The Women.NYC Network Strives to Connect Women with Opportunities in New York City’s Innovation Industries and Growing Sectors

The Program’s First Year Reached Over 80,000 Women and Served Over 1,800 Participants

NEW YORK, NY—Today, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) released an impact report on the success of the inaugural year of the Women.NYC initiative, The Network, launched in April 2023. The Network is a social capital building suite of programs designed to connect women in New York City with resources to help them excel and identify opportunities in emerging high-growth industries. Through large-scale events, networking sessions, and mentorship discussions, the program has served thousands of women in the last year.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• The Network programs have reached over 80,000 women—providing awareness on the opportunities these industries offer across modalities, including email subscribers, LinkedIn group members, and social media engagement.
• The program has served over 1,800 participantsas of September 2024, with 908 participating in the first ten months of programming.
• Out of all participants, 96 percent reported the program met or exceeded their expectations, and 94 percent reported they will likely return to another Women.NYC Network session.
• Additionally, 66 percent of jobseekers report they have made career changes since joining the Women.NYC Network.

“New York City aspires be the most women-forward city in the country, and helping women enter high-growth industries with economic advancement opportunities and family-sustaining wages is critical to achieving that goal,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “Congratulations to the Women.NYC team on the successful first year of programming. I am grateful for our private and nonprofit sector partners, and am excited to see how the Women.NYC team’s impact will continue to grow through the partnership with NASDAQ Foundation’s THRIVE Campaign.”

“The growth and success of New York City’s economy depends on giving every New Yorker the chance to participate and lead,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “I’m excited to see that in just one year, Women.NYC’s ‘The Network’ program has made incredible progress in doing just that, reaching tens of thousands of women to provide career support, networking, and other opportunities to participate in our most innovative industries.”

Underserved communities are a key focus of The Network outreach, aiming to reach New York City women in need of career support and access to strategic networks while building a diverse future economy. In the year since launching The Network, 65 percent of participants reported their race as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) – reflecting our success at reaching women of color, who are typically underrepresented in these industries.

The program has made clear progress towards goals, as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive participant feedback, significant increases in competencies, behavior changes, and career shifts. The report’s demographic insights help to paint a clear picture of the program’s success in reaching diverse underserved communities, supporting career growth, and fostering a sense of community among participants. The analysis shows the program can improve targeted outreach, increase the number of events while diversifying the locations, and continue to build community. The impact report findings will help to inform the City and stakeholders’ approach to improving women’s representation across the fastest-growing sectors, changing how we work and live.

Wocstar Capital, the operator of the Women.NYC Network services, has played a key role in implementing the programs, collecting the data and developing the impact report that documents successful outcomes.

“Wocstar Capital is honored to showcase the transformative impact of our collaboration with Women.NYC and invest in New Yorkers,” said Wocstar Capital Director of Programs and Partnerships, Colleen Bataille. “Together, we are working to grow NYC’s startup ecosystem and job prospects by building a citywide community of women and allies who are prepared for the emerging, high-growth industries that will define NYC’s future and economic health.”

“The Women.NYC Network Impact Report underscores the power of community and the urgent need to expand opportunities for women in fast-growing industries,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias. “The insights provided in this report will guide our efforts to create a more inclusive workforce, ensuring women have the resources, mentorship, and access they need to thrive in New York’s evolving economy. As Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and the first Latina Majority Leader, I am committed to advancing these recommendations and building on the progress we’ve made to foster equity and representation across all sectors.”

“I am excited to celebrate the extraordinary success of the Women.NYC Network, which has already empowered over 80,000 women in just one year,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “This initiative is transforming New York City’s innovation landscape, breaking down barriers, and creating real, life-changing opportunities. With 65 percent of participants identifying as BIPOC, we’re making history by building a diverse, inclusive future economy. And now, through the partnership with THRIVE Campaign, we are doubling down on the commitment to advancing and supporting the economic potential of women, fostering wealth, and driving a new era of prosperity for our communities. Together, we’re shaping a brighter, more equitable New York. Thank you to Mayor Adams and EDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball for advancing and supporting this program.”

“I applaud the New York City Economic Development Corporation on the release of the Women.NYC Network Impact Report and the remarkable achievements of the program’s first year. Having the opportunity to support a distinctly successful program that has engaged with 65 percent BIPOC participants and driving career changes for 66 percent of jobseekers underscores our shared vision in fostering inclusivity and economic advancement,” said New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis, Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity. “This initiative has proven to be a transformative force in connecting women with opportunities in high-growth industries, and I look forward to seeing how Women.NYC will further expand access, diversify opportunities, and empower women across all boroughs to thrive in the future workforce.”

“We are excited to partner with Women.NYC to advance our mission of wealth building,” said THRIVE Initiative Founder & CEO Ramona Ortega. “Through this collaboration, THRIVE is working to enhance a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and promote an inclusive economy by generating wealth in communities of color. Collaborations with initiatives like Women.NYC are significant milestones for the THRIVE initiative. We strongly believe in the power of public-private partnerships to create supportive ecosystems, especially in a dynamic city like New York.”

“Building on a strong first year, the Women.NYC Network will be invaluable to helping more women enter and sustain careers in growing sectors. Women are underrepresented in too many industries, so it’s crucial that we invest in equipping women with the social capital and resources that will break down employment barriers,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Our city’s economic excellence must include all New Yorkers, so I’m grateful to EDC and partners for investing in women.”

“It is critically important that the valuable ideas, talents, and perspectives of women are adequately represented in our city’s high-growth industries,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Thankfully, the Women.NYC initiative has already done so much in its first year to facilitate the success of women in these fields. I commend the NYCEDC’s great work in this area and wish it continued success with this important effort to connect women with the multitude of opportunities available in our city’s fast-growing innovation economy.”

Following the report’s findings, the city is also announcing a partnership between Women.NYC and THRIVE Campaign, a NASDAQ-supported foundation. The partnership’s joint programming will unlock the economic potential of women in innovation industries, fostering intergenerational wealth in underrepresented communities.

The Network is one of the many programs including in “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity,” a more than $43 million investment aimed at making New York City a national leader on gender equity, including for transgender and gender expansive New Yorkers, with the ambitious goal of becoming the most women-forward city in the United States. Supported through city dollars, private and public partnerships, academic institutions, and federal grant funding, the action plan addresses gender disparities by connecting women to professional development and higher-paying jobs; dismantling barriers to sexual, reproductive, and chronic health care; reducing gender-based violence against women; and providing holistic housing services, including for formerly incarcerated women and domestic and gender-based violence survivors.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity, build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About THRIVE Campaign
The THRIVE Campaign, supported by the NASDAQ Foundation, is reshaping financial futures by empowering Black and Latino communities with the knowledge and tools needed to build wealth and create lasting legacies. Recognizing the barriers to financial inclusion, THRIVE focuses on equipping individuals and families with practical investment education and personalized resources through customized financial education, interactive webinars, and community events. THRIVE equips individuals and families with the knowledge and support needed to achieve financial security and build lasting legacies.

About Wocstar Capital
Wocstar Capital has been at the forefront of investing in diverse entrepreneurs, championing innovation, and supporting groundbreaking initiatives that advance value creation, and inclusivity across global markets. Our mission is to amplify underrepresented voices, ensuring their companies and stories are valued. Through our three pillars—strategic investments via the Wocstar Fund, entrepreneurial education at Wocstar Academy, and storytelling through Wocstar Media—we empower visionary founders, foster connections, and inspire communities. As a proud B Corp Certified company, Wocstar Capital demonstrates a steadfast commitment to blending smart investment practices with meaningful impact. To learn more, visit us wocstar.com.