How to Apply for Women Entrepreneurship Fund
Complete step-by-step guide to applying for WEF non-repayable grants for women-owned business expansion, innovation, and growth. Learn funding categories, eligibility, and winning application strategies.
WEF Grant Application Process
Growth-Stage Business Focus
WEF provides non-repayable grant funding for women-owned businesses ready to scale. Unlike loans, these grants don't require repayment and support expansion, innovation, equipment, marketing, R&D, and hiring initiatives with measurable economic impact.
Business Assessment
Evaluate growth readiness and expansion strategy
Develop Grant Proposal
Create comprehensive business case with projections
Submit Application
Apply through ISED with complete documentation
Receive Grant Funding
Approval and non-repayable grant disbursement
WEF Grant Eligibility Requirements
Business Requirements:
- • Women-owned business (51%+ ownership)
- • Canadian incorporated for-profit company
- • Established operations with revenue history
- • Demonstrated growth potential and scalability
- • Strong financial position and stability
- • Clear competitive advantages
Priority Business Stages:
- • Early-stage with market traction
- • Growth-stage ready to scale
- • Revenue-generating enterprises
- • Job creation potential
- • Innovation-focused models
- • Export-ready businesses
WEF Grant Funding Categories
Operational growth, new locations, facility expansion, capacity increases
Product development, innovation initiatives, research activities, IP development
Capital equipment, machinery, technology systems, automation tools
Marketing campaigns, brand development, new market entry, export development
Strategic hiring, employee training, leadership development, team building
WEF Grant Application Success Strategies
✅ Winning Strategies
- Strong growth story with data-backed market opportunity and scalability
- Clear economic impact demonstration with job creation and GDP contribution
- Innovation focus showing competitive advantages and market differentiation
- Comprehensive financials with realistic projections and milestone tracking
❌ Common Pitfalls
- Weak expansion strategy without sufficient market validation or research
- Incomplete financial documentation or unrealistic revenue projections
- Limited economic impact or job creation demonstration
- Applying too early before sufficient operational history
Official WEF Resources
ISED WEF Program
Official Women Entrepreneurship Fund website
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
Complete WES ecosystem overview
WEF Assessment
Free grant eligibility review and strategy
Grant Writing Support
Professional WEF application development
Get Your Free WEF Application Kit
Download our comprehensive WEF grant application guide with funding category breakdown, business case templates, and successful grant application examples.
Request Application GuideReady to Apply for WEF Grant Funding?
Our women entrepreneur grant specialists understand WEF requirements and can help develop your expansion strategy, prepare compelling applications, and maximize approval chances.