9 Women-Run Companies to Invest In

The number of women-fronted companies is growing and these are at the head of the pack

Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez

Women-owned companies in the U.S. are growing at more than double the rate of other firms. These companies contribute nearly $3 trillion to the economy with direct responsibility for 23 million jobs.

There are more opportunities to add their businesses to your stock portfolio as women gain a bigger stake in the corporate world.

Key Takeaways

• Women-owned businesses contribute nearly $3 trillion to the U.S. economy and are responsible for 23 million jobs.
• Women hold just 15% of the Fortune 500 CEO positions but they make up more than half of the U.S. population.
• Having more women on the boards of companies translates to less excessive risk-taking and improves companies’ reputations, earning quality, and sustainability performance.
• Investing in women-owned and -run businesses can help increase diversity and inclusion in American corporations.

Reasons to Invest in Women-Owned/Led Businesses

Many everyday investors want to put their money into businesses that align with their values whether that’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing or female- or minority-owned companies. Investing in women-owned businesses can make a difference in increasing diversity and representation in corporate America.

Women make up more than half of the U.S. population but held just 10.4% of CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies as of February 2025. Only 6.1% of chief executives in the country were Black in 2024 despite making up approximately 13.7% of the population.

Women-founded companies received only a tiny 1.0% slice of total venture capital funding in the U.S. in 2025.

Boston Consulting Group study found that startups founded and cofounded by women performed better over time than those founded by men. They generated 10% more in cumulative revenue over five years.

Note

Having more women on the board of a company tends to mean less excessive risk-taking as well as improved firm reputation, earnings quality, and sustainability performance, according to S&P Global.

Top Women-Owned and Women-Run Businesses

1. Arista Networks

Arista Networks (ANET) leads the industry in cloud-to-client networking for large data centers and campus and routing environments. The company serves more than 10,000 cloud customers including global Fortune 500 companies. CEO Jayshree Ullal led the company to a historic multibillion-dollar IPO in June 2014.

The company continues to expand at a blistering pace under her leadership. Earnings growth is an important metric to consider when valuing a stock and it looks extremely promising for Arista with a 27% growth rate from 2018 through 2023. Return on equity (ROE) for shareholders was at an impressive 29% in 2023.

2. Chart Industries

CEO Jillian Evanko leads Chart Industries (GTLS), a top manufacturer of cryogenic gas processing and storage equipment. Evanko took charge in 2018 after serving as CFO and chief accounting officer which is particularly significant for a company that heavily relies on acquisitions.

Chart’s stock has doubled since 2019 thanks to solid financial expertise and leadership, Evanko attributes the company’s success in large part to their market dominance and high demand for services. Chart acquired Howden in 2022, a company larger than Chart in terms of revenues.

3. The Hershey Company

Hershey (HSY), the confectionery giant, has proved to be a delectable investment under the leadership of CEO Michele Buck. A stalwart at the company since 2005, Buck took over as CEO and board chair in March 2018. She served 17 years at Kraft/Nabisco in numerous senior positions and at the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo before joining Hershey in 2005.

Her extensive experience in consumer packaged goods has paid off for the company. Hershey’s stock has nearly tripled since Buck joined the executive team in 2016, reaching a high of $274.04 in May 2023 although it’s at $179.54 in mid-March of 2025. The stock has nonetheless seen sustained growth as the company has cemented its position in the market through over 20 acquisitions. 

4. Progressive Corp

Progressive was already known as a giant in the insurance field but its status has grown since Tricia Griffith took charge. Griffith joined the company over 35 years ago and worked her way up through several leadership positions before becoming CEO in 2016.

The company trades under Progressive Corp (PGR) and its stock has a five-year price total return of 295.21% as of March 2025. Progressive stock and revenue performance has held strong through economic turmoil and market uncertainty perhaps thanks to its product being a basic need. The company’s annual revenue for 2023 was $75.34B as of March 2025.

