100 Boldest, Most Innovative Female Founders

The 100 pioneers, empire-builders, movement makers, innovators, creatives, serial entrepreneurs, and geeks building the most exciting businesses in America.

There’s one thing women have no shortage of: energy. The kind of boundless energy to convert dreams into action, to chase ambition fearlessly, to let nothing get in their way. For some of our Female Founders 100, it’s the first time they have hatched a company. Others have been at this for decades. This is just the beginning of a conversation with—and the building of a vibrant community by—the women whose smarts are rattling industries far and wide.

Reese Witherspoon

HELLO SUNSHINE/DRAPER JAMES

Every year seems like Witherspoon’s year, but the past few set records. In 2016, she launched Hello Sunshine, a new storytelling vehicle that aims to change the narrative around women—then went on to produce, star in, and win Emmys for HBO’s Big Little Lies while running her fashion and homewares brand, Draper James. Whether it’s through Hulu and Apple TV—she’s locked in development deals with both—her own on-demand TV channel, or her book club rivaling Oprah’s, Witherspoon is channeling her smarts and financial power to fix the gender imbalance in entertainment. —Tom Foster

Rachel Haurwitz & Jennifer Doudna

CARIBOU BIOSCIENCES