Last updated: April 4, 2026
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program is a free, world class online business education initiative designed to provide female entrepreneurs with the practical skills and global network needed to scale their companies. This guide covers what the 2026 program includes, how it helps with financial management, and why it is a vital resource for small business owners in Los Angeles and beyond.
At Books LA, we often talk to women business owners who have incredible products or services but feel they lack the formal business training to reach the next level. Whether you are managing a growing boutique in Santa Monica or a tech startup in Silver Lake, finding high quality, no cost education is a rare win. The 10,000 Women program fills that gap by offering a curriculum that rivals top tier business schools.
What is the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program?
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is a global program that has already reached over 200,000 women across 150 countries. It is fully funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, meaning there is no tuition fee for participants. The program is designed to be flexible, offering an online 10 course series that you can complete at your own pace.
For 2026, the program continues to focus on practical, actionable education. It is not just about theory. Each module is designed to help you create a "Business Growth Plan" that you can implement the moment you finish the course. This makes it particularly valuable for owners who are currently working in their business and need to transition to working on their business.
What does the 10 course curriculum cover?
The curriculum is structured to address every major pillar of a successful enterprise. If you have ever felt like you are "winging it" in certain areas, these courses provide the structure you need.
- Developing a Business Growth Plan: Learning how to set a long term vision.
- Leadership and Management: Growing from a founder into a CEO.
- Marketing and Sales: Finding your target audience and closing deals.
- Financial Management: Understanding your numbers.
- Operations and Processes: Building the systems that allow for scale.
- Negotiation: Mastering the art of the deal with vendors and clients.
- Human Resources: How to hire and retain a winning team.
- Financing and Capital: Learning about the various ways to fund your growth.
- Pitching Your Business: Being able to tell your story to investors.
- Action Planning: Putting everything together into a final strategy.
Why the financial management module is a priority
As a bookkeeping firm, we naturally emphasize the financial management module. Many business owners come to us because they are confused by their Profit and Loss statements or they are not sure how to forecast their cash flow.
The 10,000 Women program teaches you how to read your financial statements and use that data to make better decisions. It covers key metrics like gross margin and break even points. While we provide bookkeeping services to handle the heavy lifting, having an owner who understands these concepts makes the partnership much more effective. When you understand the "why" behind the numbers, you can spot opportunities for growth that others might miss.
Is the program really free?
Yes. The online version of the program is completely free and available to any woman who owns or manages a business. Goldman Sachs covers the cost of the educators and the platform. There are no hidden fees or "upsells" at the end of the modules.
The primary investment required from you is your time. Each course takes a few hours to complete, and the entire series can be finished over several weeks or months depending on your schedule. For an LA business owner, this is an incredible ROI: the cost is zero, but the potential increase in revenue and efficiency is significant.
How does this program help with scaling?
Scaling a business is different from just growing it. Growth means your revenue and your expenses are going up at the same rate. Scaling means your revenue is growing much faster than your costs.
The 10,000 Women program focuses on the "Business Growth Plan" which is a roadmap for scaling. By teaching you how to build better operations and how to negotiate better contracts, the program gives you the tools to increase your margins. For example, if you learn how to better manage your supply chain in the operations module, those savings drop directly to your bottom line.
Networking and mentorship opportunities
One of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs is the "loneliness at the top." It can be hard to find a peer group that understands the specific challenges of running a business.
The 10,000 Women program connects you to a massive alumni network. Graduates often cite the community as the most valuable part of the experience. You gain access to:
- Global networking events.
- Mentorship from industry leaders.
- A peer group of women who are at the same stage of business as you.
This network can be a source of new clients, potential partners, or simply a safe space to ask questions about leadership and management.
Practical example: Applying the lessons to an LA business
Let's look at a hypothetical scenario. Imagine Sarah runs a boutique catering company in Los Angeles. She is busy every weekend, but she feels like she isn't taking home enough profit.
Through the 10,000 Women program, Sarah takes the Financial Management module. She realizes she hasn't been accounting for the "invisible" costs of her staff's travel time between venues. She then uses the Negotiation module to talk to her food suppliers and secures a 5% discount by committing to a larger volume of orders.
Finally, she uses the Leadership module to delegate the menu planning to a head chef, freeing up ten hours of her week to focus on high end corporate sales. By the end of the year, Sarah hasn't just worked harder; she has worked smarter, and her business is more profitable because of these specific, actionable changes.
How to apply for the 2026 cohort
The program is open for applications year round, but there are specific start dates for the facilitated versions of the course. For the May 2026 cohort, you should look into the application process now.
To be eligible, you generally need to be a woman who owns or manages a business that has been in operation for at least a year. While there are no strict revenue requirements for the online version, the content is most beneficial for those who already have a proof of concept and are ready to grow.
You can find more information on the official Goldman Sachs website or by looking through our about page for other resources we recommend to our clients.
Final thoughts on professional growth
Investing in your own education is one of the best moves you can make as a CEO. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program provides a structured, high quality path to doing exactly that.
As you go through the program and begin to see your business numbers in a new light, you might find you need more robust support to keep your records clean. If you find yourself needing professional help with your monthly close services, we are here to help. Our goal at Books LA is to ensure your books are as professional and ready for growth as you are.
IRS/Tax Disclaimer: Books LA does not provide income tax advice. We focus on bookkeeping and internal financial management. For all income tax matters, we recommend working with a qualified CPA. We are happy to work alongside your CPA to provide them with the accurate financial records they need for your tax filings.
About the Author
Jelena Arkula is the owner of Books LA, a professional bookkeeping firm based in Los Angeles, California. With years of experience helping small businesses navigate their finances using tools like QuickBooks Online (QBO) and Xero, Jelena is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs through financial clarity. She believes that good bookkeeping is the foundation of every successful business scale-up strategy.
FAQ: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program
Does the program really cost nothing?
Yes, the program is fully funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation. There are no tuition fees for the online 10 course series.
Do I need to live in a specific city to join?
No. While there are some in person cohorts in specific countries like India, the online program is available to women entrepreneurs globally, including those in Los Angeles.
How much time do I need to commit each week?
Most participants spend about 3 to 5 hours per week on the modules. Since the online version is self paced, you can adjust this to fit your business schedule.
Is there a revenue requirement to apply?
For the general online program, there is no strict minimum revenue. However, the material is designed for businesses that are already operational rather than those in the "idea phase."
Will Goldman Sachs give me a loan or a grant after the program?
The program does not provide direct grants. However, it does provide "pathways to capital" by teaching you how to prepare for financing and connecting you with potential lenders or investors.
Do I get a certificate when I finish?
Yes, graduates of the program receive a certificate of completion from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women.
Can I participate if I am a solo entrepreneur?
Yes. Whether you have a team of twenty or you are currently a "solopreneur" looking to make your first hire, the leadership and operations modules are highly relevant.
What language is the program offered in?
The program is available in several languages including English, Spanish, French, and Hindi.
How do I know if my business is ready for this?
If you have been in business for at least a year and feel like you have hit a plateau or are unsure how to manage your growth, you are likely ready for this program.
Do I need an accounting background for the financial module?
Not at all. The module is designed for business owners, not accountants. It teaches you how to use financial data to lead, not how to do the data entry.
If you are looking for help getting your financials ready for a program like this, feel free to contact us for a bookkeeping review.
