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As of the first quarter of 2024, only 19.6% of Canadian private-sector businesses are majority owned by women. This statistic highlights the significant gap in business ownership across the country and shows the need for targeted support to further advance women’s participation in the economy.
Women entrepreneurs in Canada have access to numerous grants, loans, and wage subsidies to help start or expand their business.
Here are some notable programs and other funding opportunities specifically designed for women entrepreneurs.
The BDC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan provides up to $350,000 to businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneurs. Eligible businesses must be located in Canada, have annual revenues under $3 million, and be owned and led by individuals from underserved communities.
This financing can be used to:
The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s effort to bridge the barrier for women entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow their business. By providing microloans of up to $50,000, this fund offers the financial support required to start new ventures or scale operations.The Fund is delivered through select delivery organizations including:
The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is also available in the following province or territory through the following regional service providers:
For other provinces not mentioned, applications can still be made through Nventure, Coralus, and NACCA.
The Rhyze Up! Program is an accelerator program that helps address the unique challenges women-founded or co-founded companies face. Eligible participants can access up to $10,000 in funding for business scale-up services, along with mentorship, project implementation support, leadership coaching, and educational resources.
To be eligible, the following requirements must be met:
The EDC, through the Inclusive Trade Investments Program, has allocated $200 million to support Canadian exporting businesses owned and led by individuals who identify as women, Indigenous, Black, or from other diverse backgrounds, aiming to tackle the lack of equitable access to capital.
The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program supports women in agriculture, agribusiness, and the food industry by enhancing access to capital, building skills, and providing valuable tools and resources. Participants can benefit from tailored financial solutions, networking opportunities, and mentorship opportunities that address the unique challenges faced by women in these sectors.
Whether you're looking to scale your operations, explore export opportunities, or innovate within your industry, there are funding options tailored to your needs.
To simplify your search, GrantFundPro is designed to match users with relevant funding opportunities based on your business profile.
Never miss out on funding opportunities by utilizing our advanced AI-powered search tools so you can quickly find grants, loans, tax credits, and wage subsidies that align with your specific needs. Learn more.
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