Advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also the smart thing to do. Studies show that by advancing gender equality and women’s participation in the economy, Canada could add billions of dollars in GDP.
Only 17% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are owned by women. The Government of Canada is working to change that with Canada’s first ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), launched in 2018.
WES includes nearly $7 billion in investments and commitments that are helping hundreds of thousands of women access the financing, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and expand into international markets.
Find out how the WES is helping Canadian businesswomen find success.
WES programs
WES Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative
Discover how the WES Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative is helping build a more equitable venture capital environment for Canadian women.
Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
Find organizations offering up to $50,000 in loans to help your business start up, scale up and access international markets.
WES Ecosystem Fund
Find organizations offering business support such as training, mentorship and networking opportunities in your region.
The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Explore the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub to get key data on women entrepreneurship, gain useful insights for your business and link in with learning events and networking opportunities.
"The Government of Canada is taking concrete steps to build a more inclusive economy that works for everyone. This means breaking down the barriers women face in accessing the financing, mentorship and networks they need to start and grow a business. The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy has helped hundreds of thousands of women reach their entrepreneurship goals since launching in 2018. By investing in women and other under-represented entrepreneurs, we are investing in strengthening the economy and creating good middle-class jobs for Canadians across the country."
– The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business
Watch a video statement on the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy from Minister Valdez.
WES results since 2018
25,600+
total loans or non-repayable grants provided
316,700+
times WES services accessed
3,700+
networking and learning events
2023 progress report
Read our 2023 progress report to find out how WES is making a difference by:
- building a more inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem
- improving women's access to financing
- helping women export
- improving knowledge and data on women entrepreneurship
- diversifying federal procurement
WES success stories
Find out how the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy has helped individual businesses.
Also Recrutement
Also Recrutement was able to expand its services and find helpful networks thanks to the WES.
Tea Horse
WES programs helped this Indigenous-owned artisanal tea company incorporate, scale up its capacity to roast wild rice, and get intellectual property protection.
Watch more WES success story videos
Partner programs
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Women Entrepreneur - Financing
- BDC: Thrive Platform for Women
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI)
- Export Development Canada (EDC): Women in Trade
- EDC: Inclusive Trade Investments Program
- Women and Gender Equality Canada: Women's Program
- Farm Credit Canada: Women Entrepreneur Program
- Public Services and Procurement Canada: Procurement Assistance Canada
- Global Affairs Canada (GAC): Business Women in International Trade
- GAC: CanExport funding for exporters
- GAC: Canada's Inclusive Approach to Trade
Related links
News releases
- March 26, 2024 – Minister Valdez announces launch of Maïa Inclusive Growth Project to support hundreds of women entrepreneurs across Canada
- March 18, 2024 – Minister Valdez announces key findings of the State of Women Entrepreneurship annual report and reaffirms support for women entrepreneurs across Canada
- March 8, 2024 – Minister Valdez announces new support for Indigenous women and youth entrepreneurs
- November 17, 2023 – Minister Valdez announces nearly $4 million to continue supporting women entrepreneurs across Canada
- October 16, 2023 - Minister Valdez kicks off Small Business Week and announces nearly $3 million in funding to support women entrepreneurs across Canada
- March 8, 2023 - International Women's Day 2023: Minister Ng announces recipients of funding under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
- December 1, 2022 - Minister Ng announces that Evol is helping deliver much-needed access to capital to women entrepreneurs in Quebec
- August 15, 2022 - Minister Ng announces that Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada will help deliver much-needed access to capital to women entrepreneurs across the country
- April 25, 2022 – Minister Ng launches call for applications to deliver the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative
- March 28, 2022 – Minister Ng announces renewed funding for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
- March 8, 2022 – Minister Ng announces the next phase of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
- January 11, 2022 – Minister Ng announces new call for proposals under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund
- July 28, 2021 – Minister Ng launches call for applications to deliver the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund