For women building businesses, advancing their careers, or exploring entrepreneurship, finding the right community can be just as important as developing the right business strategy.
This Saturday, October 17, 2026, Miami entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to connect with fellow founders, business professionals, and industry leaders at the fifth annual Female Founders Forum.
Organized by Women for Success and powered by Google, the event will take place at the University of Miami’s Newman Alumni Center in Coral Gables.
The forum is designed to provide practical business insights, networking opportunities, and access to a community focused on helping women launch and grow businesses.
An Event Focused on Women Building Businesses
The Female Founders Forum brings together entrepreneurs at different stages of their professional journeys.
Whether attendees are exploring their first business idea, growing an established company, or seeking new professional relationships, the event aims to create an environment for learning and collaboration.
According to the organizers, programming will include keynote presentations, expert panels, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
Topics are expected to include business funding, financial management, investing, and strategies for sustainable growth.
For early-stage entrepreneurs, these conversations can provide valuable insight into the practical realities of building a company.
For established founders, the forum offers an opportunity to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and connect with professionals across different industries.
Funding, Mentorship, and Business Growth
One of the event’s central themes is helping women access the resources needed to build and sustain businesses.
Women for Success is a nonprofit organization that supports women entrepreneurs through educational workshops, mentorship, small business grants, and its signature Business Shower initiatives.
The organization’s Business Shower Fund and Incubator Program are designed to provide resources and support for women-led businesses.
According to the event organizer, proceeds from the forum will help support these initiatives.
While attending the forum does not guarantee grant funding or acceptance into a business program, the event offers an opportunity to learn more about the organization’s mission and connect with individuals involved in supporting women entrepreneurs.
Meet Women Leading Across Industries
The forum’s announced speaker lineup includes entrepreneurs and professionals with experience in business development, law, finance, marketing, and organizational growth.
Among the speakers featured by the organizer are:
Lauren Marsicano, Esq. — Co-founder of Marsicano + Leyva PLLC and founder of Women for Success. Marsicano has built initiatives focused on mentorship, education, and business support for women entrepreneurs.
Ericka Arias-Bertani — Founder and CEO of Gira Business Development, with experience in marketing strategy, customer relationship management, and business growth.
Elizabeth Gonzalez — Founder and CEO of Specialty HR Consulting, supporting businesses with human resources strategy and workplace compliance.
Emily Barbe — Founder and CEO of Finance As A Verb (FAAV), a financial planning business focused on helping clients, including small business owners, make informed financial decisions.
The announced speakers bring perspectives from different areas of business, offering attendees opportunities to learn about challenges that extend beyond any single industry.
The final program and speaker participation remain subject to organizer updates.
Why This Matters for Women in STEM
Although the Female Founders Forum is not exclusively a STEM event, its focus on entrepreneurship, funding, and leadership makes it relevant to women working in technology, science, engineering, and innovation.
Technical expertise can be the foundation of a successful startup, but building a sustainable business also requires skills in finance, marketing, customer acquisition, operations, and strategic partnerships.
A scientist developing a commercial product, an engineer launching a consulting practice, or a technology professional exploring entrepreneurship may benefit from connecting with founders who have navigated similar business challenges.
Events like the Female Founders Forum also create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
A technology founder may meet a potential marketing partner. A researcher may connect with a business mentor. An entrepreneur may discover an organization offering educational resources or funding support.
These connections do not guarantee immediate results, but they can create pathways to future opportunities.
How to Make the Most of the Forum
For attendees planning to participate, preparation can help turn a networking event into a more meaningful professional experience.
Know what you’re looking for. Whether your goal is finding collaborators, learning about funding, meeting potential customers, or exploring mentorship, arrive with a clear objective.
Prepare a concise introduction. Be ready to explain who you are, what you’re building, and the type of connections or resources you’re seeking.
Ask thoughtful questions. Conversations about real business challenges can lead to stronger relationships than simply exchanging contact information.
Follow up after the event. Meaningful networking often begins after the initial introduction. A thoughtful follow-up message can help turn a brief conversation into an ongoing professional relationship.
Share what you learn. Bringing useful insights back to your professional community can extend the impact of attending.
Female Founders Forum 2026: Event Details
Event: Fifth Annual WFS Female Founders Forum 2026, Powered by Google
Organizer: Women for Success Inc.
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Venue: Newman Alumni Center, University of Miami
Address: 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Focus: Entrepreneurship, business funding, financial strategy, mentorship, leadership, and networking.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wfs-female-founders-forum-2026-powered-by-google-tickets-1987605253819
Ticket availability and current pricing should be confirmed directly through the registration page.
Building Businesses, Building Community
Entrepreneurship can offer tremendous opportunities for independence, innovation, and impact, but it can also involve uncertainty and isolation.
Access to mentorship, practical knowledge, and supportive professional networks can make a meaningful difference in how founders navigate those challenges.
The Female Founders Forum offers Miami’s entrepreneurial community an opportunity to learn, exchange experiences, and build relationships.
For women in STEM who are considering entrepreneurship or already building businesses, the event may provide a valuable connection between technical expertise and the broader skills required for business growth.
At Fems in STEM, we believe that visibility creates opportunities, but meaningful connections help turn those opportunities into lasting impact.
About Fems in STEM
Fems in STEM is an independent publication and professional community dedicated to celebrating and supporting women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Through founder stories, career opportunities, industry insights, and meaningful connections, Fems in STEM aims to increase visibility, create opportunities, and support women building impactful careers and businesses.
Community. Opportunity. Impact.
Website: https://femsinstem.com
Sources & Further Reading
1. Women for Success (2026). WFS Female Founders Forum 2026.
Official event information, including the schedule, venue, speakers, program themes, and the organization’s business-support initiatives.
2. Women for Success Inc. (2026). WFS Female Founders Forum 2026, Powered by Google.
Official Eventbrite registration page with event date, location, and ticketing information.
Editorial note: Fems in STEM is independently highlighting this event as a community opportunity and is not an organizer or official event partner. Event details are subject to change; readers should confirm registration and program information with Women for Success.
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