BySenators Kuderer, Das, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Hunt, Liias, Wellman, Wilson, C., Carlyle, Fortunato, Keiser, Lovelett, and Salomon

WHEREAS, Women in Cloud is a community-led, economic development organization founded in Seattle, Washington working to generate one billion dollars in new economic access for women-led technology entrepreneurs across the globe by 2030; and

WHEREAS, Women in Cloud continues to successfully create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs through innovative partnerships with tech companies, community leaders, and law making institutions; and

WHEREAS, The technology sector has proven invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving many employers the ability to continue operations with employees working from their homes while the public health crisis continues; and

WHEREAS, A recent survey of women tech entrepreneurs reported an expected average loss of up to five million dollars per company in economic opportunity over the next three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Small business owners will need economic relief to ensure their survival; and

WHEREAS, As economic relief efforts for small businesses continue during and after the pandemic, it is important for such relief efforts to be carried out in an equitable manner; and

WHEREAS, The Women in Cloud organization will play a vital role in the economic recovery period working to ensure women-owned enterprises continue to survive and thrive postpandemic; and

WHEREAS, The Women in Cloud Accelerator Program provides resources, consultation, networking connections, and global platforms for women-led companies; and

WHEREAS, The Women in Cloud Annual Conference has seen tremendous growth in popularity in just three years with its inaugural conference hosting 450 participants, to an expected global attendance of more than 2,000 for this year's conference; and

WHEREAS, Through the creation of new partnerships in regions beyond the Pacific Northwest, Women in Cloud has expanded their accelerator program to eight other countries around the world; and

WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature encourages other legislatures across the nation and governing bodies in other countries to partner with Women in Cloud to ensure women-led technology firms have equitable access to economic opportunity for generations to come;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the value of this initiative to inspire, empower, and accelerate the growth of women-led technology companies and promote the efforts of women entrepreneurs and leaders; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021, to be held virtually on January 28 through 30, 2021.