Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced its eighth annual Female Founders, honoring a bold group of 500 women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward. These resilient entrepreneurs expressed grit and drive to collectively attract approximately $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding.
Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders who are challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, and they cull applicants through three rounds of judging, looking specifically at an entrepreneur’s bona fides in the past year. Criteria include quantifiable metrics such as revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, and audience size. Inc. also looks for qualitative metrics, including social media momentum and stories of impact.
Honoree selection is also honed through the evaluation of the program’s advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Dany Garcia, founder, CEO, and chairperson of the Garcia Companies; Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.
“I’m so honored to be recognized on Inc.’s Female Founders 500 list. For us, this has never just been about building a business—it’s about changing the way people view cannabis and helping to reverse the impacts of the racist war on drugs. We are elevating the cannabis experience and helping consumers make informed and safe decisions around consumption. We’re working to break outdated stigmas and redefine what cannabis retail can be, and this recognition reinforces that we’re making an impact.” – Arana Hankin-Biggers, Co-Founder and President of The Travel Agency.
The founders cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, or spending decades at the helm of an organization. Among these visionary leaders is Arana Hankin-Biggers, Co-Founder and President of The Travel Agency, who has redefined what success looks like in the cannabis industry.
In 2024, The Travel Agency expanded its footprint, becoming the first cannabis brand with three NYC dispensaries by opening locations in Union Square, Downtown Brooklyn, and Fifth Avenue. In the first year, The Travel Agency’s flagship store generated $5 million in tax revenue and served over 125,000 customers, with continued growth in the past year and a fourth SoHo location planned for opening later this year. The company advanced its mission through its partnership with the reentry program The Doe Fund, (51% of profits from its Union Square store are redirected to this not for profit), and integrating cannabis into mainstream culture through partnerships like AKNVAS and Christian Cowan’s NYFW shows, the New York Film Festival and All Things Go Music Festival. Additionally, in 2025, The Travel Agency expanded its cultural presence and became the first cannabis brand to advertise in Playbill. These achievements demonstrate The Travel Agency’s commitment to balancing retail success with social equity and cultural relevance, setting a new standard in the cannabis industry.
The Travel Agency has also been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering industry-defining experiences such as educational in-store installations and interactive kiosks designed to cater to the canna-curious. As a trailblazer in the field, the brand was recognized with the Green Market Report Trailblazer Award and three Clio Awards for its approach to retail and design. Through these initiatives, The Travel Agency has redefined the cannabis experience—making sure that it is not only premium and accessible but also rooted in social impact and community engagement.
“Female founders know what struggle is, but they’re also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year’s list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress,” said Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom.
Several honorees will be featured in Inc. magazine’s Female Founders issue, on newsstands March 18, 2025. To see the complete list of honorees, please visit: https://www.inc.com/female-
