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Woman entrepreneur
Flexible financing for women-led businesses
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
BDC offers an inclusive entrepreneurship loan of up to $350,000 for women entrepreneurs, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and Black entrepreneurs. The financing can be used for growth projects, equipment purchases, and technology investments, including hardware, software, and e-commerce development.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Newcomers to Canada
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Launching growth projects.
- Purchasing new or used equipment.
- Investing in technology and e-commerce.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Women-led businesses
- Indigenous-led businesses
- Black-led businesses
Who is not eligible
- Businesses not majority-owned and led by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneurs.
- Businesses with annual revenue of $3 million or more.
Eligible expenses
- Inventory purchases for growth projects.
- New or used equipment.
- Hardware, software, and e-commerce website development.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed to confirm eligibility.
- A BDC specialist helps complete the loan application.
- Approved applicants sign the agreement and receive funds.
- Conditions apply to the final rate reduction and funding terms.
Additional information
- BDC offers free resources for women entrepreneurs, including articles, tools and exclusive content to support business management.
- A free Digital maturity assessment tool is available to help businesses evaluate readiness for digital transformation.
- BDC provides a free Learning Centre with self-paced courses aimed at building business leadership skills.
- BDC also promotes networking and learning opportunities through upcoming events for entrepreneurs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Woman entrepreneur Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Woman entrepreneur. 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 Woman entrepreneur?
BDC offers an inclusive entrepreneurship loan of up to $350,000 for women entrepreneurs, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and Black entrepreneurs. The financing can be used for growth projects, equipment purchases, and technology investments, including hardware, software, and e-commerce development.
Who is eligible for the Woman entrepreneur program?
To be eligible for the Woman entrepreneur program, you must:
51%+ owned and led by women, Indigenous, or Black entrepreneurs.
Based in Canada.
Revenue under $3 million.
What expenses are eligible under Woman entrepreneur?
Launching growth projects.
Purchasing new or used equipment.
Investing in technology and e-commerce.
Who can I contact for more information about the Woman entrepreneur?
You can contact Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) or by phone at 1-877-232-2269.
Where is the Woman entrepreneur available?
The Woman entrepreneur program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the Woman entrepreneur?
Woman entrepreneur is funded by Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)