Vancity Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program

The Vancity Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program provides targeted financing options designed to support the unique needs of women-owned businesses at different stages of growth. These options help ensure access to necessary capital with advantageous terms.

• A variable rate line of credit up to $20,000 for startups, with the rate at Vancity Prime +3%.
• A variable rate term loan up to $100,000 for growth, with a rate at Vancity Prime +1.5% after an initial interest-free period of six months.
• The growth loan offers a maximum term of 60 months.
• Both financing options include complimentary business training and mentoring services from WeBC.

Eligibility for the Vancity Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program requires adherence to specific criteria related to business ownership, location, and the applicant's profile.

• The applicant must be a woman who owns and controls at least 51% of a business.
• The business must be registered and located in British Columbia, specifically in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley (up to and including Hope), Victoria, or Sea to Sky region.
• The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
• The applicant must be over 19 years old.
• The business must have been operating for at least six months for the line of credit option and at least twelve months for the term loan option.
• The business must have a minimum credit score of 680 for the line of credit option.
• Applications from outside the specified regions for the Start-Up Option will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but the Growth Option is not available outside of Vancity’s lending region.

Who is eligible?

The Vancity Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program is designed for women who own and control at least 51% of a business that is registered and located in British Columbia. Eligible applicants must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents over the age of 19 years. Additionally, businesses should have been operational for a minimum of six months for the line of credit option and at least twelve months for the growth loan option. The applicants must be located in specific regions including the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley (up to and including Hope), Victoria, or Sea to Sky region. A minimum credit score of 680 is required for the line of credit option. While the Start-Up Option allows for some discretion for applications from outside the listed areas, the Growth Option is strictly available within Vancity’s lending region.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is intended for companies situated in regions served by the funding organization. The eligible areas for applicants ensure local economic development and support women entrepreneurs effectively.

• Businesses located in the Lower Mainland.
• Companies based in the Fraser Valley, up to and including Hope.
• Enterprises in Victoria.
• Organizations operating in the Sea to Sky region.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Complimentary support and advice are provided through WeBC, including access to a resource library and business advisors to aid in business goal achievement.
• WeBC offers peer and one-to-one mentoring programs as part of the support services.
• There's an emphasis on skill development, risk management, and future planning support from WeBC.
• The line of credit option has a simplified approval process, potentially making it quicker compared to traditional options.
• For the Growth loan, the first 6 months are interest-free, allowing entrepreneurs some financial relief during the initial period.