Global Trade, Powered by Women

At World Trade Center Delaware, we’re honoring International Women’s Day by converting visibility into export deals, market access, and measurable growth for women-led companies across the state.

Why this is a strategic priority for WTC Delaware

When the World Trade Centers Association issued its International Women’s Day Call to Action, World Trade Center Delaware had to turn the moment into action because Delaware’s women-owned incorporated businesses aren’t a feel-good feature. They’re a global growth engine.

Women own about one-third of businesses globally, yet their participation in international trade remains under-leveraged creating one of the largest unlockable opportunities for export growth worldwide. In Delaware, women own ~42% of businesses (approximately 30,400 companies), representing a ready pipeline of high-potential exporters across priority sectors. 

Our role is to reduce structural obstacles, increase resources, and create credible pathways so businesses can move from interest to execution.

Our Results-Driven Call to Action

• Women Exporter Pipeline (IWD Week Launch): We’re building a targeted pipeline of women-led companies ready to export or scale internationally, with a clear next-step plan for each participant (market targeting, go-to-market pathway, and support needs).
• Export Acceleration Office Hours: Dedicated 1:1 advisory sessions focused on outcomes—market selection, partner introductions through the WTCA network, trade resources, and export readiness actions businesses can implement immediately.
• Women in Trade Connector Roundtable: A structured connector session pairing women-led firms with export enablers (logistics, compliance, financing, and service partners) and international contacts to generate qualified leads and actionable introductions.
• Spotlight with Purpose: We’ll highlight up to three Delaware women-led companies in global trade, selected as honorees from the nomination pool. Each honoree will receive a feature story as part of a formal news release, dedicated social media recognition, and inclusion in a press release issued in April. The objective is to drive partnerships, procurement conversations, and market-entry opportunities—not just recognition.

March 8th marks the public announcement of this initiative, with the nomination window open through Friday, March 27, 2026.

How to participate

Nominate a women-led business (or yourself) and share one target market + one export objective for 2026. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 27, 2026.

Direct nominations should be submitted at the following link: https://web.wtcde.org/atlas/forms/prospect/7

WTC Delaware will align selected participants with the right resources and introductions to move from intention to international growth—because “we the people” are the most powerful voice.

Nomination criteria (WTC Delaware – International Women’s Day)

Eligibility

• Delaware-based company (headquartered in DE or with a significant DE operating presence).
• Women-led (meets at least one):
  • Woman founder/co-founder and active in leadership, or
  • Woman CEO/President/Managing Partner, or
  • ≥51% woman-owned.

Export readiness

• Fits at least one:
  • Currently exporting, or
  • Actively preparing to export within the next 6–12 months, or
  • Seeking to expand into new international markets.

Strategic fit

• Clear product/service offering with a defined customer or industry use case.
• Ability to support growth responsibly (capacity, supply chain, or delivery plan).

Required nomination details

• Company name, website, and primary contact.
• Brief description (1–2 sentences) of product/service.
• One target market (country/region) and one 2026 export goal (e.g., distributor, first purchase order, partner MOU, regulatory pathway, licensing, etc.).
• Top 1–2 support needs (e.g., market research, introductions, financing, compliance, logistics).

Selection priorities (if nominations exceed slots)

• Companies with specific, time-bound export objectives.
• Potential for near-term outcomes (qualified introductions, partner conversations, pilot opportunities).
• Diversity across sectors (e.g., biotech, food/ag, manufacturing, consumer goods, services).
• Commitment to participate in one WTC Delaware activity (office hours, roundtable, or follow-up).