Women are starting new businesses. In fact, 1 in 4 say they plan to launch one this year, and 58% say they would consider it in the next 12 months.

They’re leveraging emerging technology. More than half say they’re likely to use AI to launch or formalize a business, and nearly 4 in 5 expect it to play a role in their company’s future.

They’re building lean, independent companies. Nearly half of women entrepreneurs operate as solopreneurs, running their businesses on their own.

So why do persistent gender gaps still show up in business ownership, scale, and funding?

The answer isn’t a lack of ambition, capability, or interest. Across two national surveys of U.S. adults and business owners, a more nuanced picture emerges. Women are just as entrepreneurial, just as forward-looking, and just as open to innovation. But they start, fund, scale, and operate their businesses differently. Those differences shape not only how their companies grow, but how impact is measured. 

This is what it looks like when women build businesses. Below are 22 data points that reveal how women enter, fund, scale, and sustain their businesses.

Why do fewer women start businesses?

While 58% of women would consider starting a business, a significant gender gap persists: 65% of women have never owned a business, compared to 46% of men.¹

1. 65% of women say they have never owned or run a business.¹

The gender gap starts early—long before funding, scaling, or technology enter the conversation. According to QuickBooks’ Entrepreneurship in 2026 survey, nearly two-thirds of women (65%) have never crossed the threshold into business ownership, compared to 46% of men. 

That matters because everything that follows—growth, capital, and innovation—depends on who enters entrepreneurship in the first place. If fewer women start businesses, fewer are positioned to scale them. Fewer are applying for capital. Fewer are building employer firms. Over time, that initial difference compounds. 

But this isn’t a story about a lack of interest. In fact, the data suggests the opposite.

2. 1 in 4 women say they plan to start a new business in 2026.¹

25% of women say they intend to start a new business this year. That trails men at 40%, but it still represents a substantial future founder pipeline. 

And the entrepreneurial interest runs even deeper. While 25% are firmly planning to launch, another large share say it’s possible. In total, 58% of women say they either plan to or would consider starting a business in the next 12 months.

The gap isn’t about whether women want to start businesses, a majority are open to it. The difference shows up in how quickly interest turns into action.

3. Nearly 6 in 10 women say they feel urgency to start a business within the next year.¹

The momentum is real. Among women who plan to start a business, 59% say they feel a sense of urgency. 

That urgency is rooted in practical goals. Many women say they want higher income (56%), more control (51%), or greater flexibility (47%). Others point to job insecurity (20%), burnout (13%), or a desire to make a positive impact (23%). For many, entrepreneurship isn’t just a dream. It’s a financial and lifestyle strategy. 

But urgency alone doesn’t remove risk. Starting a business often means weighing personal savings, household stability, caregiving responsibilities, and broader economic uncertainty. That’s where caution enters the picture.

4. Nearly half of aspiring women founders say they would start even if conditions aren’t perfect.¹

49% say they would move forward without ideal conditions. At the same time, 1 in 5 say they would wait until the timing feels right. And most (73%) say they’d be even more likely to start if the economy improves.

This isn’t hesitation for hesitation’s sake. Women appear more likely to weigh risk before taking the leap. That careful timing can slow entry—but it can also protect long-term stability. And for many women, that caution doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means starting differently.

5. 42% of women currently have a side hustle.¹

Entrepreneurship doesn’t always begin with a formal business registration. 42% of women say they currently earn income from a side hustle. But only 13% have formally registered that activity as a business. Just 10% have obtained an EIN. Only 20% have opened a separate business bank account. Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) say they’ve taken none of the typical steps to formalize their work.

In other words, many women are already building something—just not in ways that show up in official ownership data. Some entrepreneurs are visible, others are building quietly.

6. 58% of women with a side hustle plan to keep it on the side.¹

Most are not trying to turn their side income into a full-time business—at least not yet. Only 34% say they plan to grow it into a full-time venture.

Why keep it part-time? Stability. 57% say they continue working for an employer to maintain a steady, predictable paycheck. 41% cite health insurance and benefits. Others point to schedule predictability (24%), retirement access (21%), or the need to qualify for credit or loans (17%).

