Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The List

New England's largest women-owned tech companies

By Lynette F. Cornell

See the table of Largest Women-Owned Tech Companies below

New England lagged behind the national average in the growth of women-owned companies, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. While the number of women-owned businesses grew 20 percent nationwide between 2002 and 2007, the growth in New England states ranged from 7.8 percent in Vermont to 18.4 percent in Maine.

Still, the climate is positive for women-owned tech businesses in Massachusetts, according to Sue Mailman, CEO of Coghlin Electric Contractors Inc. and Coghlin Network Services Inc. in Worcester. The state, whose number of women-owned businesses increased by half the national average, has high standards for Women Business Enterprise certification, said Mailman. This makes it easier for companies like hers to gain contracts.

“[WBE certification] only helps us stand out when all else is equal, primarily price in this market. If we can deliver competitive pricing then WBE status can move the needle,” said Mailman. The result, she said, is that Massachusetts is experiencing growth with women-owned tech businesses, a trend she expects to continue. She has also observed more willingness from companies to search for qualified women-owned companies. 

Women who own or lead businesses can encourage more women-owned business growth by mentoring other women, said Mailman. Programs that guide young women are particularly  critical to future generations of female business leaders, she said. Although women typically have greater home responsibilities,  Mailman advises men and women business leaders to set work/life priorities. and to let some things go.“You will most likely not have the house with the most pumpkins on the front steps, for example, and that’s OK,” said Mailman.

Largest Women-Owned Tech Companies
* Companies that did not respond to survey request are not included on this list.

SOURCE: MHT Research