Month: June 2025

International Olympic Committee news

The event programme and athlete quotas for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) have been approved by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With a total of 351 medal events, 22 more than at Paris 2024 (329), the LA28 programme maintains the core athlete quota of 10,500, with an extra 698 quota places allocated for the five sports proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee (baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash).

For the first time in history, all team sports will have at least the same number of women’s teams as men’s teams, with water polo adding two women’s teams, making it now 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams.

Football, with 16 female teams, will feature more women’s teams than men’s (12).

Gender equality was a key consideration when deciding on the athlete quota and the number of events. In the initial sports programme, with 10,500 athletes, the number of female athletes is 5,333 and the number of male athletes 5,167. The additional sports add 322 female athletes and 376 male athletes. In addition, six mixed events were added to the event programme. Out of 351 events, there are 161 women’s events, 165 men’s events and 25 mixed events.

A powerful platform for female athletes

• Football: for the first time in Olympic history, more women’s teams (16) than men’s (12) will compete.
• Boxing: an additional women’s weight category ensures full gender parity across events, while maintaining equal numbers of athlete quotas for men and women, as was the case at Paris 2024.
• Water polo: two additional women’s teams will ensure full gender parity in the athlete quota and number of teams.
• Expanded mixed events: archery, athletics (4x100m mixed relay), golf, gymnastics, rowing coastal beach sprint and table tennis will all see the inclusion of a new mixed team event.

New medal opportunities and innovation

• Swimming: the 50m backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke events for both men and women will bring high-speed excitement to the pool at Inglewood Stadium.
• Rowing: women’s solo (CW1x), men’s solo (CM1x) and mixed double sculls (CX2x) will make their debut in coastal beach sprint.
• Sport climbing: boulder and lead events will now be contested as separate medal events, creating new stages for athletes to shine.
• Basketball 3×3: having made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with eight teams each for men and women, the event has expanded to include 12 teams per gender.

The full event programme is available here.

Twenty-four out of 31 Olympic International Federations had put forward a request for a change in their event programme from the Olympic Games Paris 2024. In total, 46 new events were requested (16 male / 17 female / 13 mixed), six of which were to potentially replace existing events, making a net total of 40 more events requested. In total, 772 additional quota places were requested for the initial sport and event programme of 10,500 athletes (339 male / 433 female).

The event programme principles

The event programme for LA28 was developed based on the requests submitted by the International Sports Federations to the IOC. The decision from the IOC EB followed the recommendation from the Olympic Programme Commission and the principles approved in 2023, which specified that the Games should be gender equal, globally appealing, cost and complexity conscious, and athlete focused.

LA28 sports programme

With the inclusion of boxing, approved by the IOC Session in March 2025, the LA28 sports programme is composed of 31 sports, with an additional five sports proposed by the Organising Committee and approved by the IOC in 2023.

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The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.7 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

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For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000, email: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.ioc.org.

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When the power went out around noon on April 28, Otis mechanic Julio César was conducting an inspection in a Madrid office building. The generator turned on, and he continued working. He thought it was a local issue.

Then the building’s maintenance manager informed him of the magnitude of the event: All power, and nearly all cellphone service, was out across Spain and Portugal. They didn’t know it at the time, but the outage would last about 10 hours – and up to 16 hours in some areas.

Julio César immediately completed his inspection and went to check the other units on his route to make sure no one was trapped. He prioritized nursing homes and the smaller buildings that he knew did not have backup generators.

“I went to the places first where I knew there might be more vulnerable people,” he said.

Julio César is just one of hundreds of Otis field colleagues in Spain and Portugal who rallied to support people stranded in elevators when the power went out – and later, when power was restored, worked to get elevators back up and running.

Their response was immediate and thorough: In the hours following the historic outage, mechanics worked with public authorities to visit every unit on their routes to ensure there were no entrapments, and rescuing people who were. OTISLINE customer service teams provided immediate support to those who were connected. Then, when power was restored, they set to work getting all elevators back up and running.

Consider these figures:

• Within the first 90 minutes of the outage, Otis teams across the two countries freed passengers in 266 separate entrapments.
• Calls for trapped passengers increased 400% during the three days from April 28-30.
• Calls for shut-down elevators increased nearly 500% over the same period.