For many women, entrepreneurship is layered rather than all-or-nothing. It’s a way to build income and autonomy while protecting financial security.

How do women entrepreneurs structure their businesses?

Nearly half of all women entrepreneurs (42%) operate as solopreneurs, reflecting a strategic preference for lean, independent business structures.²

7. 42% of women entrepreneurs run their businesses alone.²

Nearly half of women business owners are solopreneurs, according to QuickBooks’ Business Ownership in 2026 survey. That’s more than twice the rate of men (19%). 

Running a business alone affects everything. A solo founder typically has fewer resources, fewer layers of support, and less margin for risk. Revenue may grow more slowly. Hiring may happen later. Access to funding can be more limited, since many lenders and investors prioritize employer firms.

In a nutshell, business size shapes opportunity. When more women run solo companies, growth trajectories can look different from the very start. And the gap becomes even clearer as firms scale.

8. 1 in 5 women entrepreneurs lead mid-sized firms with 10 to 49 employees.²

22% of women business owners operate at this level, compared to 33% of men. This means as businesses grow larger, women are less likely to be represented in those higher employee tiers. 

And size matters. Companies with employees tend to generate higher revenue, create more jobs, and attract more outside capital. They’re also more likely to be counted in the economic indicators that policymakers and media watch most closely.

Smaller firms can absolutely be profitable and sustainable. But when businesses stay lean, they often fly under the radar. Scale doesn’t just influence how much a company earns, it shapes how visible that company is—and how its impact is measured. Business size also changes how it operates day to day.

9. Nearly half of women business owners handle their finances entirely on their own.²

48% say they manage all bookkeeping and tax responsibilities themselves, whether through accounting software (30%) or spreadsheets and pen and paper (18%).

When businesses run lean, financial management often stays with the founder. That can keep costs down in the short term, but it also means the owner is responsible for tracking expenses, managing cash flow, and preparing for tax season—on top of running the business.

Administrative work doesn’t scale easily. It consumes time and attention that could otherwise go toward revenue-generating activity. And ongoing professional support is less common than you might expect.

10. Only 14% of women say they work with a dedicated accountant or bookkeeper year-round.²

Just 14% report having a regular, ongoing relationship with a financial professional. Another 25% say they handle the books themselves and only bring in a professional once a year to file taxes. 7% have an internal employee or contractor who manages finances.

The majority of women business owners are either fully self-managed or minimally supported when it comes to financial operations. That choice may reflect cost discipline, but it also reinforces a pattern: lean teams, founder-heavy workloads, and growth that depends heavily on one person’s capacity.

How does entrepreneurship affect work-life balance for women?

For 56% of women business owners, the primary motivation for entrepreneurship is the desire for more flexible hours and a better work-life balance.¹

11. Almost half of women entrepreneurs say they have never missed a major personal milestone due to their work.²

47% say they have not missed a significant life event because of business demands. When women do report tradeoffs, they are slightly less likely than men to say they’ve missed a child’s event, a significant birthday or anniversary, or a planned family vacation. 

For many women, building a business doesn’t mean stepping away from personal commitments. Success includes staying connected to the moments that matter most—while running a company. That choice shapes how time is allocated, and where pressure builds.

12. 1 in 4 women entrepreneurs report impacts to their physical or mental health.²

26% say their physical health has been affected by their work. Another 25% report mental health strain. And 1 in 5 say they have missed a critical health checkup or medical appointment because of business demands.

The pressure of entrepreneurship doesn’t disappear, even when personal milestones are protected. Long hours, financial uncertainty, and constant decision-making take a toll. For many women, that toll shows up internally. They may still attend the school event or family vacation, but sleep, exercise, preventive care, and mental space can quietly erode in the background.

Running a business requires resilience. The data suggests that resilience often comes at a personal cost. So how do women manage that stress?

