PARO Services
Last Update: July 22, 2025
ON, Canada
Support and networking services for women entrepreneurs in Ontario
PARO Services at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
Financing Type
Expert Advice
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
Program status
Open
Overview of the PARO Services program
Services and programs for start-up, growth and networking, specializing in women in business, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises.
Eligible projects & activities
PARO Services offers a range of programs and resources aimed at empowering women in Ontario to start and grow their businesses, enhance networking, and facilitate personal and professional development. Eligible activities are designed to support business initiation, growth strategies, and network building.
- Programs to help women start their new businesses through business development, advisory services, and technical resources.
- Resources and support for business growth, including advising on decision-making and facilitating connections.
- Opportunities for expanding business networks among women entrepreneurs.
- Workshops, conferences, and events for personal and professional development.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 7,000
Expansion of an organic urban farming initiative
$ 8,000
Technology upgrade for a women's shelter
$ 7,500
Creation of a networking platform for women in tech
$ 6,000
Development of a health and wellness app for women
$ 7,000
Online marketplace expansion for Indigenous artisans
Eligibility criteria of the PARO Services program
Eligibility for support from the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise is centered around specific characteristics of the entrepreneurs and businesses they aim to empower.
- The applicant must be a woman or identify as a woman entrepreneur.
- The business must be located in Ontario, Canada.
- The applicant's business should be a small or medium-sized enterprise or a social enterprise.
- The applicant should demonstrate a need for business development, growth, or networking support.
Who is eligible?
PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise supports Ontario women involved in small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises. Their programs are specially tailored for women looking to start, grow, or network their businesses. Women entrepreneurs seeking to leverage business development services, advisory support, and networking opportunities are eligible to engage with PARO's services.
Eligible expenses
The eligible projects under this grant are aimed at supporting women in Ontario to establish, grow, and network their businesses. These activities are designed to facilitate business development, provide advisory support, and enhance networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
- Starting a new business with business development programs, advisory services, and technical resources.
- Growing existing businesses through advisory support and resource facilitation to achieve next-level growth.
- Building networks to develop new connections and improve business operations.
- Participating in workshops, conferences, and events for personal and professional development.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant specifically supports women in business within Ontario. The focus is on enhancing economic development and empowering female entrepreneurs in this region.
- Businesses and social enterprises located in Ontario.
Eligibility criteria of the PARO Services program
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
- Business viability and sustainability
- Economic impact
- Alignment with PARO's mission and values
- Evidence of need and benefits
How to apply to the PARO Services program
1
Preparation of documents
- Complete the grant application form
- Prepare a detailed business plan
- Gather relevant financial documents
2
Submission of the application
- Send the application form and required documents to PARO
- Wait for confirmation of receipt of the application
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Ponder upon the workshops, conferences, and events offered regularly for continuous personal and business development in connection with your application.
- The PARO Centre supports the business journey at all stages, from start-up to growth and networking, which should be reflected in your business plan or proposal to showcase relevance.
- Utilizing PARO's resources, like the myPAROPath Login or the B2B database, could enhance your application by demonstrating alignment with their support services.
- Grantees benefit from connections and advisory services to facilitate decision-making, showcasing a collaborative approach in your application.
- Communicating with the PARO Centre through their various contact options might provide additional insights or clarity on applications.
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