Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)

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.

• 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.

• Step 1: Review Application GuideRead the application guide thoroughly to understand the objectives, requirements, and process of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund.
• Step 2: Gather Required Information and DocumentsComplete the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Application Form.
• Collect all required supporting documents, including:Annual financial statements for the past two years (audited, review engagement, or notice to reader acceptable).
• A one-year financial forecast.
• Incorporation documents (if applicable).
• A declaration that your organization is women-owned and/or women-led.
• A declaration that your organization has the available funding to meet the stated leveraging amount committed under total project costs.
• Step 3: Prepare Project ProposalComplete all sections of the application form, providing detailed information on your organization, project activities, outcomes, budget, and required declarations.
• Sign the application package by an authorized official, including the geographical location (city) where the form was signed.
• Step 4: Submit Application PackageSubmit your complete application package electronically through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy portal before the specified deadline.
• If in a rural or remote area with limited internet access, mail the package (postmarked no later than the deadline) by registered mail to the address provided for the Small Business Branch of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
• Step 5: Confirmation of ReceiptReceive acknowledgment of receipt of your application package within two business days.

• 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.