Discover the top resources available to female entrepreneurs in North Carolina, from coaching to networking to funding.
Starting and growing a business takes vision, hard work, and a strong support system. For women entrepreneurs across North Carolina, the latter comes in many forms: business centers offering one-on-one counseling, nonprofit lenders providing access to capital, member-based networking groups, collaborative co-working spaces, and high-impact conferences designed to inspire and educate.
Whether you’re refining your business plan, preparing a loan package, searching for mentorship, or simply looking to connect with other women founders who understand the journey, North Carolina offers a rich ecosystem of resources tailored to women-led businesses. Keep reading to learn more.
Business centers, support groups, and financial assistance
The following organizations provide services and resources to women-led businesses, ranging from classes and business counseling to loan package preparation assistance and business plan reviews.
National Institute
The National Institute manages multiple Women’s Business Centers across North Carolina, including Women’s Business Center of North Carolina (WBCNC), Women’s Business Center of Charlotte (WBCC), and Women’s Business Center of The Triad (WBCT).
Each center offers a variety of services and resources designed to help women-owned businesses grow, including one-on-one business counseling, seminars and classes, business plan reviews, loan package preparation assistance, certification assistance and review, and networking opportunities.
Address: WBCNC: 114 W. Parrish St., Durham; WBCC: 916 W. 5th St., Charlotte; WBCT: 900 E. Washington St., Greensboro
Western Women’s Business Center
Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC), a program of the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, offers support for small business owners, such as one-on-one business coaching, workshops, and group training.
The organization also helps entrepreneurs gain access to capital. The team can review funding options with you and help you find the best products to meet your specific needs, such as loans, lines of credit, collateral funding, and grants.
Address: 3 S. Tunnel Rd., Ste. A-08, Asheville
Startup Women NC
Startup Women NC is a small, community-focused group that connects female founders with one another, as well as with the resources they need to grow their business.
The group hosts weekly digital forums where members can discuss challenges they’re facing and get feedback from other members, as well as expert-led workshops covering topics like funding, legal guidance, and marketing.
As part of your $222 annual membership, you also get access to an online resource library with business templates, tools, and past workshop recordings. You’re also invited to attend member-only events and join the group’s Slack channel.
Address: With the exception of occasional in-person events, Startup Women NC is a virtual group.
National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Raleigh
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Raleigh is a member-based organization that aims to provide female entrepreneurs with access to meaningful business-building connections.
The organization does this through in-person meetings, networking events with guest speakers, and “power circles,” which are members-only meetings during which you can have confidential business discussions with other members and get feedback or advice.
Some upcoming events cover topics such as how legislation impacts women-owned businesses, optimizing your Google Business profile, and tax law changes that impact small businesses.
Address: Meeting and event locations vary.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
While the Carolina Small Business Development Fund doesn’t work exclusively with female entrepreneurs, it’s still an excellent resource for women-owned businesses that need funding. The nonprofit organization offers loans up to $350,000 and can also evaluate your capital needs to recommend the best financing solutions for your business.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund also offers one-on-one consultations with its business solutions team and digital classes on a variety of small business topics.
Address: 3128 Highwoods Blvd., Ste. 170, Raleigh
Co-working spaces
Whether you need a professional setting to meet with a client or simply want an escape from your home office, co-working spaces provide an office-like environment without the long-term lease or expensive rent. They’re also a great place to meet and network with other female entrepreneurs.
Elevate
Elevate is a co-working space for women that includes common spaces, dedicated desks, phone booths, meeting rooms, and private office spaces.
There are three membership tiers that include varying levels of access and added perks. For example, the starter package includes five co-working days per month, access to Elevate’s community spaces and shared kitchen, invitations to workshops and social events, and discounts on meeting rooms.
If you want to try the space out before you commit to purchasing a membership, day passes are available for $25. Every booking includes wifi, free parking, coffee, and snacks.
Address: 2512 Independence Blvd., Ste. 100, Wilmington
The Coven Cary
The Coven Cary offers one major perk that many other co-working spaces don’t: on-site childcare. The Montessori-inspired playcare program is an additional $11 per hour for members with a full-access membership.
Workspace options include designated desks, fully furnished private offices with room for up to six people, a conference space, phone booths, and a kitchen with coffee and snacks.
As part of your membership, you also get access to online professional development courses, expert-led workshops, and monthly meetups.
Address: 201 Shannon Oaks Cir., Ste. 102, Cary
Events
These one-day events are packed with educational workshops, interactive panels, and networking opportunities for women in business.
2026 Women’s Empowerment: Financial Strategies for Women in Business
Financial Strategies for Women in Business packs a lot of learning into just two hours—perfect for busy entrepreneurs who are short on time. At the free event, slated for Mar. 16, you can participate in several workshops covering topics such as financial management for entrepreneurs, elevator speeches, marketing, and entrepreneurial mindset training.
Address: Halifax Community College Small Business Center, 400 Building, 100 College Dr., Weldon
REACH Women’s Conference
On Mar. 25, REACH Women’s Conference will bring together more than 600 business professionals for a day of breakout sessions designed to help you sharpen your leadership and communication skills.
Panel discussions will cover topics such as technology in the workplace and collective leadership, and workshops will focus on areas including self-storytelling and navigating leadership challenges.
General admission tickets start at $150. Childcare is available during the conference for an additional $45.
Address: Benton Convention Center, 301 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem
Triad Minority & Women’s Business Expo
Triad Minority & Women’s Business Expo is a free event featuring more than 100 vendors, including minority and women-led businesses, from throughout the Triad area.
Scheduled for Aug. 22, the expo will also have workshops, panels, and discussions led by entrepreneurs and business leaders, as well as a youth showcase and fashion designer showcase, networking opportunities, and giveaways.
Address: Benton Convention Center, 301 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem
Women Led NC
Women Led NC is a leadership and personal development conference for female entrepreneurs. The one-day event, scheduled for Dec. 2, will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions on a variety of topics, an exhibit hall with more than 40 businesses, speed networking, headshot photography, and a bookstore.
Tickets for the conference weren’t on sale at the time of writing, but you can sign up for alerts on the event website.
Address: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh
