Women Entrepreneur Program
Last Update: August 21, 2025
Canada
Support for women in agriculture, agribusiness and food and beverage
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
Funds Providers
Program status
Open
Overview
The Women Entrepreneur Program by FCC dedicates up to $500 million over three years in lending to support women in agriculture, agribusiness, and food sectors. The program funds activities such as business start-up or expansion, skill development, and provides access to industry resources and mentorship.
Financing terms and conditions
- Unique waiver of loan processing fees up to a limit of $1,000, to be reinvested in development activities.
Activities funded
- 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:
$ 25,000
Hosting a food and beverage networking event
$ 30,000
Developing a women-led agritech startup initiative
$ 15,000
Launching a mentorship program for women in agriculture
$ 35,000
Upgrading dairy production facilities
$ 20,000
Creating an online training platform for agribusiness skills
$ 30,000
Expanding organic vegetable farm operations
Eligibility
- 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
1
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.
2
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".
3
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.
4
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.
Contacts
csc@fcc-fac.ca
1-306-780-8900
Canada
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Women Entrepreneur Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Women Entrepreneur 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 Women Entrepreneur Program?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Women Entrepreneur Program?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Women Entrepreneur Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Women Entrepreneur Program?
Who is eligible for the Women Entrepreneur Program program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Women Entrepreneur Program?
Where is the Women Entrepreneur Program available?
Are women eligible for the Women Entrepreneur Program program?
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