Spain has the most elevators per resident in the European Union, with almost 1.3 million elevators total, according to the Spanish Elevator Federation. They estimate that 10,000 entrapped passengers were freed on April 28.

Here’s what happens at Otis when the power goes out:

• Field technicians and supervisors, who know the elevators on their regular routes, immediately begin going to each unit on that route, checking for entrapped passengers.
• Call centers can run on backup power, receiving calls as long as communications systems are operational. In Spain and Portugal, they opted to run at reduced capacity to save fuel, because they did not know how long the outage would last. Even when communications systems failed and fewer calls reach the call centers, colleagues remained on task serving as as customer care centers, assisting customers, passengers and colleagues in the field however possible, and standing by for power and telecommunications to be restored.
• When power is restored, the mission shifts from finding and freeing entrapped passengers to getting all elevators operational again. Those units that were opened forcefully by firefighters or other emergency personnel must be inspected, and often repaired. Some need to be inspected and reset after a power outage.

Going above their normal call to help others

Otis mechanics freed people trapped in elevators that were not their responsibility – elevators that are not part of the Otis service portfolio. Xavier, an Otis salesman who used to be a mechanic, freed two women in their 90s in the minutes after the blackout started.

One mechanic walked more than 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) to help as many trapped passengers as possible.

Colleagues who were not scheduled to work went to the offices to see how they could help. Those who were working voluntarily worked another shift when transit issues meant some second-shift workers didn’t make it into the office or call center.

Mechanics accompanied firefighters to perform rescues. Some Otis colleagues took people with mobility issues into their homes.

When the power came back

By April 29, once entrapments were addressed and power was restored, Otis experts turned quickly to making sure all Otis units were back online and working.

This too required a round-the-clock response from field colleagues.

Some mechanics had accumulated more than 25 calls by 9 a.m. Service was again augmented by extending shifts, and tapping people on their scheduled day off who showed up at the call centers, aware of the workload.

It wasn’t until late on April 30 that the crisis was over. Otis had zero calls on hold.

“Through their actions and professionalism, our colleagues in Spain and Portugal exemplified the core values of our company and demonstrated how to put our mission into action,” said Enrique Miñarro Viseras, President of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. “Thank you for your resilience, teamwork and unwavering focus on our customers and passengers. Your skills were in high demand and your empathy was evident as you navigated complex situations, provided reassurances and supported everyone affected. We are so proud of all you have done.”

Preparing for next time

In Spain and Portugal, the power outage lasted approximately 10 hours and up to 16 hours in some locations.

Nuno Correia, a field supervisor in Portugal with 35 years of Otis experience, said he had never experienced anything like this. “I only remember a two-hour power outage in Lisbon 20 years ago, but never a time when communications were down,” Correia said. After the initial nervousness of trying to restore communications, his technicians prioritized helping the factories they service, which were operating at full capacity at the time of the blackout.

While Otis has crisis preparedness plans in place for events like this, each one provides opportunities to learn and improve for the next time, with a focus on the Otis value of safety, and dedication to Otis’ mission to be a world-class, customer-centric, service-oriented company.

What to do if you’re stuck in an elevator

Importantly, when an elevator stops working, because of a power cut or other reason, passengers are safe inside of the elevator cabin. If communications systems are working, they will have access to an emergency call center. However, if the telecommunications network fails before the signal is activated, passengers must wait in the cabin until an emergency release system is activated, power is restored, or a technician arrives to rescue them.

Some elevators are equipped with an emergency lighting system designed to last at least 1 hour. This emergency lighting is activated automatically as soon as the power supply fails. Depending upon local regulations, elevators may also have an external alarm bell, designed to alert building occupants of an entrapment.

In some countries, Otis businesses are certified to the ISO 22301 standard, which assesses the quality of a company’s processes for providing emergency assistance in the event of a blackout.

In addition, post-blackout, Otis has received numerous calls from customers inquiring about products designed to reduce the risk of entrapments in a power cut, including a battery-powered emergency release system, and elevators capable of running on battery and solar power in the event of a power disruption. These Gen2 Switch elevators are currently available in Spain and Portugal. Customers with them reported gratitude that they mitigated the effects of the power outage on their buildings.

