Women's Center for Entrepreneurship

What Women's Center for Entrepreneurship does

Women's Center for Entrepreneurship Corporation (WCEC), founded in 1999 and headquartered at 227 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Chatham, New Jersey, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating as an official Women's Business Center under a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (FY2024 federal share of $150,000, 40% of a $375,000 total program cost). The organization provides free to low-cost entrepreneurial training and one-on-one business counseling to aspiring and established small business owners across 14 New Jersey counties (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren), delivered both in-person and virtually via Zoom and a self-serve client portal at clients.wcecnj.org. It also serves a court-involved and returning citizens segment through a reintegration services program funded by a $100,000 NJLEAD grant from the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

WCEC's core offerings are educational and advisory rather than technology-based: Classes (covering topics including social media, SEO, marketing, AI for business owners, and eCommerce), Business Counseling/Coaching priced at $25 per hour or $60 for a package of three one-hour sessions (free when tied to grant or loan applications), the eCommerce/AI Program, the GrowthVenture 13-week virtual business accelerator ($450 per participant with scholarships), Reintegration Services for court-involved individuals, an annual Business Pitch Competition, and curated Funding Resources. Service delivery depends on volunteer mentors, a Board of Directors led by President Tabakin (elected August 2023), an Advisory Council, and named program facilitators including Sandra Holtzman and Marion Chamberlain. Executive Director Nichole Russell leads day-to-day operations.

Revenue is a diversified mix characteristic of community development nonprofits: federal and state grants (SBA Cooperative Agreement, NJ Department of Corrections, NJ Department of State, LISC), corporate sponsorships (Wells Fargo, TD Bank, Bank of America, PSEG, Citizens Bank, Valley Bank, PNC Bank, Kearny Bank), foundation grants (PSEG Foundation, Grunin Foundation, Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation), program fees, and individual donations facilitated through the Ann Cohen Entrepreneurship Fund. WCEC reports no proprietary technology product, no AI/ML patents or proprietary models, and no disclosed annual revenue; it has been recognized with a 2021 Silver Stevie Award from the American Business Awards and graduated from the AWBC National WBC of Excellence Program in 2024.

Name

Women's Center for Entrepreneurship

Legal name

Women's Center for Entrepreneurship Corporation

Website

https://wcecnj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women's Center for Entrepreneurship is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Women's Business Center headquartered in Chatham, New Jersey, providing free to low-cost entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and accelerators to aspiring and established small business owners across 14 New Jersey counties, with specialized programs for women, minorities, and court-involved individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship education
• Business counseling services
• Small business training
• Business accelerator programs
• Women business center

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Primary funding from federal sources including SBA cooperative agreement (Federal Share: $150,000 / 40% of $375,000 total program cost) and state funding from New Jersey Department of State operating support grants. Additional grants from organizations such as New Jersey Department of Corrections, Bank of America, and PSEG Foundation.
2. Program Fees and Class Registration: Revenue from paid educational programs including GrowthVenture ($450 per participant), individual business counseling sessions ($25/hour), and various fee-based classes and workshops ranging from $10-$15 per session.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Special funds such as the Ann Cohen Entrepreneurship Fund accept charitable contributions.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Support from major organization sponsors including Wells Fargo, TD Bank, Bank of America, and PSEG who fund programs and operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Women's Center for Entrepreneurship (WCEC) operates as a nonprofit Women's Business Center providing free to low-cost entrepreneurship education, one-on-one business counseling, and a 13-week virtual business accelerator (GrowthVenture) for aspiring and existing small business owners across 14 New Jersey counties. Services are delivered via in-person sessions at its Chatham headquarters, virtual classes via Zoom, and specialized programs including eCommerce/AI training and reintegration services for returning citizens.

Product overview

The Women's Center for Entrepreneurship operates as a single unified service organization providing entrepreneurial education and support programs rather than a technology product platform. The core offerings include a Women's Business Center (WBC) as the primary brand, complemented by educational Classes, one-on-one Business Counseling/Coaching, an eCommerce/AI Program, the GrowthVenture 13-week business accelerator, Reintegration Services for court-involved individuals, and an annual Business Pitch Competition. Funding Resources and AI-Powered Business Classes provide supplementary support. Services are primarily delivered through in-person and virtual workshops, individual counseling sessions, and cohort-based programs, not through a software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GrowthVenture: A 13-week virtual business accelerator program for existing business owners who want to scale up their businesses, with mentorship and business coaching.

