Our Impact
Learn more about how KS WELI empowers women to lead and encourages the world to follow (literally). Discover how Kendra's vision came to life—and where we’re headed. We're just getting started.
View the Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Impact Yearbook!
Read the Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Impact Yearbook to explore the events, programs, and student-led initiatives hosted this past semester by the
Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute.
Since Fall 2021, the KS WELI impact includes...
$120,000+
In Scholarshipsto support and empower early stage startups
4,500+
INDIVIDUALSequipped with the tools they need to be successful in the business world.
82+
Startups Supported
106+
FoundHERS Empowered
KS WELI
2023 Awards & Recognition
Award Winner at UN Global Purpose World Logic Day
Awarded the Social Entrepreneurship SIG Award
Founding Director, Lesley Robinson accepted into USASBE Doctoral Consortium
Pillars of the Forty Acres Exemplary Status Award from the Office of the Dean of Students
#2
Undergraduate Programs for Entrepreneurship
Princeton Review 2023
#14
Undergraduate Female Founders
Pitchbook 2022
KS WELI is FoundHER Focused
Redefine
leadership and entrepreneurship
Build Community
that is diverse, inclusive, and welcomingEmpower & Equip
students through creativity & innovation
Represent
what a founder looks like to inspire women interested in entrepreneurship
Challenge
barriers women may face
Grow
the number of women-owned & women-led businessesAccomplishments During the 2022-2023 Academic Year
18
Programs
68
FoundHERS Empowered
4
Signature Events
20
Student Board Leaders Equipped
4
Sponsored Courses50
STUDENT COUNCIL LEADERS EMPOWERED152
Students Equipped Through Courses
21
Alumni Board Members EngagedOur Associations and Memberships
KS WELI on the Road
The KS WELI team proudly shares our mission to increase the number of women-owned and women-led businesses at speaking engagements and conferences beyond The University of Texas.
KS WELI In The News
August 23, 2022
Kendra Scott WEL Institute at The University of Texas at Austin
November 15, 2022
Female Founders Still Face an Uphill Battle Fundraising and it is Getting Worse
October 3, 2022
Kendra Scott Shares Story of Struggle and Success In Her Book “Born To Shine”
September 26, 2022
Jewelry Mogul Kendra Scott Finds Beauty in the Imperfect
September 21, 2022
UT LaunchPad launches new grants for undergraduate student startups
August 26, 2022
Hera Biotech Raises $1.9M in Seed Funding for Its Non-surgical Diagnostic Test for Endometriosis
August 25, 2022
Women in Business Awards: Sheena Wilde shows how corporate philanthropy is done
April 28, 2022
Julianne Hough Shares Her Favorite Jewelry Gifts for Any Occasion
April 7, 2022
Kendra Scott invests $13.25 million in UT to support women in business
February 11, 2022
Kendra Scott establishes $13M endowment to support female leaders
March 28, 2022
Kendra Scott’s philanthropic investment in UT Austin expands support for women business leaders of the future – UT News
September 10, 2022
Putting Creative Futures at the Front
December 16, 2022
A gem of experiential learning prepares the next generation of jewelry designers
November 3, 2022
UT Austin Ranks Among World’s Best for Producing Entrepreneurs
March 8, 2023
SXSW EDU and Kendra Scott shine light on the struggles women face as entrepreneurs
February 24, 2023