About Otis

Otis is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide, the industry’s largest Service portfolio. Headquarters in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

This year, the Direct Selling Channel Summit powered by Social Selling News, in collaboration with the Direct Selling Association, brought together the industry’s most brilliant minds featuring leaders who shared actionable strategies and inspiring lessons.

Dayna Boozer, Manager, Salesforce Compliance at Mary Kay Inc., the #1 Direct Selling brand of skin care & color cosmetics in the world by Euromonitor International¹, participated on a panel titled “A Day In The Life: Life Hacks For a Happy Compliance Officer” to discuss how she approaches the role of Compliance “The Mary Kay Way,” as an empowering partner to the iconic company’s Independent Beauty Consultants guiding them on their journey to sustainable success, modeling a “doing the right thing” mindset and attitude.

We sat down with Dayna to hear her thoughts on her unique approach to Compliance, based on her over 30 years of experience at Mary Kay Inc. working on behalf of the independent sales force and the Company. She explained how she finds passion in her work, and how she inspires the women she serves and leads to bring positivity, purpose, and passion to their own work each and every day.

1. Create a Positive Partnership
   • Infuse positivity – It is critical to always remain positive in your demeanor and messaging. At Mary Kay, we work closely with our independent sales force (the women who sell our award-winning products to their customers), and we understand that mitigating risks should not be seen in a negative light when dealing with the rules and regulations. We offer a guiding light to help them succeed in their businesses.
2. Break Stereotypes, Build Trust
   • Partnering vs “policing” – At Mary Kay, we believe that “You’re in business for yourself but never by yourself.” That drives our approach to Compliance – we see ourselves as Compliance partners. We’ve worked hard to shed the reputation of being the “Pink Police” by fostering open communication and encouraging the sales force to reach out proactively. We listen to understand their goals and try to offer solutions to help achieve them.
   • Lead with the “why” – Many times, we explain WHY compliance rules exist. Many of these rules come from external sources and apply to business owners across various industries, not just Mary Kay Inc. or the direct selling industry.
3. Empower YOUR Compliance Team
   • Train the trainers – Our team is on the front lines, partnering with our independent beauty consultants to educate, support, and empower them. We take the same approach internally, equipping our Compliance team with knowledge, confidence, and motivation. Before interacting with the independent sales force, new team members receive in-depth training, partner with a mentor, and use our Sales Force Compliance Toolkit as their guide.
   • Recognition is key – At Mary Kay, we have a robust employee recognition program that allows us to celebrate contributions and achievements.
   • Go into the field – Our Compliance team members attend Mary Kay sales force events to experience the excitement firsthand, which reinforces our purpose and fuels our passion.
   • Practice the Golden Rule – This is a value at the heart of what we do. Mary Kay Ash believed that kindness and respect create a strong and healthy work environment. This is one more reason many of us, including myself, have such a long tenure with the Company. I think when people feel valued and empowered, they show up ready to make a difference.

Additional thoughts from Dayna Boozer about the “Mary Kay Way” applied to Compliance. 

• Our secret sauce resides in the quality of our relationship with the Mary Kay independent sales force. It is more than a partnership – it is a personal connection built on trust, education, support, and open communication.
• Mary Kay’s mission of enriching women’s lives around the world is more than a corporate statement; it is the very foundation of our culture that was built more than 60 years ago and still thrives. We all have the responsibility to carry Mary Kay Ash’s torch to empower women all over the world.

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

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¹ “Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2024 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2023 data”

Insights informed by the IBEC webinar “Avian Influenza and Worker Safety: Navigating the H5N1 Challenge” held on March 27, 2025. 

The rise of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, presents serious challenges to worker safety across several industries. From poultry farms and veterinary clinics to laboratories and wildlife agencies, anyone working in close contact with birds—or even pets that come into contact with infected animals—may be at risk of exposure.

The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium (IBEC) brought together experts to examine the occupational health risks associated with H5N1 and to discuss strategies for protecting frontline workers. Speakers highlighted critical risk pathways, personal protective measures, mental health considerations, and lessons learned from recent research and outbreaks.

Who’s Most at Risk? 

