(updated 3/5/2021)
Women entrepreneurship is growing in Canada. There are more than 360,000[1] self-employed women in Canada, with a 30% increase in women-owned businesses in the last ten years.
Not only is this inspiring for women who are interested in starting their own business, but it presents the opportunity to build a stronger economy. Research shows that by increasing the number of women entrepreneurs, it provides an estimated potential $150 billion GDP economic gain. [2]
Women entrepreneurs in Canada benefit from being a part of a strong business environment, social and political stability, and access to education, to help them start and scale-up their company. In addition to this, there is support from the Federal Government of Canada through a $2 billion program to double the number of women-owned business by 2025.[3]
The following is a list of resources, guides, and support available for women entrepreneurs to help start and build their businesses, including mentorship, training, funding, management, skills training, and more.
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP – PANDEMIC | Resources, funding & support
- COVID-19 – Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada – wekh.ca
- Government of Canada to Invest $100M to support women impacted by the pandemic – canada.ca
- Economic Insights | Women-owned Enterprises in Canada – www.150.statcan.gc.ca
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP STRATEGY
The Government of Canada is advancing women’s economic empowerment with the first-ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) to help women grow their business through access to financing, talent, networks and expertise.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS GUIDES
The Government of Canada provides guides for women entrepreneurs to start, manage and grow their business; including financing, business planning, support groups, regulations and taxation, and inspirational stories.
GRANTS, FINANCING AND FUNDING FOR BUSINESS WOMEN
The Government of Canada provides links to resources for women entrepreneurs to access funding to capitalize on opportunities, diversify markets and grow on a global scale.
- Funding for businesswomen – Tradecommissioner.gc.ca
- Business Grants and Financing – www.canada.ca
BUSINESS WOMEN IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) program of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps open doors and opportunities for Canadian women-owned businesses to successfully expand into global markets. BWIT offers women-focused trade missions, funding and financing, exporting advice and support and international contacts and opportunities.
Export help for Canadian Women – www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca
BUSINESS WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers the BDC Capital’s Women in Technology (WIT) Venture Fund, helping support and grow great women leaders in tech and in venture, including offering direct investments, hosting international trade missions, networking and workshop events, and more. In the first year of investments, the fund almost tripled to $200 million, making it the largest venture fund of its kind. In addition to the WIT Fund, BDC committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and has earmarked $1.4 billion in lending for women-led businesses by 2021
Women in Technology (WIT) Funding – bdc.ca
The CanWIT (Women in Tech) Group is a GLOBAL Forum for women professionals to connect with peers, share knowledge, promote research, collaborate and seek suggestions and advice on career advancement and business growth in the high-growth technology sector.
CanWIT (Women in Tech) networking group – cata.ca
[1] Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, Employment by class of worker
[2] www.mckinsey.com – MGI Study | Women Matter – The power of parity. Advancing women in Canada.
