Open
Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative
Financial support to increase representation of women in the venture capital industry
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Get financing to reach national audiences and create a more inclusive venture capital environment for women. Assist women entrepreneurs to understand options for financing by providing education and training to support equitable access to funding.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
There are eligible projects for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative grant. Projects must be delivered by not-for-profit organizations to increase Canadian women entrepreneurs' access to venture capital funding, contribute to increasing representation of women in the Canadian venture capital industry, and reduce biases in the Canadian venture capital industry.
- Projects must be delivered by not-for-profit organizations.
- Projects should increase Canadian women entrepreneurs' access to venture capital funding.
- Projects should contribute to increasing representation of women in the Canadian venture capital industry.
- Projects should aim to reduce biases in the Canadian venture capital industry.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The eligibility for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative is targeted towards not-for-profit organizations that focus on enhancing the venture capital environment for women entrepreneurs in Canada. The initiative aims to increase access to venture capital funding for Canadian women entrepreneurs, improve women's representation in the venture capital industry, and reduce biases within the industry. However, specific evaluation and selection criteria are not provided in the given context.Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative grant may include but are not limited to:
- Program development and delivery costs
- Administrative expenses directly related to the project
- Consultant fees for project-specific expertise
- Training and capacity-building activities
- Outreach and networking costs
- Evaluation and reporting expenses
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative include the following:
- Alignment with the program objectives and priorities of the WES Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative.
- Demonstrated ability to increase access to venture capital funding for Canadian women entrepreneurs.
- Potential to contribute to the representation of women in the Canadian venture capital industry.
- Strategies to reduce biases in the Canadian venture capital industry.
- Sustainability and scalability of the proposed project.
How to apply
1
Prepare your project proposal according to the grant guidelines and criteria.
2
Submit your application during the open call for proposals, which is currently closed.
3
Wait for the evaluation process to be completed by the grant administrators.
4
If successful, follow the instructions provided by the grant program for next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative Program
What is the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative?
Get financing to reach national audiences and create a more inclusive venture capital environment for women. Assist women entrepreneurs to understand options for financing by providing education and training to support equitable access to funding.
Who is eligible for the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative program, you must:
The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization.
The project must focus on increasing access to venture capital for Canadian women entrepreneurs.
What expenses are eligible under Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative?
There are eligible projects for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative grant. Projects must be delivered by not-for-profit organizations to increase Canadian women entrepreneurs' access to venture capital funding, contribute to increasing representation of women in the Canadian venture capital industry, and reduce biases in the Canadian venture capital industry.
Projects must be delivered by not-for-profit organizations.
Projects should increase Canadian women entrepreneurs' access to venture capital funding.
Projects should contribute to increasing representation of women in the Canadian venture capital industry.
Projects should aim to reduce biases in the Canadian venture capital industry.
Where is the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative available?
The Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative?
Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative is funded by Innovation Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)