Several job sectors are particularly vulnerable to H5N1 exposure, including:

• Poultry production and processing workers
• Wildlife and animal control personnel
• Veterinary and animal health professionals
• Laboratory staff handling avian flu samples
• Waste management teams dealing with contaminated materials
• Public health responders engaged in outbreak control
• Employees with pets, especially domestic cats that roam outdoors or may consume raw meat

Emerging evidence shows that avian influenza can affect domestic and wild cats—sometimes fatally. Dr. Kristen Coleman of the University of Maryland School of Public Health shared research showing that 607 feline deaths linked to AIV have been recorded globally over the past decade across 18 countries and 12 species of felines. Transmission often occurs when cats consume infected birds or raw poultry products. Contaminated raw chicken feed and dairy milk have been implicated in both domestic and captive animals, including tigers.

Additionally, Dr. Maggie Baldwin from the Colorado Department of Agriculture cited two recent cases in indoor-only domestic cats in Colorado, with no known exposure to infected animals. These incidents suggest new and less-understood transmission routes and reinforce the importance of vigilance even in seemingly low-risk scenarios.

How to Reduce Risk: Key Strategies 

Protecting workers from H5N1 requires a layered, proactive approach:

1. Training and Awareness

Educating employees about transmission pathways, symptoms, and protective measures is essential. This includes pet safety, as infected cats may serve as early indicators of outbreaks in the area.

Basic pet-related guidance includes:

• Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and animals
• Do not feed pets raw meat or unpasteurized milk
• Keep outdoor animals under close observation
• Report respiratory or neurological symptoms in pets to a veterinarian immediately

If a pet tests positive, it may indicate local viral circulation.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

High-risk workers should be equipped with:

• N95 respirators or higher
• Disposable gowns or coveralls
• Nitrile or latex gloves
• Eye and face protection
• Boot covers or disposable footwear

Proper training and compliance monitoring are just as important as PPE availability.

3. Strong Biosecurity and Hygiene Protocols

• Enforce restricted access to poultry and wildlife facilities
• Establish thorough disinfection procedures
• Control the movement of personnel and equipment
• Promote frequent handwashing or use of alcohol-based sanitizers

4. Surveillance and Monitoring

Active surveillance in bird populations—both domestic and wild—is key to early detection and response. Public-private collaboration is vital for timely data sharing and coordinated action.

5. Vaccination and Medical Monitoring

Although no commercial H5N1 vaccine for humans currently exists, seasonal flu vaccination can help reduce co-infection risks. For high-risk roles, employers should consider regular health surveillance and exposure testing.

6. Designated Outbreak Coordinators

For organizations in high-risk sectors, appointing an H5N1 case manager to oversee protocols and incident response can improve outbreak management and reduce confusion.

Enhancing Protection Through Workplace Controls

Employers should implement foundational occupational health strategies:

• Engineering Controls: Improved ventilation and physical containment
• Administrative Controls: Limiting time in high-risk environments, clear work procedures, and task rotation
• Mental Health Support: Providing mental health services for workers under stress or concerned about exposure, especially important in outbreak zones or animal care roles

What to Do During an Outbreak 

If an H5N1 outbreak occurs, rapid action is crucial:

• Conduct screenings, testing, and isolation where necessary
• Ensure proper PPE distribution and adherence
• Decontaminate affected facilities and dispose of contaminated materials correctly
• Maintain open communication among animal health, environmental, and public health agencies
• Share accurate information with employees and the public

Final Thoughts 

Avian influenza is more than a veterinary or agricultural issue, it’s a growing occupational health concern that requires a multi-sector response. Key actions include prioritizing worker training and protection, maintaining robust biosecurity, and responding swiftly and transparently during outbreaks.

The threat of H5N1 will continue to evolve. Ongoing research, like that of Dr. Coleman and Dr. Baldwin, surveillance programs, and interagency collaboration will be essential to minimizing harm and safeguarding both public and occupational health.

Questions? Reach out to our Health & Safety team today!

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2024 Sustainability Report

Inclusive Entrepreneurship

GoDaddy empowers and champions entrepreneurs everywhere.

We recognize that the entrepreneurial journey is as diverse and unique as the individuals who embark on it. We’re on a mission to inspire inclusive entrepreneurship, transforming the way people work and live for the better. We uphold our commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship by offering support to entrepreneurs and studying and promoting the beneficial impact our entrepreneurs have on their communities.

