Grant Funding for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada

Women entrepreneurs in Canada have access to a mix of dedicated programs and every general grant their business would otherwise qualify for. The dedicated programs get the most attention, but they're usually smaller than the general funding available by sector and project type.

Dedicated funding for women-owned businesses

Federal and provincial programs offer loans, grants, and mentorship specifically for women entrepreneurs, often through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and regional partners. These programs vary by province and sector, and are worth checking even for businesses that already qualify for general funding.

General funding still applies in full

A women-owned tech startup qualifies for the same IRAP and SR&ED funding as any tech startup. A women-owned manufacturer qualifies for the same manufacturing and export programs as any manufacturer. Checking only the women-specific programs usually means missing the larger pool of general funding.

How to actually combine both

Check general programs first based on your sector and project, then layer dedicated women's entrepreneurship funding on top where it applies, rather than treating the two as separate searches.

Next steps

Run FundScout's free eligibility check to see your full set of general matches, then check Women Entrepreneurship Strategy programs for what layers on top. Check your matches.