13. 57% of women say they cope with entrepreneurial stress by leaning on friends or family.²

Running a business isn’t just financially risky. It’s emotionally risky, too. When asked what they fear most, 34% of women entrepreneurs point to the loss of their personal identity or purpose. Nearly as many fear letting down their family or community (33%). Financial ruin ranks highest overall (39%), but the emotional stakes are just as present.

That context matters when we look at how women manage stress. 57% say they vent to friends or family. 55% engage in creative hobbies. 66% turn to exercise or physical activity. 1 in 5 seek professional therapy or counseling.

Women cope by staying connected—to people, to movement, to creativity. When the pressure builds, many women lean outward rather than inward.

How do women finance their small businesses in 2026?

Access to capital remains the steepest hurdle, with 47% of aspiring women founders identifying a lack of funding as the single biggest barrier to starting up.¹

14. 47% of women say money is the single biggest barrier to starting a business.¹

For nearly half of aspiring female founders, access to capital is the top obstacle. Fear of failure or losing money follows closely behind (33%).¹ 

Businesses need funding to grow. Yet many women are hesitant to engage in traditional funding pathways. 32% say they have never needed to apply for funding—double the rate of men.² The capital gap isn’t only about approval rates. It’s about entry into the system itself. If women are twice as likely to say they’ve never needed to apply for funding, then fewer women are even stepping into the arena where growth capital lives.

And anticipation plays a role. Only 37% of women entrepreneurs say “fear of denial” has not influenced their funding decisions.² For most women, the possibility of rejection—or the perception that the process will be difficult or stacked against them—shapes behavior early. When capital feels uncertain or risky, avoiding friction can feel safer than pursuing it.

15. Over half of women say they would rely on personal financing to start a business.¹

56% of aspiring female founders say they would use personal funds to launch their enterprise. Women are less likely than men to plan on small business loans (47% of women vs. 59% of men) or business credit (42% vs. 57%). 

When money is the biggest barrier, it makes sense to start with what feels most certain. Personal funds mean no applications, no approvals, and no added debt. But it can also mean slower growth. When you’re building with your own savings, every dollar counts. 

For many women, that choice isn’t about fear. It’s about stability. Protecting household finances can matter just as much as pursuing opportunity. And that instinct carries over once the business is up and running.

16. Nearly 1 in 3 women entrepreneurs say they have taken no significant personal financial risks for their business.²

For many women, building a business and protecting their financial foundation go hand in hand. 32% say they have not taken any major personal financial risks to support their company. Among those who have, the most common step is using personal credit cards (46%). Fewer report tapping into retirement savings (15%), borrowing from family or friends (19%), selling personal assets (17%), or mortgaging their home (7%).

In other words, many women are willing to invest in their businesses—but they draw a line at risking long-term household security. That choice can slow how quickly a company grows, but it also protects personal assets.

How are women entrepreneurs using AI to start and grow their businesses?

Artificial intelligence has become a core growth lever, with 79% of women entrepreneurs expecting AI to play a role in their company’s future operations.²

17. More than half of women say they are likely to use AI to launch or formalize a business.¹

55% of women say they are likely to use AI to help get their business idea off the ground. And they’re not using it randomly. The most common first use is idea generation or basic market research (32%). Before investing time or money, many women are using AI to test and refine their thinking.

Others turn to AI for practical setup tasks. 18% say they would use it for website setup or product listings, 16% for naming, branding, or logo creation, and 10% for writing marketing copy or social posts.

In other words, AI is being used as a starting tool—a way to lower the barrier to entry. Women aren’t avoiding technology, they’re applying it intentionally, using it to validate ideas, reduce startup friction, and build lean from the start. And once the business is running, those boundaries become even clearer.

18. 30% of women say they would keep a human touch across all tasks, even if AI were perfectly accurate.²

Among current women business owners, nearly one-third (30%) say they would rather keep a human involved in every part of their business, even if AI could do the job flawlessly. That’s double the rate of men. This isn’t resistance to technology, it’s a statement about values.

