Gender-based impact investing, or supporting women's economic empowerment through investing in women-owned businesses, is not only the domain of the private sector. Given the scale of government business activities, there are myriad ways the public sector can engage in "gender-smart investing," from supporting women in growth accelerators and incubators to prioritizing women-led businesses in procurement processes.

Blue Tin Production Co-operative taps into the sewing talents of immigrant and refugee women in Chicago by offering a living wage to produce work for designers and eventually their own clothing line. The program also offers trauma-informed yoga, legal services, child care, transportation, and language translation to fully support the women. It is the first of its kind and is currently raising money for supplies, but already has produced "life-changing" results for the women's purpose and self-confidence.

A membership organization called Pipeline Angels helps women and nonbinary femme entrepreneurs find investors and start their own businesses. Pipeline Angels addresses the investment disparities between businesses owned by men and women.

Women only gyms are gaining popularity in Turkey, encouraging women to work out in a comfortable setting as well as to gain financial independence and entrepreneurial advice. Many of these women use their gym networks to overcome obstacles in the business community in open their own gyms, despite the pushback against women working outside of the home.

A program in Oakland, California, is helping Black women-owned companies survive the economic downturn since the onset of the pandemic. Known as Runway, the financial innovation firm provides $1,000 a month without any conditions. The monthly income allows historically-marginalized entrepreneurs to focus on how to pivot in order to survive the pandemic. The decision to provide cash payments to this particular demographic was based on research that highlights the lack of financial security nets in the Black community that prevent business owners from relying on their friends and family in times of need.

Comal Heritage Food Incubator trains immigrant and refugee women to start their own businesses in the food industry. Comal offers coaching, financial support, and connections to social services. It also pays trainees, which has been vital to endure the food industry shutdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic. The group also ensures members have food, rent assistance, school supplies, or diapers for their children. They partner with the Denver Metro Emergency Food Network, delivering about 290,000 meals since the pandemic began. The model is working in other cities, including Seattle and San Francisco.