Thanks for the comment Chantielle!

The link to the breakdown didn’t work but I looked through the Overview to read about the changes they made to this years competition. I think the changes are great! For readers who don’t know, the W100 is an annual list of Canada’s top women entrepreneurs. There is also a Profit 100 of Canada’s top entrepreneurs but that list is usually dominated by men. Here is what Profit Magazine says about this year’s W100:

“In many ways, female entrepreneurs have the odds stacked against them. They are more likely to be turned down for bank financing. They have to balance their work with their family life. And they still face long-outdated stereotypes about the types of companies they run.

Despite the obstacles, however, female entrepreneurship is thriving in Canada. Since 1997, women in Canada have started companies at about twice the rate of men. Women are driving some of this country’s most dynamic and robust businesses — and you’ll find the leaders of many of those firms on this year’s PROFIT W100, our list of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs.

Now in its 11th year, the PROFIT W100 has become bigger and more inclusive. Previously based on annual company revenue alone, the 2009 W100 also takes the firm’s growth rate and profitability into account, allowing smaller companies to be recognized for their achievements; indeed, 36% of this year’s honourees are new to the list. We’ve also launched a new ranking of 10 up-and-coming women entrepreneurs whose companies are still in the emerging phase. (See “Ones to Watch”).”

Natalie – Profit just released the 2009 W100 list here: http://list.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/w100/2009/ranking/Default.aspx?sp2=2&sc1=0&d1=a

This year’s competition was a bit different (see the breakdown here: http://list.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/w100/2009/canadas-top-women-entrepreneurs/article.aspx?id=20091009_114056_9736)

There are some big money earners on this list, but of course, it’s nothing compared to the Profit 100…

I just wanted to note that there aren’t a whole lot of credible statistics about women and entrepreneurship, probably because this is a fairly recent phenomenon. I noticed that most of the stats available come from the Center for Women’s Business Research and the Kauffman Foundation. More research is needed to find out about the growing number of women entrepreneurs and the reasons why women start businesses. I look forward to seeing what women entrepreneurs achieve in the future!