10,000 Women
| Company type | Philanthropic initiative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Business education and mentorship |
| Founded | March 5, 2008 |
| Founder | Goldman Sachs Foundation |
Key people | Dina Habib Powell (initial managing director) |
| Products | Business education, mentorship, networking, capital access for women entrepreneurs |
| Owner | Goldman Sachs Foundation |
| Website | www |
10,000 Women represents an initiative by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation designed to stimulate local economic development through providing business education, mentorship, networking opportunities, and capital access specifically for underserved women entrepreneurs worldwide. Unveiled on March 5, 2008, at Columbia University, this program ranks among Goldman Sachs' most significant philanthropic efforts. Under the initial leadership of managing director Dina Habib Powell, it aims to empower women entrepreneurs as catalysts for economic advancement.
The program remained active as of 2022, with Goldman Sachs releasing analyses on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurs within the 10,000 Women community.
Award process
Goldman Sachs allocated US$100 million to support the initiative by collaborating with universities across Europe and the United States alongside business schools situated in developing countries.
Between 2009 and 2011, Vital Voices honored graduates of the 10,000 Women program with the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award during its annual Global Leadership Awards, sponsored by Goldman Sachs. Distinguished awardees include Temituokpe Esisi (Nigeria, 2009), Andeisha Farid (Afghanistan, 2010), and Fatema Akbari (Afghanistan, 2011).
In September 2013, the 10,000 Women program established a presence on Twitter (@GS10KWomen), amassing over 39,000 followers by December 2015.
Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility
In March 2014, the $600 million Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility was launched through a collaboration between the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women program. This facility aims to extend financing opportunities to 100,000 women entrepreneurs in emerging markets. The IFC initially contributed $100 million, while the Goldman Sachs Foundation provided $32 million; an additional $486 million was projected from a mix of public and private sector investors.