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Grant Guides 7 min read February 18, 2025

Best Grants for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada (2025 Guide)

Why Dedicated Grants for Women Entrepreneurs Exist


Women-owned businesses represent 15.6% of Canadian SMBs yet receive a disproportionately small share of traditional business financing. Government grants specifically targeting women entrepreneurs exist to correct this market failure — not as charity, but as sound economic policy.


Studies show that companies with women in leadership roles outperform peers by 15% on profitability. Closing the gender funding gap is projected to add $150 billion to the Canadian economy.


Top Federal Grants for Women Entrepreneurs


1. Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)

  • **Amount:** Up to $100,000
  • **Administered by:** Regional Development Agencies (BDC, FedDev Ontario, etc.)
  • **Eligibility:** Women-majority owned (51%+) Canadian businesses with revenue and looking to scale
  • **Use of funds:** Capital investment, hiring, market expansion

    • 2. Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund

  • **Amount:** Varies by project ($250K–$2M+)
  • **For:** Organizations that support women entrepreneurs (accelerators, mentorship programs, networks)
  • **Note:** Not directly for individual businesses, but worth knowing to access ecosystem support

    • 3. BDC Women in Technology Venture Fund

  • **Amount:** Equity investment (not a grant, but non-dilutive options exist through BDC advisors)
  • **Best for:** Women-led tech companies seeking growth capital alongside grants

    • 4. Futurpreneur Canada — Women Stream

  • **Amount:** Up to $60,000 (loan + mentorship)
  • **For:** Women entrepreneurs aged 18–39
  • **Note:** This is a low-interest loan with mentorship, not a pure grant — but worth including for early-stage founders

    • Provincial Programs for Women Business Owners


    | Province | Program | Amount |

    |----------|---------|--------|

    | Ontario | PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise | Up to $15,000 |
    | BC | Women's Enterprise Centre | Up to $150,000 (loan) |
    | Alberta | Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) | Up to $150,000 |
    | Quebec | Réseau des femmes d'affaires du Québec | Varies |
    | Manitoba | Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba | Up to $150,000 |

    How to Strengthen Your Women Entrepreneur Grant Application


    1. **Prove 51%+ ownership** — Provide share registry, partnership agreement, or articles of incorporation showing your ownership percentage

    2. **Quantify your economic impact** — Jobs created, especially for other women or underrepresented groups

    3. **Demonstrate growth trajectory** — Show revenue growth, new markets, and a credible plan for how funding accelerates your trajectory

    4. **Reference the gender lens explicitly** — Explain how your business model or leadership team addresses gender equity in your industry


    Using GrantWise to Find Women-Specific Grants


    GrantWise's grant database includes a dedicated "Women-Owned Business" category filter. When you set up your business profile and mark your business as women-majority owned, our AI automatically prioritizes and weights these programs in your matches — and tailors your application language to emphasize the economic case for women-led growth.