At GoDaddy, inclusive entrepreneurship means everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their independent ventures and forge their own paths. Entrepreneurship fuels local economies globally, and we’ve seen through our Venture Forward small business research initiative that it can also increase generational wealth, reduce income gaps, and enhance livelihoods around the world.

Empower by GoDaddy Pillars

• Education
• Mentorship
• Networking
• Access to Capital

Empower by GoDaddy

Our signature social impact program, Empower by GoDaddy, aims to support small businesses as they create and grow their business online.

We partner with well-established nonprofits and community organizations to support entrepreneurs, and our employees play an integral role by serving as coaches and mentors. Through strong relationships with both community partners and employee volunteers, Empower by GoDaddy provides entrepreneurs:

• A 12 course educational series, offered in English and Spanish.
• In-person and virtual workshops with training on branding, marketing, website building, SEO fundamentals, social media management, AI- driven content creation strategies, and other foundational business topics related to growing their businesses online.
• Virtual one-on-one and group mentorship and coaching.
• In-kind products and services and a network of support.
• Access to wraparound services in select markets that remove additional barriers to program participation, including financial, tax, and business planning, use of laptops, and meeting spaces.

In 2024, we expanded our in-kind product donations to provide each Empower by GoDaddy graduate with:

• A professionally branded email.
• A free .com or .org domain for two years.
• Free web hosting for two years.
• Additional free and discounted products for entrepreneurs who completed the program, including an additional GoDaddy Registry domain.
• Enrollment in a qualified product discount program upon graduation for up to six years following program completion.

These free products help thousands of entrepreneurs boost their business and make their dreams a reality, and we’re always looking for new ways to support them.

• 1.75 Million: Invested over $1.75 million to support entrepreneurs.
• 19k: Facilitated nearly 19,000 entrepreneur learning engagements¹.
• 630: Supported entrepreneur completion or improvement of nearly 630 websites.
• 290: Organized almost 40 employee-led workshops, complementing the nearly 290 workshops led by Empower by GoDaddy partner coaches.

Empower by GoDaddy Spotlights

PARTNER

The Last Mile is a team of social innovators breaking the cycle of incarceration by providing access to technical education and training. Through The Last Mile Education Program, incarcerated individuals acquire critical skills, education, and mentorship networks that facilitate their reintegration into society.

In our recent gap analysis of the populations we serve, GoDaddy identified formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs as a significant growth area for 2024. Research shows that formerly incarcerated individuals are more likely to become self-employed entrepreneurs as compared to other individuals.² We partnered with The Last Mile to enhance their entrepreneurship education and incarceration- to-work programming, broadening the reach of our social impact initiatives in a meaningful way.

CUSTOMER

Chef Denella Belin of Nella’s Innovative Kreations is dedicated to preserving and sharing ancestral foods that represent the Navajo Nation and surrounding tribes of Arizona. Through her business, Nella advocates for Indigenous food sovereignty and educates others on the cultural and medicinal value of ancestral foods. Empower by GoDaddy provided her with the digital skills to expand her business, increase customer engagement, and enhance her “online presence.

“I have benefited from Empower by GoDaddy by acquiring skills that would be a challenge to acquire elsewhere. Since completing my cohort, my business has grown, and I have increased my customers through the website. The key skills I have gained are very impactful, and I now feel more confident designing my website and using other digital tools to help my business grow.” — Denella Belin, Nella’s Innovative Kreations, Phoenix, Arizona

EMPLOYEE

Mike Chorba is a GoDaddy employee and a dedicated Empower
by GoDaddy volunteer. Through Empower by GoDaddy, Mike supported entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and witnessed the real-time impact that GoDaddy employee volunteers have by h“elping demystify the process of taking an idea online.

“Empower by GoDaddy allowed me to share the knowledge I’ve gained through the years at GoDaddy with people who had dreams of getting a project online but weren’t in a position to do so without some help.” — Mike Chorba, GoDaddy Social Media Specialist and Empower by GoDaddy Volunteer since 2019

Made in America

We understand the importance of providing entrepreneurs with a platform to share their unique stories. To celebrate their resilience and determination, and in partnership with Empower by GoDaddy, we created the documentary series, Made in America. This series follows small business owners with unique backgrounds as they start and grow their businesses and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Premiering in 2024, the most recent season takes viewers to Ohio and follows two sets of determined entrepreneurs who are betting on themselves and working to create a brighter future. The season features Carter’s BBQ owners Darren W. Carter and Theresa Carter, a husband-and-wife team who started running a barbecue trailer and are involved in foster care.