Products and services

• Women's Business Center (WBC) Program Core Women's Business Center program providing free to low-cost entrepreneurship training and one-on-one counseling for aspiring and established small business owners across 14 New Jersey counties, funded through an SBA Cooperative Agreement.
• Business Classes and Workshops Educational sessions covering a wide variety of business topics to help entrepreneurs start, operate, and grow their businesses. Most classes are free; some specialized workshops are $10-$15 per session.
• Business Counseling and Coaching One-on-one sessions with subject matter experts providing support, feedback, and advice for business planning, marketing, profitability, sales, and accessing capital. Priced at $25 per hour or $60 for a package of 3 sessions; free for grant and loan program assistance.
• eCommerce and AI Program Program helping entrepreneurs expand eCommerce and AI capabilities to ensure lasting recovery and long-term growth, including needs assessment, virtual classes, group coaching, and one-on-one business coaching.
• GrowthVenture Accelerator A 13-week virtual business accelerator for existing business owners generating income who want to scale up. Includes mentorship, business coaching, textbook, profitability plans, and actionable growth strategy. Priced at $450 per participant with scholarships available.
• Reintegration Services for Returning Citizens Entrepreneurial support program for court-involved individuals and women exiting correctional facilities, providing one-on-one business counseling, connections to lending partners, and access to webinars at no cost. Funded through the NJLEAD grant.
• Funding Resources Service Curated lists of loans, grants, and funding opportunities for small business owners, with free assistance applying for these programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced recidivism through entrepreneurial training for women exiting correctional facilities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• New Jersey Department of Corrections - Reentry ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2023$100,000 grant to provide entrepreneurial training and support women exiting correctional facilities. Program aims to assist women in gaining economic independence and reduce recidivism through eCommerce education. Funded under NJLEAD grant.
• New Jersey Department of CorrectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment sponsor providing $100,000 grant for entrepreneurial training program for women exiting correctional facilities. Partnership under NJLEAD grant for reintegration services.
• Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing WBC excellence certification, program standards, and network support for women's business centers.
• SCOREmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing mentorship and business expertise resources to WCEC clients.
• NJ Small Business Development Center (SBDC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner providing small business development resources and referrals.
• Rising Tide CapitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing business development support and scholarship assistance for entrepreneurs.
• Grameen AmericasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner focused on helping women entrepreneurs succeed through micro-lending and financial education.
• McCarter EnglishsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEvent host and sponsor providing venue and support for WCEC events and programs.
• The Eisenhower Office (Livingston, NJ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent host venue partner for WCEC Business Pitch Competition and other major events in Livingston, NJ.
• Sandra Holtzman (Marketing Cures)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead facilitator for GrowthVenture accelerator program, providing business coaching and marketing expertise.
• Marion Chamberlain (Chamberlain Leadership)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGrowthVenture program facilitator specializing in leadership development and business scaling.
• The WOW Center NJsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in reintegration services providing support for court-involved women entrepreneurs.
• Isaiah HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting reintegration and reentry services for women.
• CIC-NJ (Corrections Information Council)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing information and resources for corrections-related programs.
• HBBKV (Women's Rights Organization)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting women's rights and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NJ Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC): NJSBDC is a federally funded SBDC providing no-cost business counseling and training across New Jersey. It is an explicit WCEC partner and overlapping service provider serving the same geography and similar small business audience.
• Accion (Accion Opportunity Fund): Accion Opportunity Fund is a national CDFI providing small business loans, coaching, and education to underserved entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities. It is directly comparable to WCEC's blend of training and capital access services.
• Rising Tide Capital: Jersey City-based nonprofit providing business development training and coaching for underserved entrepreneurs; an active WCEC partner and a comparable community-focused entrepreneur support organization in New Jersey.
• Grameen America: Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization focused on helping low-income women entrepreneurs through small loans and financial education. It is a WCEC partner and directly comparable in mission, particularly for women-owned small businesses.
• Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE): CWE is a nonprofit Women's Business Center operating across the Northeast (MA, RI, VT, NH) with very similar programming: business counseling, classes, accelerators for women entrepreneurs. It is the most directly comparable peer to WCEC in mission and operating model.
• Women's Initiative for Self Employment (WISE): WISE is a California-based nonprofit Women's Business Center providing entrepreneurship training, counseling, and microloans for low-income women. It mirrors WCEC's mission of empowering women entrepreneurs through education and support services.
• SCORE Foundation: SCORE is the SBA's flagship volunteer mentor network offering free business mentoring and low-cost workshops nationwide. WCEC partners with and refers clients to SCORE, but SCORE also competes for the same small business owner audience in New Jersey.

Broad incumbents

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): WBENC is a national nonprofit certifying and supporting women-owned businesses through corporate partnerships and supplier diversity. It overlaps with WCEC's women entrepreneur audience but focuses on certification and corporate access rather than training.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): NAWBO is the largest dues-based membership organization for women business owners in the US, offering advocacy, networking, and education nationally. It serves a similar audience but operates as a broader advocacy/membership model rather than direct service delivery.

Others

• Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC): AWBC is the national industry association of WBCs, of which WCEC is a member. It sets standards, advocates for funding, and provides the Excellence certification WCEC holds—more of an ecosystem body than a peer, but materially relevant to WCEC's positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WCECNJ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/wcecnj
• Facebookfacebook.com/wcecnj
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wcec-nj
• Instagraminstagram.com/wcecnj

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women's Center for Entrepreneurship