Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $100000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)?

Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) is funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Q: Who is eligible for the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) program?

To be eligible for the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) program, you must: • For-profit, women-owned and/or women-led business • Small to medium enterprise (less than 500 employees) • Minimum 2 years in operation

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)?

You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) by email at ic.wes-sfe.ic@canada.ca or by phone at 1-800-328-6189.

Q: Where is the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) available?

The Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) program is available across Canada.

Q: Are women eligible for the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) program?

Yes, women are eligible to apply for the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Supporting women entrepreneurs in growth and market opportunities

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $10,000 to $100,000
Up to 10% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : November 15, 2018

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Program status

Closed

Overview

The Women Entrepreneurship Fund is a $20 million initiative by the Government of Canada offering up to $100,000 in non-repayable contribution funding to support women-owned and women-led businesses in scaling up and pursuing new market opportunities, both domestically and globally. Eligible activities include international marketing strategies, product development, process improvements, and other activities that contribute to business growth and market expansion.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-repayable contribution funding of up to $100,000 per project for a 12-month period.
Priority applicants must cost-share a minimum of 10% of total eligible project costs; other applicants must cost-share at least 20%.
Total Canadian government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal) cannot exceed 100% of total eligible costs.

Activities funded

Business scale-up initiatives aimed at expanding company operations.
Projects focused on accessing new national or international markets.
Development and implementation of strategies to pursue market opportunities abroad, including international marketing and supply chain integration.
Product or service innovation and improvements to enhance competitiveness.
Business growth strategies supporting expansion, such as process improvements or technology upgrades.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a for-profit organization, such as an incorporated company, partnership, sole proprietorship, social enterprise, co-operative, or Indigenous organization.
The business must be women-owned (majority ownership by women) and/or women-led (women in long-term control and management, equity stake, and key decision-making roles).
The business must be a small to medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 500 employees.
The business must have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years.
The proposed project must focus on business scale-up and/or pursuing new market opportunities, and demonstrate economic viability and benefits.

Who is eligible?

For-profit organizations, including incorporated companies, corporations, and co-operatives
Individual women operating a business
Partnerships
Social enterprises
Indigenous organizations that are women-owned or women-led businesses

Who is not eligible

Not-for-profit organizations.
Government or municipal entities.

Eligible expenses

Labour costs directly related to project activities.
Purchase of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure essential to the project.
Operating costs such as management fees or working capital needed for project delivery.
Consultancy fees, including business advisory services, legal, accounting, and technical support.
Costs related to intellectual property management and protection.
Preproduction and commercialization expenses linked to the project.
Subcontracting costs for specialized services.
Production and distribution of promotional materials and management tools.
Costs to maintain the useful life of an asset for a reasonable period as part of the project.
Fees for participation in coaching, mentoring, networking events, workshops, or conferences, as well as accelerator or incubator programs.

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses located anywhere in Canada.

Selection criteria

Demonstrated organizational capacity, including a clear and relevant company profile and the ability to effectively manage the proposed project.
Alignment of project activities and objectives with the aims of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund, accompanied by a clear and feasible implementation plan.
Economic viability of the project, supported by market research, competitive advantages, and anticipated economic benefits such as revenue growth, increased market share, or job creation.
Well-defined performance measurement methods, including the identification of outcomes and a clear explanation of how these outcomes will be achieved.
Provision of a detailed budget with eligible costs, clear justification for expenditures, and demonstration of value for money.

How to apply

Review Eligibility and Guidelines

Read the application guide thoroughly to understand the Entrepreneurship Fund objectives and eligibility requirements.
Ensure your business meets the criteria of being women-owned and/or women-led, and a small to medium enterprise in operation for at least two years.

Gather Required Documents

Prepare annual financial statements for the past two years and a one-year financial forecast.
Gather a scanned copy of the application package signed by an authorized official.
Ensure incorporation documents are ready if applicable.

Complete Application Form

Fill out the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Application Form with accurate details including applicant contact information and demographic data.
Provide a brief organization overview and describe proposed activities and objectives.

Submission

Submit the complete application package through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy portal by the specified deadline.
If in a rural or remote area with limited internet access, ensure the application package is postmarked by the deadline date and sent by registered mail.

Confirmation

Expect an acknowledgment of your application receipt within two business days.
Retain confirmation for your records.

Additional information

An organization must sign a solemn declaration attesting that it is women-owned and/or women-led to apply.
Projects and recipients will be publicly announced after approval.
Applicants must submit annual financial statements for the past two years and a one-year financial forecast as part of the application package.
In-kind contributions are not recognized under this fund.

Contacts

ic.wes-sfe.ic@canada.ca

1-800-328-6189

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)?

Business scale-up initiatives aimed at expanding company operations. Projects focused on accessing new national or international markets. Development and implementation of strategies to pursue market opportunities abroad, including international marketing and supply chain integration. Product or service innovation and improvements to enhance competitiveness. Business growth strategies supporting expansion, such as process improvements or technology upgrades.