Goldman Sachs is preparing to host its third 10,000 Small Businesses Summit, scheduled for October 29-30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This significant event marks a dual celebration: fifteen years since the inception of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and five years of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices policy advocacy initiative. This upcoming summit is anticipated to be the largest gathering of small business owners in the United States, providing a platform to commemorate 15 years of impact and to strategically position these businesses for sustained growth and success in the years ahead.
The summit’s agenda is carefully crafted to offer a comprehensive experience for participants. Attendees can look forward to hearing from inspiring keynote speakers who will share valuable insights and perspectives. Some networking opportunities will enable small business owners to connect, share experiences, and forge new relationships. Furthermore, extensive educational programming will be provided, featuring sessions on crucial topics such as the integration of Artificial Intelligence in business operations, strategies for accessing vital capital, effective exit planning, and methods for fostering strong employee retention.
A particularly impactful component of the summit will involve participants engaging in hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill. During these discussions, small business owners will advocate for their interests, striving to secure a meaningful voice in the development of policies that directly influence their future. Their advocacy will focus on an agenda designed to empower them to compete effectively and achieve growth.
Some of the key priorities for this advocacy include expanding access to capital, strengthening the workforce, and enhancing overall competitiveness. Additionally, it aims to increase opportunities specifically for small manufacturers and ensure that small businesses are equipped with the necessary tools, training, and support to adopt and deploy Artificial Intelligence successfully.
Since its launch in 2010, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to fostering meaningful and measurable growth among small businesses across America. To date, the program has allocated an impressive $750 million in support, benefiting a vast network of over 17,000 alumni representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Emphasizing its dedication to reaching small businesses in every corner of the nation, Goldman Sachs announced a substantial $100 million investment in 2023. This investment is specifically aimed at expanding the program’s reach into rural states, with the goal of establishing a presence in 20 predominantly rural states within five years. So far, this expansion has successfully brought the program to 12 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
In addition to these achievements, Goldman Sachs is also celebrating five years of its Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices initiative. Launched during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic period, Voices serves as the firm’s dedicated small business advocacy arm. Through its efforts, the initiative has facilitated more than 1,800 meetings with policymakers, playing a crucial role in ensuring that small business owners have a significant presence and a seat at the table when important policy decisions are being considered, both in Washington, D.C., and across the nation.
Speakers at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit will include:
– David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs
– Michael Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. & Bloomberg Philanthropies and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Advisory Council Co-Chair
– Michael Phelps, 23-Time Gold Medalist, Mental Health Advocate, & Founder of the Michael Phelps Foundation
– Nancy Twine, Founder of Briogeo & Makers Mindset
– John Hess, Former Chairman and CEO of Hess Corporation
– Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani
– Kelly Loeffler, 28th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration
– Ken Langone, Co-Founder of The Home Depot
– Kat Cole, CEO of AG1; Strategic Advisor; Investor
– Ethan Mollick, Innovation Expert & Artificial Intelligence Thought Leader; Professor of Entrepreneurship at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
– Anastasia Soare, Founder and CEO of Anastasia Beverly Hills
KEY QUOTES:
“The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and have a seat at the table on Capitol Hill. With more than 2,300 small business owners already committed to join us in Washington, D.C., this gathering of small businesses will be a celebration of the program’s 15 years of driving impact.”
David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs
“As thousands of small business owners come to our nation’s capital for the Summit, we are investing in the beating heart of the American economy. For 15 years, 10,000 Small Businesses has invested in American ingenuity by providing small businesses with a best-in-class education, access to capital and a platform for advocacy that helps fuel job creation and economic growth. Their collective power and potential is tremendous.”
Asahi Pompey, Global Head of Corporate Engagement and Chair of the Urban Investment Group
