second and third and final day of the IWEC conference was held at Casa Llotja de Mar in Barcelona with another powerful day of presentations. 

Mr. Joan Ma Nin, la Caixa CEO and Patron sponsor of IWEC presented Finance in a Changing Environment whilst the President of Garrigues, Mr Antonio Garrigues Walker addressed the delegates on The Corporate World, its values and the role of women. A presentation by Margaret Schetler from the US State Department was shown. Ms Schetler is the State Department Economic and Entrepreneurship Advisor.

The official IWEC mentoring programme via the IWEC Advisory Council was launched to awardees and last awardees and South Africa is the pilot for the project. As an educational Foundation, the mission of IWEC is to develop a global business network for successful women in business, to help them gain and expand access to international markets.

Prepared for IWEC Advisory Council, this business development initiative will act as an international vehicle to meaningfully educate a future pool of awardees with global Chambers of Commerce as the supporting institutions. The programme will be adopted as the official IWEC Social Responsibility Initiative and co-ordinated by past awardees. The advisory council mentee programme will be known as Dreams beyond Borders where 1 mentee per country will be supported through a non-executive board of past awardees for the period of 1 year, with meaningful intervention by opening doors to strategic alliances and connections to fast track productivity, whilst guiding and opening doors of opportunity.

Anni Bodington, IWEC Project Co-ordinator and Cape Chamber Council Member says; “The growth of IWEC over 5 years has been exponential. The vision of the founders to create a network of second stage entrepreneurs has proven to be successful with representation from 6 continents, awardees using the platform to conclude contracts internationally, education at the highest level being offered to IWEC awardees by IESE Business School, who's Open Programs are ranked by Financial Times as first in the world and a Foundation being formed with a Board of Directors ensuring the longevity of IWEC. This has taken commitment, focus and an unwavering belief in the mission and vision of IWEC.” Anni is also a Past Awardee and the South African representation on Steering committee.

Michelle Korevaar, Founder of SPICE4LIFE, a premier South African Online magazine, is a 2012 IWEC Mentee and given the opportunity to be a Media Sponsor. Ms. Korevaar addressed the audience on the evolving marketplace and the relevance of embracing online and social media into marketing trends.

What can only be described as one of the most prestigious Gala finale’s in the History of IWEC, the Award ceremony was held at a at Casa Llotja de Mar – Passeig d’Isabel in Barcelona.

The 24 awardees, representing Manhattan, Cape Town, Barcelona, New Delhi, Sweden, Lima, Turkey, Philippines, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Nigeria, were lauded with their recognition in leadership in entrepreneurship. Past IWEC awardees hail from countries including The U.S.; Europe - Spain; Africa - Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa; Asia , India, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. 

Profound & Inspirational addresses were made by Ms. Joana Ortega -Vice President of the Catalan Government, Ms. Núria de Gispert - President of the Catalan Parliament, Mr. Xavier Trias - Mayor of the city of Barcelona, Mr. Miquel Valls – President of the BBC, Mr. Joan Ma. Nin – la Caixa CEO and Ms. Ruth A. Davis – Chairperson of IWEC.

 

The final day was an international trade day where Mr. Robert Jones – United States Regional Commercial Counselor addressed the topic “Techniques for Business Success in a Global Market”. Her Excellency Fikile Magubane - South African Ambassador, spoke on Business Success through meaningful engagement with African women, while Ambassador Ruth Davis summed up the qualities of leadership and the importance of these going forward in the world economy.

For any further assistance please contact michelle@spice4life.co.za 

Issued by: Spice4life.co.za
                  Michelle Korevaar
+27 21 557 9277

For more information re interviews with any of the founders or awardees, e-mail michelle@spice4life.co.za

Further queries: www.iwecawards.com

Find IWEC on: Facebook & Linked In      

Network on a Global Level: The 2011 International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge, Nov. 14th and 15th

MCC are strong advocates of promoting global business. We hope our members and others in the NYC business community will take the opportunity to participate in our International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge event. We have gathered women entrepreneurs from all over the world for this unique event. Come and hear about how they launched their businesses and made them successful. We hope our attendees will have the chance to make connections and perhaps do business with this year's IWEC Award Winners.

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Is Hosting the 2011 IWEC Conference in NYC, November 13th-16th, 2011. 

Connect with the 2011 IWEC Awardees, Past Awardees and Their International Guests to Establish Global Business Contacts.

Our International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge featuring 18 awardees

and 10 past awardees (including those from the NYC tri-state area) will be 

gathering in NYC for the 2011 IWEC Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony November 13th - 16th. 

These women owned businesses are looking to create connections here in the NYC area to further their business and to create partnerships with US companies. Awardees include businesses such as:

• Australia: Diane Tompson - Managing Director, The Powercom Group
• Bangladesh: Syeda Zinnat Ara Nipun  - Proprietor, N.D. Fashion
• India: Mira Kulkarni - Managing Director, Mountain Valley Springs India Pvt Ltd.
• New York Region: Sandi Webster and Peggy McHale - Principals, Consultants 2 Go, LLC
• Spain: Elizabeth Trallero - CEO, Congost Plastic, S.A
• South Africa: Valerie Mentz - CEO, Greystone Trading   

The mission of IWEC is to develop a global business network for successful women business owners, helping them gain and expand access to international markets.

Do not miss the following two events that constitute a unique opportunity to reach out to delegates around the world, local awardees, MCC members and a host of women owned businesses (500+). Network, develop international partnerships and hear the success stories of global executives!

Meet and Network With the IWEC Awardees International Women

Monday, November 14, 2011 

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Join us in welcoming the 2011 IWEC Awardees to NYC and hear their stories and learn about their businesses. A great opportunity to connect with these international women business owners to expand your contacts and develop strategic partnerships. Continental breakfast is included.

  

Met Life
1095 Ave. of the Americas @ 42nd St.
23rd Floor
New York 10036 , NY  

For more information, click here.

MCC members: $30

MCC non-members: $40

2011 IWEC Awards Cocktail Reception & Awards Ceremony

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 

5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Join MCC in celebrating and recognizing the 2011 IWEC Awardees. 

Opening remarks by Ruth A. Davis, Former US Ambassador; Miguel Valls, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce President; Vishakha Desai, Asia Society President. The awards presentation is followed by a cocktail reception with great networking opportunties. 

Asia Society
725 Park Ave. @ 70th St.
New York 10021 , NY

For more information, click here.

MCC members: $50

MCC non-members: $60

 

The complete information on the 2011 awardees can be found here.

  

If you have any questions, please contact MCC at 212-473-7875 or send an email to events@manhattancc.org.