How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $100000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

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)

What are Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)'s eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a women-owned and/or women-led for-profit organization. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years. The organization should qualify as a small to medium enterprise (SME), having less than 500 employees.

Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)

Canada

Supporting women entrepreneurs in growth and market opportunities

grant_single|update February 28, 2025

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grant_single|closingDateNovember 15, 2018
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Grant and Funding

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Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Health care and social assistance

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Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

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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.

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The Women Entrepreneurship Fund supports projects that bolster business growth and create new market opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Eligible activities are those that enhance business operations through strategic expansion and market outreach both domestically and internationally.

Supporting the pursuit of market opportunities abroad, such as developing international marketing strategies and integrating into global supply chains.
Supporting business scale-up, expansion, and growth, including product development, process improvements, and technology upgrades.
Improving inventory management and value stream mapping to optimize operations.
Investing in improvements to facility equipment and technology.
Enhancement of online presence and website development to reach new markets.
Other strategic activities that align with the objectives of fostering growth for women-led enterprises.

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Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and the nature of the projects.

The applicant must be a for-profit organization, including an individual operating a business, partnerships, social enterprises, incorporated companies, corporations or co-operatives, and Indigenous organizations.
The business must be women-owned and/or women-led.
The business must be a small to medium enterprise (SME) with less than 500 employees.
The business must have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years.
Not-for-profit organizations and government or municipal entities are ineligible.

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Eligible applicants for the Women Entrepreneurship Fund must meet several criteria to be considered for funding. These applicants include:1. For-profit Organizations: - Individual business operators. - Partnerships. - Social enterprises. - Incorporated companies, corporations, or co-operatives. - Indigenous organizations.2. Women-owned and/or Women-led Businesses: This refers to enterprises where women own a majority stake or hold significant roles in management and decision-making.3. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Businesses must have fewer than 500 employees.4. Established Businesses: Applicants must have been in operation for a minimum of two years.Priority in funding allocation is given to diverse women entrepreneurs (e.g., women with disabilities, Indigenous women, women in rural or remote regions, recent immigrants, visible minority women, and women from Official Language Minority Communities), businesses related to sectors identified by the Economic Strategy Table, and projects seeking to explore market opportunities abroad.

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This grant excludes certain types of organizations based on their status, ensuring the funding aligns with the objectives of supporting women-owned and/or women-led SMEs. Ineligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations and government or municipal entities.

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

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The grant covers specific expenses essential to executing the project under the Women Entrepreneurship Fund.

Cost of labour.
Capital costs including purchase of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure.
Operating costs such as management fees or working capital.
Consultancy fees.
Costs related to intellectual property.
Preproduction costs.
Commercialization costs.
Subcontracting costs.
Production and distribution of promotional materials and management tools.
Anticipated cost of maintaining the useful life of an asset for a reasonable period.
Production of management tools.
Other necessary costs as approved by the Minister.
Advisory expenses including fees for business advisory services from a financial institution.
Coaching, mentoring or networking events, workshops or conference fees.
Legal, accounting, or technical supports.
Fees associated with participation in business training through an accelerator, incubator, or other business service organization.

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Eligible geographical areas for this grant are not explicitly stated, suggesting the need for alignment with regional economic strategies. Companies are encouraged to consider their sector's applicable economic strategy tables.

Alignment with sectors like advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and clean technology is implied for eligibility.
Canadian businesses that include diverse, women-led enterprises are prioritized.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure they align with the objectives of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund.

Capacity: Demonstrates a clear and relevant company profile, effective management structure, and the capacity to manage the proposed project size and scope.
Implementation: Project aligns with the objectives of the Initiative with clear and feasible timelines, relevant activities, and well-defined responsibilities and processes.
Viability: Demonstrates applicable market research, competitive advantage, and expected economic benefits such as job creation and revenue growth.
Performance Measurement: Clearly identifies outcomes that align with the Fund’s objectives and explains how these outcomes will be achieved.
Risk Mitigation: Identifies potential risks with reasonable mitigation strategies.
Budget: Provides detailed and justifiable eligible costs, demonstrates value for money, and reasonable funding allocation for advisory services or evidence of existing capacity.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applications were assessed on a competitive basis, prioritizing diverse women entrepreneurs and those related to strategic sectors or international markets.
The Government of Canada may enter into a Contribution Agreement with successful applicants outlining responsibilities and obligations.
Successful projects will be made public once recipients are announced.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid last-minute submission issues.
Advisory expenses, including mentoring and training, are encouraged and considered eligible costs.
The grant is non-repayable and contributes to the long-term growth and market expansion of women-owned or women-led businesses.
Successful applicants must submit progress and performance reports to demonstrate the achievement of project outcomes.
A stacking limit applies, ensuring that total government assistance does not exceed total eligible costs.