Inc.’s eighth annual Female Founders list highlights the nation’s top business leaders who challenge the status quo to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems
RAHWAY, N.J., March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced its eighth annual Female Founders list, honoring a bold group of 500 women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward. These resilient entrepreneurs expressed grit and drive to collectively attract approximately $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding.
Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders who are challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, and cull applicants through three rounds of judging, looking specifically at an entrepreneur’s bona fides in the past year. Criteria include quantifiable metrics such as revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, and audience size. Inc. also looks for qualitative metrics including social media momentum and stories of impact.
Honoree selection is also honed through the evaluation of the program’s advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Dany Garcia, founder, CEO, and chairperson of the Garcia Companies; Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.
“Being named to Inc.’s 2025 Female Founders 500 List is an incredible honor and a meaningful milestone in my journey. As a founder, my journey has been fueled by the desire to create lasting impact, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a legacy that empowers others,” says Dreena Whitfield-Brown, Founder and CEO of WhitPR. “This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the resilience of women entrepreneurs who continue to break barriers and redefine industries, as well as the collective dedication of my team at WhitPR. I am proud to stand alongside such trailblazing women who are shaping the future of business with innovation, purpose, and unwavering determination.”
The founders cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, or spending decades at the helm of an organization.
For over a decade, WhitPR has stood at the intersection of culture, communication, and impact. Founded by Dreena Whitfield-Brown, this integrated communications agency has redefined how brands connect with multicultural audiences through authentic storytelling and strategic engagement. As a full-service agency, WhitPR brings together a dynamic team of over 10 specialists – from strategic communicators to content producers – who share a singular vision: shaping and amplifying narratives that drive measurable brand success while advancing cultural conversations.
Dreena’s journey to becoming one of PR Week’s “40 Under 40” and a Top Woman in PR began with a simple yet powerful mission: to create space for stories that celebrate Black culture while supporting marginalized communities. This commitment has evolved into a comprehensive approach that combines public relations, influencer engagement, and experiential marketing to craft resonant narratives for cultural creators, moments, and movements. The agency’s expertise spans crisis communications, social media strategy, and integrated marketing campaigns. Recognized by Inc., PR Net and PR News, the agency continues to pioneer strategies that connect brands with multicultural audiences while fostering social impact.
“Female founders know what struggle is, but they’re also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year’s list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress,” said Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom. Several honorees will be featured in Inc. magazine’s Female Founders issue, on newsstands March 18, 2025. To see the complete list of honorees, please visit: https://www.inc.com/female-founders
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
About WhitPR
WhitPR is an integrated strategic communications agency committed to shaping and amplifying culture-driven narratives that drive measurable success. With wit and determination, our talented team of communicators, marketers, and strategists merge Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative strategies to authentically tell brand stories that reach the right audience and generate measurable results that aid overall business goals. At WhitPR we are champions of cultural creators, moments, and movements. As a result, we have mastered connecting brands to multicultural audiences. Through our work, we aim to move the needle in shaping and amplifying stories that not only celebrate Black culture but also support the advancement of marginalized communities.
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SOURCE WhitPR
