How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Women Entrepreneur Program?

Women Entrepreneur Program is funded by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Government of Canada

What are Women Entrepreneur Program's eligibility criterias?

The business must be owned or operated by a woman involved in agriculture, agribusiness, or food sectors.

Women Entrepreneur Program

Last Update: April 21, 2025

Canada

Support for women in agriculture, agribusiness and food and beverage

Women Entrepreneur Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Open Date : November 14, 2019

Financing Type

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Accommodation and food services

Grant Providers

Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
Government of Canada

Status

Open

Overview of the Women Entrepreneur Program program

Get access to financing, as well as resources designed specifically to help you develop your skills as you start or grow your agriculture, agribusiness and food and beverage businesses

Financing terms and conditions

Unique waiver of loan processing fees up to a limit of $1,000, to be reinvested in development activities.

Eligible projects & activities

Starting or expanding a business in the agriculture, agribusiness, or food sectors by women entrepreneurs.
Participating in business and competency skill development activities tailored for women in agriculture and food industries.
Engaging in networking and mentorship programs designed for women entrepreneurs in agriculture and food sectors.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 15,000

Launching a mentorship program for women in agriculture

$ 25,000

Hosting a food and beverage networking event

$ 35,000

Upgrading dairy production facilities

$ 30,000

Developing a women-led agritech startup initiative

$ 30,000

Expanding organic vegetable farm operations

$ 20,000

Creating an online training platform for agribusiness skills

Eligibility criteria of the Women Entrepreneur Program program

The applicant must be a woman involved in the agriculture, agribusiness, or food sector.
The business must be seeking financing to start or grow its operations within these sectors.

Who is eligible?

Women-led businesses in agriculture
Women-led agribusinesses
Women-led businesses in the food industry

Eligible expenses

Skill development investments for women entrepreneurs, covered by a one-time loan processing fee waiver (up to $1,000).

How to apply to the Women Entrepreneur Program program

Contact FCC

Call FCC at 1-888-332-3301 to express interest in the Women Entrepreneur Loan.
Schedule a meeting with an FCC Relationship Manager to discuss your business needs and potential loan terms.

Loan Application Preparation

Gather necessary financial documents including cash flow statements and net worth statements.
Prepare a solid business plan, considering guidance from FCC resources such as the "10 steps to a solid business plan".

Skills and Resource Development

Explore and participate in events and mentoring opportunities listed for skill enhancement.
Utilize FCC's resources for strengthening specific business competencies.

Application Submission

Complete loan application with the assistance of the FCC Relationship Manager.
Submit the application to FCC as directed during your meeting, ensuring all requirements are met and documents are included.

Additional information

Learning events address topics deemed priority by women entrepreneurs.
An updated list of groups, events, and mentoring opportunities is accessible to participants.
Resources such as guides, calculators, and insights are available to facilitate understanding of loans.
The program aims to promote a diverse and open agricultural industry.