5. Zoetis

Zoetis (ZTS) was once part of Pfizer. It’s a leading animal health company that produces medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics. CEO Kristin Peck played a pivotal role in Zoetis’ 2013 IPO and has led the company since 2020. She was been recognized by Barron’s as one of the top CEOs in 2022 and by Fortune as a 2020 Businessperson of the Year.

Global trends favor Zoetis based on increased spending on livestock healthcare and growing pet ownership. Zoetis delivered a solid 35% in total returns under Peck’s leadership, exceeding the 26% S&P 500 returns for 2023. Returns have dropped in 2024 and 2025, however.

Earnings per share, a key management metric, have grown consistently since 2011 with a 7.89% increase year-over-year for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2024. 

6. Sunrun

Sunrun (RUN) is the nation’s leading home solar, battery storage, and energy services company and it’s both women-led and co-founded. CEO Mary Powell has run the company since August 2021. Co-founder and co-executive chair Lynn Jurich held the top position before that.

There are compelling financial reasons to invest in Sunrun beyond feeling good about supporting sustainable energy. The stock has seen some volatility but analysts remain bullish on this buy. The stock crossed above its 200-day moving average of $16.24 in December 2023 with some trades going as high as $18.54 per share. The 200-day moving average is an important indicator for investors who are looking to spot mid- and long-term trends.

7. Accenture

Accenture (ACN) has been led by CEO Julie Sweet since 2019. It’s a global IT services giant excelling in consulting and outsourcing. Accenture challenges smaller firms in innovation and expertise with a vast workforce and numerous diamond accounts,

The company benefits from the pairing of a solid reputation and steady, sustainable growth. It’s built a considerable economic moat with more than $66.3 billion in revenue as of March 2025 and a client list that includes more than 75% of the global top 500 companies. 

8. Eventbrite

Co-founder and CEO Julia Hartz leads vision, strategy, and growth at Eventbrite (EB), the world’s largest ticketing and event technology platform. Eventbrite attributes its success to her leadership under which the company has received several awards including Fortune’s 100 Best Workplaces in the U.S., Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Best Places to Work, and San Francisco Business Times’ Best Places to Work in the SF Bay Area.

Hartz has been honored as one of Inc.’s Female Founders 100, Fortune’s 40 Under 40 business leaders, Inc.’s 35 Under 35, and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.

9. Veracyte

Veracyte (VCYT) founder Bonnie Anderson served as CEO from 2008 to 2016 before passing on the executive role to Marc Stapley. She remains active in the company via an executive chairman role. 

The global diagnostics company provides clinicians with insights and testing to help diagnose and treat cancer. The company boasts steady stock performance as well as revenue, income, and profit margins rising by 23.5%, 132.4%, and 126.3% respectively from 2023 through 2024.

What Qualifies As a Woman-Owned Business?

Qualifying for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program requires that a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. Women also must manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions.

Companies that meet this requirement can also apply for certification as a woman-owned business. Getting certified isn’t required but it entitles firms to federal contracts and economic resources.

How Do I Start Investing in Women-Owned Businesses?

The first step in adding women-owned or women-led businesses to your portfolio is to identify the companies you’re interested in. You should then track their performance, including stock activity, financial health, and any relevant news or events. You might also look at financial statements, earnings reports, and other relevant data. 

You can work with your brokerage platform or financial advisor to make a purchase if you’re ready to buy. You’ll have to specify the number of shares you want to purchase and the type of order you want such as a market order or a limit order.

Can I Invest Without Choosing Particular Companies?

You could invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on or includes female-owned companies instead of handpicking individual companies to invest in. An ETF contains multiple companies and may include a mixture of investment types like stocks, commodities, and bonds.

The Bottom Line

Buying stock in successful, women-led public companies presents an opportunity for everyday investors and for the companies they invest in. It contributes to more diversity and gender equality in corporate leadership.

Research suggests that businesses with diverse leadership may exhibit better long-term financial results. Be sure to research the company, including stock and overall financial performance before making any investment.

Disclosure: Investopedia does not provide investment advice. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment objectives before making investment decisions.