The season also features Gray Brush Vintage Market owners Lisa Brickey and Vonda Rogers. Deeply rooted in their community, these friends since kindergarten started their business in 2021, turning their shared love for vintage treasures into something special.

As part of the Rust Belt, Ohio was hit hard by economic downturns.
In season five, we witness a resurgence of small businesses that are helping revive the state’s economy. These everyday Ohioans embody the resilience of their state, from metropolitan Cleveland to rural Appalachia, by doing the hard work it takes to achieve their dreams and lifting up the communities around them. Following its launch, season five episodes were collectively viewed nearly half a million times on YouTube.

“As an entrepreneur you basically bet on yourself. But you do need somebody to bet on you.” — Darren W. Carter, Co-Owner, Carter’s BBQ

Since its debut in 2019, Made in America has earned several major awards, including the YouTube Works Breaking Barriers Award, a Digiday Content Marketing Award, a Webby Award Honoree, and a Ragan Award.

“The world seems to be changing. Having your own business and working for yourself and providing that freedom and that flexibility – in this second act of our lives, we want more.” — Vonda Rogers, Co-Owner, Gray Brush Vintage Market

Venture Forward

The long-term success of entrepreneurs and their microbusinesses plays a vital role in supporting the economic wellbeing and resilience of communities. GoDaddy Venture Forward is a research initiative that quantifies the impact that over 20 million microbusinesses have on their local economies, and provides a unique view into the attitudes, demographics, and needs of these entrepreneurs.

Since 2019, the initiative has surveyed more than 50,000 entrepreneurs with a digital presence. In 2024, Venture Forward gathered insights from over 10,000 entrepreneurs across the U.S., United Kingdom, and for the first time, Australia and Canada. The 2024 GoDaddy Venture Forward surveys explored microbusiness trends and revealed new perspectives on emerging AI technologies.

2024 Venture Forward key U.S. survey findings include:

• +7: Over new jobs are created by each microbusiness entrepreneur on a county-level.
• 0.11: Each additional microbusiness per 100 people in a county can decrease the unemployment rate by 0.11 percentage points.
• 41%: 41% of respondents turned their supplemental income into their main source of income.
• 51%: 51% of microbusinesses are women-owned (+10% since August 2019).

In the 2024 U.S. national survey, GoDaddy aimed to assess year-over-year perception of generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), understand current usage, and capture expectations for this new technology. The survey found:

• 44%: 44% of small business owners believe GenAI will allow them to compete with larger businesses.
• 50%: 50% of respondents have used GenAI tools in the past few months.

Venture Forward Microbusiness Data Hub

Microbusinesses, those with fewer than 10 employees, are small-scale enterprises, often operated by a single individual or a small team. These businesses typically rely on a digital presence to reach customers and scale their operations, making them a key part of today’s interconnected world. Despite their size, microbusinesses impact their local communities and economies in big ways.

To support and amplify the impact of these businesses, Venture Forward launched the Microbusiness Data Hub in 2022. This platform provides unprecedented access to free, downloadable, anonymized data on more than 20 million microbusinesses and their owners across the U.S. and U.K. In 2024, research was expanded to include Canada and Australia. Refreshed quarterly, the data hub offers valuable insights into microbusiness density by geography, empowering policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to more effectively support small business growth.

To learn more, read our 2024 Sustainability Report.

About This Report

This GoDaddy 2024 Sustainability Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching corporate mission and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2024. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual Sustainability Report. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector, and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please refer to the Frameworks & Metrics section.

¹Represents the total number of entrepreneurs that have had at least one contact (i.e., group workshop, facilitated course, one-on-one mentorship) or who have completed one course in the online self-serve learning portal.

²Hwang, Kylie and Hwang, Kylie and Phillips, Damon J., Entrepreneurship as a Response to Labor Market Discrimination for Formerly Incarcerated People (March 6, 2020).