How much funding can be received?

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 activities that enable women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and access new markets. Eligible activities are specifically designed to align with growth strategies and market expansion.

Supporting pursuit of market opportunities abroad, including international marketing strategies and online presence.
Assisting in scale-up, expansion, and growth, such as product development and process improvements.
Addressing improvements in facility equipment and technology.
Providing advisory services to enhance business capabilities.

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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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

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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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.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: Confirmation
Expect an acknowledgment of your application receipt within two business days.
Retain confirmation for your records.

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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.

grant_single_labels|contact

ic.wes-sfe.ic@canada.ca

1-800-328-6189

Apply to this program

Enhancing Opportunities through the Women Entrepreneurship Fund

The Women Entrepreneurship Fund is a substantial initiative by the Government of Canada aimed at fostering the growth of women-owned and women-led businesses by providing them with essential financial support. This fund acts as a catalyst in bridging gender gaps in business ownership and management, ultimately contributing to the wider economic empowerment of women.

In-Depth Understanding of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund and Its Influence

The Women Entrepreneurship Fund, established under the Government of Canada's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, represents a pivotal opportunity for women entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their business ventures. This initiative, launched with a $20 million investment, is designed to support women-owned and women-led businesses in scaling up their operations and exploring new market opportunities, both domestically and internationally. With the aim to counteract the barriers women often face in the business world, the fund seeks to double the number of majority women-owned businesses by 2025, thereby significantly enhancing Canada's economic competitiveness and diversity.

This fund provides eligible enterprises with non-repayable contributions worth up to $100,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate economic viability, potential for revenue growth, and the ability to create or maintain jobs. Projects supported by this fund are typically geared towards business scale-up activities, enabling the pursuit of opportunities in foreign markets, and improving business processes and products through innovative solutions.

Successful applicants are required to cost-share a portion of the project expenses, promoting a partnership-driven approach to funding. Diverse women entrepreneurs, including Indigenous women, women in rural or remote regions, and women from immigrant backgrounds, are particularly prioritized, ensuring that the fund effectively reaches communities that may benefit most from support.

The Women Entrepreneurship Fund not only provides financial assistance but also encourages the utilization of advisory services. This includes guidance on international marketing strategies, supply chain management, and technology enhancements. By facilitating access to expert advice and networking opportunities, the fund helps bolster the capabilities of women entrepreneurs, setting a foundation for sustainable business growth.

Moreover, the fund integrates a comprehensive assessment process to ensure alignment with its strategic objectives, using criteria such as organizational capacity, project viability, and potential for achieving defined outcomes. The competitive assessment enables a fair distribution of resources to projects with the highest impact potential, supporting innovative and market-driven business solutions.

For many women entrepreneurs, this fund offers a vital mechanism through which they can expand their market reach and enhance their business operations. By securing such funding, businesses can leverage resources necessary for technological advancements, product diversification, and entry into international markets, aggrandizing their competitive edge.

Ultimately, the Women Entrepreneurship Fund is more than just a financial resource; it represents a commitment from the Canadian government to promote gender equality in the economic sphere and to empower women entrepreneurs as key contributors to Canada's economic development. Through strategic funding and support, this initiative aims to foster an economically inclusive environment where women-led enterprises thrive, benefitting both the national economy and the global marketplace.