For those who would delegate something to AI, the choices are telling. 17% would hand over bookkeeping and tax prep, another 17% would automate creative marketing work. Only small shares would use AI for core analysis, HR, or day-to-day administrative work. Even when offered a perfect tool, many women prefer to keep judgment, relationships, and decision-making close.

Women are open to AI. They use it to lower startup barriers and streamline certain tasks. But when it comes to the heart of the business, many still prioritize human oversight. 

19. 43% of women say AI will not significantly change their workforce planning.²

When asked how AI will affect hiring over the next year, 43% of women say they do not anticipate any significant impact on their workforce planning. That’s the single largest response.

Some do expect change. 19% say they plan to use AI to fuel growth and increase headcount. Another 18% say they’ll use AI to handle more work with their existing team. A smaller share (14%) say they would use AI to reduce staff. 

But the dominant response is steady; for many women business owners, AI is a tool—not a restructuring event. It may improve efficiency, but it’s not necessarily a signal to shrink or rapidly expand their workforce. That same steady approach shows up in how women think about AI more broadly.

20. Nearly 4 in 5 women say they plan to use AI in the future of their business.²

Only 21% of women envision an AI-free future. The vast majority (79%) expect AI to play some role in their company going forward. But that doesn’t mean they expect it to take over. 

Only 33% say they’re worried that AI might replace the need for their business. 37% say they’re not concerned. The rest fall somewhere in between. Women aren’t treating AI as either a threat or a magic solution. They’re watching, experimenting, and integrating it where it makes sense.

What is the economic impact of women-owned businesses?

Women-led businesses are redefining economic impact by prioritizing community-oriented growth and sustainable, risk-aware scaling over pure headcount.

21. Nearly 7 in 10 women entrepreneurs say their business contributes to their local community in a concrete way.²

When people think about economic impact, they often think about hiring. 32% of women business owners say they create jobs for local residents. But that’s only one form of contribution. 29% source supplies or services from other local businesses, 27% sponsor local events, teams, or charities, and 21% offer internships or training programs.

Only 31% say they do not currently have specific plans to support their local community.

Most women business owners are contributing in measurable ways—even if they’re not operating large employer firms. If job creation is the only yardstick, much of that impact gets overlooked.

22. Nearly half of women business owners believe their business has a responsibility to support the local community.²

44% agree that businesses should give back locally. That belief shapes how companies operate—from where they spend money to how they show up in their neighborhoods. For many women founders, a business isn’t just a revenue engine, it's part of a broader ecosystem.

And that mindset exists within a consumer environment where values matter. In a recent QuickBooks Small Business Heroes consumer survey, women were more likely than men to say they continue supporting small businesses because they feel connected to the business’s story or mission. Women consumers were also slightly more likely to say they are buying more from small businesses today than they were a year ago. Taken together, it suggests that women play a central role not just in building small businesses, but in sustaining them.

Traditional economic metrics tend to prioritize scale: number of employees, total revenue, pace of expansion. But many women-led businesses are built lean, risk-aware, and community-oriented. Their impact may be distributed rather than concentrated. But smaller on paper does not mean smaller in influence.

The future of women’s entrepreneurship

The data shows that women aren't less ambitious than men; rather, they’re more deliberate, building lean, tech-enabled businesses that prioritize stability.

If growth is measured only by speed, headcount, and outside capital, women-led businesses may appear smaller. But the data suggests a different model is at work—one that prioritizes sustainability over acceleration, household stability over leverage, and human oversight over full automation.

Women aren’t opting out of entrepreneurship. They’re redefining what it looks like.

Sources: Explore more QuickBooks data

1. Entrepreneurship in 2026: Online survey of 3,000 U.S. adults commissioned by Intuit QuickBooks in December 2025. The survey focused on entrepreneurship trends and predictions for 2026, including respondents’ intent to start a business or side hustle, financial confidence, funding expectations, use of AI tools, and perceived barriers to starting a business. 
2. Business Ownership in 2026: Online survey of 1,305 US business owners commissioned by Intuit QuickBooks in December 2025. Respondents were adults aged 18+ who identified as a sole owner, co-owner, or co-founder of a business with 0–250 employees.