Albuquerque Ranked No. 8 in Nation for Women Entrepreneurs
March 23, 2026
ALBUQUERQUE – During Women’s History Month, Albuquerque earned national recognition as a top spot for women entrepreneurs. A new 2026 report from CoworkingCafe ranks Albuquerque eighth among the best mid-sized metropolitan areas in America for women-owned businesses.
“Women really push our economy forward: creating jobs, launching new ideas, and strengthening our community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This ranking affirms that they can succeed and lead in Albuquerque.”
The report highlights Albuquerque’s strong performance across several measures tied to entrepreneurial success. According to the report, women-owned businesses account for 26.7% of all firms in the metro area. Albuquerque also ranked sixth for employment at women-owned firms, which support 32,757 jobs.
“I’m incredibly thankful that I chose to start and grow my business in Albuquerque,” said Laurene Rodriguez, owner of Mariposa Marketing. “The support and opportunities that living in this city have given me, with the real programs and resources here for women entrepreneurs, make me feel like the community genuinely wants you to win. Locals have embraced a native New Mexican, Hispanic woman like me, and I am incredibly thankful for the chance to return the favor and make an impact here.”
The city supports entrepreneurs through programs that provide resources, training, and business development opportunities for local residents and small business owners. Through Job Training Albuquerque, one of the city’s signature workforce programs, 56.14% of enrollees are women, and 42% of participating businesses are woman-owned.
“Job Training Albuquerque helps open doors for women to build skills, grow businesses, and create new opportunities,” said Workforce Development Liaison Justin Hilliard. “Their success is shaping the future of our economy.”
“Albuquerque’s Small Business Office is here for women entrepreneurs at every stage, from just getting started to looking to grow,” said Senior Economic Advisor Frankie Hermosillo. “It is exciting to watch so many build something meaningful here in Albuquerque.”
The CoworkingCafe report analyzed more than 200 metro areas nationwide using indicators tied to women’s entrepreneurship, economic context, and labor and talent pool. Women-owned businesses now account for nearly 23% of all U.S. firms, underscoring the growing role women play in the national economy.
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