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WEOC National Loan Program
OEFC offers microloans to empower women entrepreneurs in Canada
Last Update: May 1, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The OEFC Loan Program offers up to $50,000 to support women entrepreneurs in overcoming financial barriers, emphasizing the development and expansion of women-owned businesses in Canada. Eligible activities include expenses like office rent, professional services, inventory, digital development, and marketing.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
This grant provides financial support to women entrepreneurs for various essential business needs. Eligible activities cover a wide range of operational expenses and growth initiatives crucial for business development and sustainability.
- Office and equipment leasing.
- Salaries and employee benefits, excluding owner’s salary.
- Purchase of IT/software licenses.
- Professional services.
- Inventory and supplies.
- Intellectual property expenses.
- Working capital, including payroll, lease payments, account management, rent, and overhead costs.
- Digital initiatives, including website and e-commerce development.
- Business marketing, advertising, and promotion.
- Employee training programs.
- Accounts receivable financing for service contracts.
- Startup costs including legal fees, incorporation fees, and business plan development.
Documents Needed
- Business plan with two years of cash flow projections.
- Business overview and growth plan for existing businesses.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Female entrepreneurs who are at least 19 years old, have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, and reside in Canada are eligible to apply. Additionally, eligible businesses must be 50% owned by women and have gross revenues not exceeding $2 million.
Eligible expenses
- Office and equipment rental.
- Salaries and benefits, excluding the owner’s salary.
- IT and software licenses.
- Professional services, inventory and supplies, working capital, digital, marketing, employee training, receivables financing, and start-up costs.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Real estate purchases such as land or buildings.
- Goodwill, amortization costs, and assets purchased above fair market value.
- Owner’s salary, bonuses, debt refinancing, stock or share purchases, franchise fees, research and development, management fees, and dividend payouts.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission.
- If a loan is declined, applicants may appeal in writing within 15 business days.
- The appeal is reviewed by the CEO and, if accepted for review, by two independent WEOC staff members.
- A final decision is issued within 2 weeks of the appeal request.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The advisory support from Loan Fund Partner advisors includes guidance through the process and business advice even after the loan is received.
- Administrative fees amount to 1% of the total loan amount, up to a maximum of $500.
- Once the loan is approved, a fixed interest rate, which is the prime rate plus up to 4%, is applicable for the entire loan term.
- Applicants can appeal a loan refusal with a written explanation and additional information within 15 days of the decision.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the WEOC National Loan Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the WEOC National Loan Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the WEOC National Loan Program?
The OEFC Loan Program offers up to $50,000 to support women entrepreneurs in overcoming financial barriers, emphasizing the development and expansion of women-owned businesses in Canada. Eligible activities include expenses like office rent, professional services, inventory, digital development, and marketing.
How much funding can be received?
WEOC National Loan Program Funds up to $50,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the WEOC National Loan Program program?
To be eligible for the WEOC National Loan Program program, you must:
The company must have gross revenues not exceeding $2 million.
The company must be at least 50% owned by women.
What expenses are eligible under WEOC National Loan Program?
This grant provides financial support to women entrepreneurs for various essential business needs. Eligible activities cover a wide range of operational expenses and growth initiatives crucial for business development and sustainability. Office and equipment leasing.
Salaries and employee benefits, excluding owner’s salary.
Purchase of IT/software licenses.
Professional services.
Inventory and supplies.
Intellectual property expenses.
Working capital, including payroll, lease payments, account management, rent, and overhead costs.
Digital initiatives, including website and e-commerce development.
Business marketing, advertising, and promotion.
Employee training programs.
Accounts receivable financing for service contracts.
Startup costs including legal fees, incorporation fees, and business plan development.
Who can I contact for more information about the WEOC National Loan Program?
You can contact Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) or by phone at 204-819-7315.
Where is the WEOC National Loan Program available?
The WEOC National Loan Program program is available across Canada.
Is the WEOC National Loan Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
WEOC National Loan Program is a Loans and Capital investments