Women Entrepreneurship Strategy – Ecosystem Fund
Receive up to $3 Million in Funding Support.
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy – Ecosystem Fund aims to increase women-owned businesses’ access to the financing, talent, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
Quick View
Funding Amount
A non-repayable contribution up to $3 million, defined based on scope and impact of project.
Eligible Applicants
Applicant organizations must be a Canadian not-for-profit organization or association under at least one of the following categories: Business and entrepreneur support organizations, research/innovation hubs, organizations that certify diverse suppliers in Canada, post-secondary institutions, universities, colleges and technical institutes; Indigenous organizations, and business accelerators and incubators.
Amount of Funding
A non-repayable contribution up to $3 million, defined based on scope and impact of project.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants may be eligible for funding if they meet the following criteria:
- Applicant organizations must be a Canadian not-for-profit organization or association which operates at a local, regional or national level and falls under at least one of the following categories:
- Business and entrepreneur support organizations;
- Research/innovation hubs;
- Organizations that certify diverse suppliers in Canada;
- Post-secondary institutions, universities, colleges and technical institutes; Indigenous organizations; and
- Business accelerators and incubators.
- Lead applicant organizations must have been in operation for a minimum of three years (as of September 26, 2022).
- Partner organizations must have been in operation for a minimum of one year.
- Applicants must demonstrate that they meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have an established mandate focused on supporting women and/or women entrepreneurs; and/or
- Have existing programming (offered within the past three years) which specifically targets or is focused on women entrepreneurs/women skills development.
Eligible Activities
Projects for this program can be eligible for funding if they meet these requirements:
- Must be led by an eligible non-for-profit organization that has been in operation for a minimum of three years September 26, 2022;
- All proposed funded activities be completed by March 31, 2025;
- Projects must have a minimum budget of $250,000 and not exceed a budget of $3,000,000;
- Projects must focus on women entrepreneurs or women majority owned businesses (51% or more ownership stake); and
- Project activities and products must be delivered in both official languages.
Program Deadline
Speak with a member of our team to find the latest intake period info for this program or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.