Frequently Asked Questions
What does Prowess do?
Prowess (Promoting Women's Enterprise Support) is a UK-wide alliance enabling women to start and grow businesses.
Prowess supports member organisations - who work directly with businesses/clients - to develop and improve their services for women. We also keep them informed of Government priorities and opportunities, advocate on their behalf and provide opportunities to get together, share best practice and learn about new approaches.
We work to raise awareness of the needs of women business owners more broadly - and to promote success stories to inspire other women.
I'm an entrepreneur - how can Prowess help me?
Prowess can put you in touch with high quality, appropriate business support in your area. See our business support page for more information.
If you own an enterprise in professional services you may like to consider joining Prowess under our new membership category 'Business 2 Business', for all details contact Admin
Of course, it may be more a case of how you can help other aspiring women entrepreneurs by acting as a role model to inspire other women. See our Inspirations page for more information.
I'm an academic/researcher - how can Prowess help me?
Prowess will keep you informed of the broader issues and events in the women's enterprise movement.
We'll disseminate your research to an active community and provide opportunities to network.
Prowess publishes regular policy briefings and relevant research abstracts. For further information contact Jo Makepeace
Does Prowess only work with women, and why women?
Improving business support services for women can be in either a mixed gender/mainstream environment or a targeted women only approach.
Services adapted particularly for low-income women will also benefit other disadvantaged groups who need long-term confidence boosting to underpin business development e.g. long-term unemployed men.
Women are under-represented in business ownership in the UK. Research indicates that 27% of the self-employed in the UK are women (ONS Labour Force Survey) and less than 8% of high-growth businesses are owned by women.
In the USA, they have invested significant resources and succeeded in increasing the numbers of women starting businesses. The whole economy benefits in terms of increased jobs and prosperity.
Who is Prowess?
Established in 2002, Prowess is driven by its members. Prowess is non-profit making and a company limited by guarantee.
Who funds Prowess?
Prowess operates as a sustainable social enterprise. Our income comes from a variety of contracts and through income from our own training and development services.
Where is Prowess and how can I get in touch?
Administration HQ is in Norwich but Prowess operates as a virtual company with Board Members located around the country, close to our membership.
Tel: +44 (0)1603 762355
Email: admin@prowess.org.uk