October is National Women’s Small Business Month. According to the latest study by the U.S. Census Bureau, 7.8 million U.S. businesses are owned by women, representing 28.7 percent of all businesses. But that’s not all. Here are four more awesome statistics about women who own businesses.

1. The U.S. ranks first for female entrepreneurship, compared to 17 other countries.

(Source: The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute PDF)

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(Source: Thinkstock)

2. Women-owned firms are experiencing growth at 44 percent, twice as fast as firms owned by men.

(Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, PDF)

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(Source: Thinkstock)

3. In 2010, women received approximately 18 percent of all U.S. patents granted. Women were granted 33 percent of all trademarks.

(Source: National Women’s Business Council, PDF)

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(Source: Thinkstock)

4. In 2012, women-owned small businesses were awarded $16.2 billion in prime federal contracts.

(Source: SBA, PDF)

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(Source: Thinkstock)

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