Come explore.
Enter free, shop small, meet founders, discover useful resources, and experience culture throughout the day.
Free & Open to the Public
Women Who Influence Summit · New York City
The Culture Lounge.
A public marketplace where small businesses, emerging brands, community resources, and culture meet. Shop. Discover. Connect. No Summit ticket is required.
More Than a Marketplace
Culture you can experience.
The Culture Lounge is the community-facing experience of the Women Who Influence Summit. It creates a welcoming space for New Yorkers to meet founders, shop local and underrepresented businesses, discover new products, connect with entrepreneur resources, and experience brand activations throughout the day. Music and creative moments bring New York culture into the experience.
Free community access. Visitors may enter the Culture Lounge without purchasing admission to the Summit’s ticketed programming. The Summit aims to welcome 1,000+ attendees. Registration may be requested for capacity planning and event updates.
Choose Your Path
Three ways to be part of the Lounge.
Come to discover, bring your business, or help create an experience that expands access for New York entrepreneurs.
Bring your business.
Share your products, services, or experience with a curated community of New Yorkers, founders, and supporters.
Build an activation.
Create access, entrepreneur resources, product discovery, or a memorable community moment inside the Culture Lounge.
Inside the Lounge
What you’ll find.
Shop Small
Discover products and services from local and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Meet the Founders
Connect directly with the people and stories behind growing brands.
Community & Brand Experiences
Connect with local businesses, meet community partners, and explore interactive brand experiences.
Business Resources
Planned resources include business-growth guidance, capital readiness, and contracting support.
Career & Workforce
Career guidance, résumé support, and connections to training and employment resources.
Content & Culture
Enjoy music, creative moments, conversations, and shareable experiences.
Participating resource providers and available services will be announced as they are confirmed.
The Small Business Marketplace
Meet the businesses moving culture forward.
The marketplace will spotlight a curated mix of businesses and founders across industries. Participating businesses and brands will be announced as the Summit approaches.
Beauty & Personal Care
Fashion & Accessories
Wellness
Food & Beverage
Home & Lifestyle
Creative & Professional Services
For Small Businesses
What participation looks like.
The marketplace is curated to create a strong mix of products, services, stories, and experiences. Here is how selection and preparation work.
Curated selection
Businesses are reviewed for fit, category mix, audience value, and available space.
Interest comes first
Submitting the form lets us learn about your business before formal applications open.
Clear costs
Selected businesses receive participation costs, requirements, and availability before committing.
Event details
Approved participants receive setup, access, display, timing, and day-of instructions.
For Sponsors & Partners
Create value people can feel.
Employers, training providers, business-service organizations, and brands are invited to contribute practical support or an engaging activation. Tell us what your team can offer and how attendees can take the next step.
Small-business discovery and marketplace support
Career, capital, legal, wellness, and business resources
Content, media, hospitality, and interactive brand moments
Small Businesses
Interested in being part of the marketplace?
Tell us about your business and what you would bring to the Culture Lounge. We will share application details when vendor opportunities open.