Leading Wall Street financial player Goldman Sachs is set to host the largest gathering of small business owners next month in Washington, D.C. This summit is part of Goldman Sachs’ ongoing commitment towards helping small businesses prepare for growth.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit

Commencing from Oct. 29 to Oct. 30, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit will feature enlightening sessions and networking opportunities. This will allow thousands of entrepreneurs to interact with business leaders and champion small business needs on Capitol Hill. The lineup of influential speakers includes Goldman’s CEO, David Solomon, a long-time advocate for small businesses, viewing them as a crucial component of the wider economy.

Notable speakers such as Kelly Loeffler, the head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Olympian Michael Phelps, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, AG1 CEO Kat Cole, financial organizer for Home Depot Ken Langone, Hess Corporation CEO John Hess, Briogeo CEO Nancy Twine, Anastasia Beverly Hills CEO Anastasia Soare, Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya and Wharton professor Ethan Mollick will join Solomon in the keynote speeches.

Educational Programming and Networking Opportunities

The summit aims to equip business owners with access to capital, enhance their workforce competitiveness, and furnish them with the tools to successfully adopt artificial intelligence. Its educational sessions will emphasize practical strategies for implementing AI, securing capital, planning exits, and retaining employees.

Summit attendees will engage in meetings on Capitol Hill, advocating for an agenda that enables them to compete and grow. Solomon highlights this event as a unique chance for business owners to connect and gain a “seat at the table.”

Goldman Sachs’ Continued Support for Small Businesses

This is the third Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit and is predicted to be their largest gathering of small business owners to date. Goldman Sachs initiated their 10,000 Small Businesses program 15 years ago, offering business owners 12 weeks of intensive learning, networking, mentorship, and access to capital.

Impacting Small Businesses Nationwide

Since the program’s inception in 2010, Goldman Sachs has invested $750 million in supporting measurable small business growth across America. Over 17,000 businesses have graduated from the program, employing more than 245,000 people and generating over $17 billion in annual revenue.

Moreover, within six months of leaving the program, 66% of alumni grow their revenue, 44% add new employees, and 85% of alumni collaborate with each other. With more than 17,000 alumni from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., the program provides ample support to each other and upcoming generations of business owners.

Goldman Sachs’ Investment in Rural Small Businesses

In 2023, Goldman Sachs announced a $100 million investment to broaden its programs in rural states over the coming five years. This is to enable rural small businesses to participate in Goldman’s business education program and gain access to capital.

A Goldman Sachs survey reveals that 86% of small businesses in rural communities intend to grow their business, but only 7% believe they are receiving adequate private sector resources to support growth. Consequently, Goldman’s investment in rural small businesses is indeed a strategic and timely move.