Canadian Support Organizations Helping Women Entrepreneurs All Year Long

By Jocelyn Courneya  |  

Support for women entrepreneurs is essential in boosting and strengthening Canada’s economy. However, there continues to be a stark gender gap and biases in financial support and business tools for women founders. According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, only 17% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are owned by women.

At Startup Canada, we know that when you support women, you support a nation. That’s why we offer exclusive support and programming for women entrepreneurs, including those in the trans and non-binary community, through our Startup Women program. We have also put together a list of other organizations and programs from across Canada that are working to support women entrepreneurs all year long!

Alberta

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) offers a variety of programs for women entrepreneurs at all stages of their business. AWE offers access to capital, training and workshops, and business advising. They also offer the AWE Growth Loan with available financing of up to $150,000. 

British Columbia 

WeBC is a non-profit organization focused on empowering women entrepreneurs so they can make an impact in their communities and create opportunities in BC’s economy! WeBC offers women entrepreneurs support in financing, business skills development, mentorship, and expert advisory services.

Manitoba

The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba helps women looking to start or expand their businesses. Their three core services include advising, financing, and training. They also host a series of events and networking and mentorship opportunities throughout the year!

New Brunswick 

Women in Business New Brunswick assists both current and aspiring women entrepreneurs throughout New Brunswick through their business counselling and services! They offer a variety of resources on how to start-up, grow, and export for your business, as well as a variety of programs, including their 11-week business start-up training program. 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) offers programs and services for women in Newfoundland and Labrador to start, grow, and advance their businesses! Their services include start-up, growth, export, and networking support. Services are free of charge no matter where in the province you are located! 

Northwest Territories 

The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) offers specific support for Indigenous women entrepreneurs through their Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur Program. The program was created to help reduce the additional barriers Indigenous women face when starting and growing their businesses. Through the program, they have developed a report on the state of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship in Canada and offer loans up to $50,000 through their Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund.

Nova Scotia 

The Centre for Women in Business offers a full spectrum of support for women entrepreneurs from the pre-startup to high-growth stages! They offer a membership program, monthly events, learning opportunities, and funding through the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) National Loan Program.  

Nunavut 

Pauktuutit is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Their Inuit Women in Business Network (IWBN) offers members free mentorship, input on new resources, community support, and promotion of their businesses. 

Ontario 

The PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise works to empower women, strengthen small businesses, and promote community economic development across Ontario. PARO assists women entrepreneurs across Ontario in building and growing a company, accessing new growth opportunities, and expanding their access to export markets. 

Prince Edward Island 

The Prince Edward Island Business Women’s Association features a network of women entrepreneurs and business professionals across PEI. Through their membership program, they offer a variety of tools and services, including the Rural Women’s Business Centre and Accelerate HER PEI. 

Quebec 

ELLEvate Women Entrepreneurs is an initiative by YES Employment + Entrepreneurship that aims to empower women in Quebec’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. ELLEvate offers a variety of opportunities, including networking, speaker series, coaching, and workshops. They also host an annual Pre-Accelerator program!

Saskatchewan

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs across Saskatchewan to build their businesses from start to scale-up! WESK offers various services, including business advising, access to industry experts, and the Matchstick program for Indigenous entrepreneurs. WESK also offers financing up to $150,000 for women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. 

Yukon 

däna Näye Ventures is a Yukon-based, First Nation-controlled institution that provides business development and financial services to ALL PEOPLE throughout Yukon. Through the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Program, däna Näye supports Indigenous women entrepreneurs through business counselling and coaching, workshops, training, and micro-lending!

National Resources 

Additional organizations offering annual support to women entrepreneurs across Canada include:

  • Women in Business and Women Enterprise Organizations of Canada
  • iFundWomen
    • iFundWomen offers a number of funding opportunities, including a crowdfunding platform, small business grants from corporate partners, and expert business coaching.
  • Coralus
    • Coralus offers debt financing to women entrepreneurs with 0% interest, repayable over a 5 year period. They have a supportive community of women activators that pool together capital to support entrepreneurs nationwide.
  • Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)
    • WEKH is a national network and accessible digital platform for sharing research and resources, and leading strategies. With 10 regional hubs and a network of more than 250 organizations, WEKH is designed to address the needs of diverse women entrepreneurs across regions and across sectors!
  • RevolutionHer
    • RevolutionHer curates impactful events, programs, and resources for women entrepreneurs. Their flagship RevolutionHer store offers the opportunity to shop 100+ women-owned brands.
  • DMZ Women Innovation Program
    • The DMZ Women Innovation Programs offers three programs for women entrepreneurs across various stages of their business: launchpad, pre-incubator, and incubator. Their annual pitch competition, in partnership with The Firehood, offers up to $100,000 in investment.
  • ELLA by YSpace 
    • York University’s YSpace created ELLA to support women entrepreneurs with advisory services, mentorship, and resources to expand to new markets.
  • The Firehood
    • The Firehood is a group of angel investors that provides early-stage funding for women-led businesses in technology.
  • BDC Thrive Fund
    • BDC Thrive Fund is a $500 million investment platform that invests in women-led technology businesses at the seed and Series A/B stages.
  • The51
    • The51 is a national venture fund that provides seed-series A stage capital for women entrepreneurs.

Wrap-up

Are you looking to access more resources and support organizations for women entrepreneurs across Canada? Check out our comprehensive list of resources in the Startup Women Resource Guide.