Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Federal Funding
Canada's comprehensive $6B federal investment in women entrepreneurship through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Access financing, mentorship, networks, and business development support designed specifically for women-led businesses across all stages of growth and development.
WES as Federal Gender Equality Policy Tool
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy represents Canada's first comprehensive federal strategy dedicated to advancing women's entrepreneurship. Launched by Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada (ISED) as a $6 billion investment, WES addresses systemic barriers that prevent women from starting, growing, and scaling businesses. The strategy integrates financing, ecosystem support, and policy initiatives to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2026.
Federal Policy Objectives
- • Gender equality and women's economic empowerment
- • Elimination of systemic barriers to women's entrepreneurship
- • Doubling women-owned businesses by 2026
- • Comprehensive ecosystem development and support
Strategic Federal Integration
- • Integration with federal innovation and economic strategies
- • Coordination with other ISED business programs
- • Alignment with gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)
- • Connection to federal trade and export initiatives
Major WES Federal Programs
Federal support for not-for-profit organizations to strengthen capacity within the women entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service for women entrepreneurs across Canada.
Eligible Organizations:
- • Business and entrepreneur support organizations
- • Research and innovation hubs
- • Post-secondary institutions and universities
- • Business accelerators and incubators
Funded Activities:
- • Mentoring and networking programs
- • Capacity building and skills development
- • Business development and deployment supports
- • Inclusive networks and partnerships
Federal Requirements:
- • Canadian not-for-profit organization
- • Minimum 3 years of operation
- • Women entrepreneurship mandate or programming
- • Partnership requirements with other organizations
Direct federal funding to women-owned and women-led businesses to help them grow and reach export markets, supporting business expansion and international competitiveness.
Eligibility Requirements:
- • Women-owned (51% or more ownership by women)
- • Existing business operations and revenue
- • Growth and export market potential
- • Canadian incorporation and operations
- • Demonstrated market traction and viability
Funded Activities:
- • Business growth and expansion initiatives
- • Export market development and penetration
- • Technology adoption and digital transformation
- • Marketing and brand development
- • Product development and innovation
Federal initiative to strengthen and build a more inclusive risk and growth capital ecosystem for women entrepreneurs by supporting diverse fund managers and investment strategies.
Investment Focus Areas:
- • Diverse fund manager development and support
- • Women-led venture capital fund establishment
- • Investment pipeline development for women entrepreneurs
- • Gender lens investing capacity building
Federal Ecosystem Impact:
- • Increased venture capital access for women entrepreneurs
- • Diversified investment decision-making
- • Enhanced risk capital ecosystem inclusivity
- • Strengthened women entrepreneurship support network
Federal research initiative providing data, insights, and evidence-based research to inform policy development and support the growth of women's entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada.
Research Areas:
- • Women entrepreneurship landscape analysis
- • Barrier identification and solution research
- • Best practices and success factor analysis
- • Impact measurement and evaluation
Knowledge Products:
- • Annual State of Women's Entrepreneurship reports
- • Policy briefings and recommendations
- • Data dashboards and interactive tools
- • Research publications and case studies
Federal Policy Support:
- • Evidence-based policy development
- • Program design and implementation guidance
- • Impact assessment and measurement
- • International best practice integration
Procurement & Supply Chain:
- • Supplier Diversity Certification: Supporting women-owned business certification
- • Government Procurement Access: Enhanced access to federal contracts
- • Corporate Supply Chain Integration: Private sector partnership development
- • Procurement Readiness: Business development for government contracting
Specialized Support Programs:
- • Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs: Culturally appropriate business support
- • Newcomer Women Entrepreneurs: Settlement and business integration
- • Rural and Remote Support: Geographic barrier address initiatives
- • Youth Women Entrepreneurs: Young women business leadership development
WES Federal Policy Integration
🏛️ Federal Gender Equality Integration:
- Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+): Systematic integration across all federal programs
- Federal Feminist International Assistance: Global women entrepreneurship leadership
- Pay Equity and Childcare: Comprehensive women's economic empowerment
- Federal Diversity and Inclusion: Intersectional approach to entrepreneurship support
🔗 Federal Program Synergies:
- ISED Program Integration: Coordination with IRAP, SIF, and regional development agencies
- Trade and Export Development: Global Affairs Canada partnership for international markets
- BDC Collaboration: Enhanced financing and advisory services for women entrepreneurs
- Innovation Superclusters: Women's leadership in innovation ecosystem development
WES Federal Application Process
Women-Led Business Verification and Program Selection
Confirm women ownership (51% or more) and select appropriate WES program stream based on business stage and support needs.
Business Assessment and Federal Alignment
Evaluate business readiness, growth potential, and alignment with federal women entrepreneurship policy objectives.
Comprehensive Application Development and Submission
Prepare detailed application with business plan, growth strategy, and demonstration of women entrepreneurship ecosystem contribution.
Federal Review and Gender Impact Assessment
ISED evaluation including business merit assessment, women entrepreneurship impact, and federal policy alignment verification.
Federal Support Agreement and Ecosystem Integration
Execute federal funding agreement with performance milestones and integration into broader WES ecosystem support network.
WES Federal Application Success Strategies
✅ Women Entrepreneurship Federal Success Factors:
- Clear Women Leadership: Demonstrate genuine women ownership and leadership (51%+ ownership)
- Federal Policy Alignment: Connect business goals to WES objectives and gender equality priorities
- Ecosystem Contribution: Show how success will benefit broader women entrepreneurship ecosystem
- Growth and Impact Potential: Present clear scaling strategy and measurable impact metrics
❌ Common WES Federal Application Mistakes:
- Insufficient Women Leadership Evidence:
Not clearly documenting women ownership, control, and decision-making authority
- Weak Gender Impact Articulation:
Failing to connect business success to broader women entrepreneurship ecosystem benefits
- Limited Growth Strategy:
Insufficient demonstration of scaling potential and market expansion plans
- Poor Network Integration:
Not leveraging WES ecosystem resources and partnership opportunities
Ready to Access WES Federal Women Entrepreneurship Support?
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