In the spirit of all the usual end of the year lists - books, music, and so forth, I thought I'd reflect on my top ten issues in the area of women's entrepreneurship.  Please note that there is no type of statistical validity or any specific selection technique underlying the list - just my musings.  Also, it is most certainly not inclusive.  There are many other great programs, groups, activities, etc. happening around the world in the support of women entrepreneurs and their businesses. 

1)      Mohammed Younis wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in advancing economic and social development through microlending.   As the founder of the Grameen Bank, Younos demonstrated quite clearly the potential of women advancing (as individuals, families, and communities) through entrepreneurship.  In essence, this does become the first Nobel prize for entrepreneurship.

2)      Several of the US government programs increasingly recognized that entrepreneurial training programs need to focus on growth as part of start-up training, and not just a later add-on.  Some examples of this approach can be seen in select Women's Business Centers and also in the approach that seems to underlie the current work of the National Women's Business Council (http://www.nwbc.gov/).

3)      The number of role models for women's entrepreneurship continues to grow - with women being very specific that there is more than one approach or path.  There is no way to list all, but a few whose stories I continue to find interesting include Nina Mclemore, Josephine Chaus, Maxine Clark, and Helen Greiner.

4)      Availability of equity dollars!  It has definitely been an interesting year for meeting more women in the equity community and watching some of those who have been in for awhile making some moves.  Whether it is launching funds targeting investments in women led firms or using existing funds to be alert for deals with women entrepreneurs, it feels like a bit of movement (and when starting from almost nothing, that is saying something).  Women I intend to watch who are approaching equity in different ways include Karen Kerr, Lisa Jordan and a new acquaintance for me, Lori Whitted.

5)      Foundation and not-for-profit work with women entrepreneurs.  These groups are doing excellent work in such things as providing data, promoting role models, and advancing networking opportunities.  While Catalyst is not about entrepreneurs, their research and programs help us understand the world of work for women in a different way.  The Center for Women's Business Research continues to be the premier group for conducting and disseminating information on U.S. women entrepreneurs.  Industry specific groups such as WITI are also increasingly active in launching chapters and programs.

6)      Colleges and universities conducting research and teaching for and about women entrepreneurs.  While I remain entirely biased about our work at Babson through our Center for Women's Leadership and our participating in the Diana International Project, there are other exciting things happening as well.  Harvard Business School and George Washington University both have unique ways of addressing the demand for this type of education.

7)       Getting the attention of for-profit companies.  For some, their support is seen through financial contributions to and programmatic participation with foundations and not-for-profits such as the Center for Women's Business Research (http://www.cfwbr.org).  For others, there is specific outreach externally to women entrepreneurs through programs such as Office Depot's Success Strategies for Businesswomen (http://www.officedepotsuccess.com).  Either way, working with women entrepreneurs is just seen as good business. 

8)      The media.  We've joked for years (in a rather sad way) that we needed an Allie McBeal (law) or ER (medicine) about women business owners to show entrepreneurship as a career choice in a different light.  You can tell how long we've been making that joke by the dated nature of the shows.  I suppose we could now use Law and Order and Grey's Anatomy to show what we are missing for the business show.  On a small aside note, at least the family business in Brothers and Sisters is now led by one of the sisters.  But that was a bit of a painful turn anyway.  A final media mention - thank you for two particular magazines Pink (http://pinkmagazine.com) and Motto http://www.whatsyourmotto.com - formerly Worthwhile).  I hope they both have tremendous 2007s.

9)      The women entrepreneurs.  Whether initially starting a home based business to support a family (which does NOT mean it can't eventually grow), planning a large scale enterprise with an industry presence, or launching a not-for-profit organization to make a social difference, my colleagues and I continue to be impressed by the passion and persistence these women demonstrate and it is our pleasure to work with them on a regular basis.

10)    Great year for discussing theory.   The academic pendulum swings over time between the importance of theory and practice.  However, the intellectual conversation is starting to become quite a bit more realistic in recognizing that no field can advance without activity from both perspectives - pure theory and actual practice.  Oh wait, maybe this one is my hope for next year.

Happy New Year to everyone who helps to support women entrepreneurs and their businesses!