Finding the correct funding for your business, especially if you’re a woman, can be challenging; that’s why we’ve done the legwork and compiled a list of all female entrepreneur grants in one spot.
While there are few grant programmes for women-owned businesses, there are a plethora of lending programmes that offer favourable terms, often better than those offered by your typical lender.
If you search closely, you’ll even uncover some unusual, one-of-a-kind programmes to help you receive the cash you need! If you’re willing to try something new, you’ll find a selection of lending programmes, including a couple of the aforementioned unique ones.
Fierce Founders Bootcamp Programme for Female Entrepreneurs
With this Bootcamp for female entrepreneurs, you can put yourself and your potential to the test, and you may win $100,000 for your startup.
This business and personal development programme from the Firm Development Bank of Canada, Deloitte, Google, the City of Kitchener, the Government of Ontario, and the Government of Canada can help you begin or grow your business.
If you’re a strong, confident entrepreneur who owns or controls a majority stake in a tech company, apply to our Bootcamp for a chance to win $100,000 as well as hands-on coaching and exclusive connections.
Applications are always accepted, and the next dates will be published soon, so apply now before everyone else. If you’re ready to take your startup to the next level, all you have to do is apply online. You might even be eligible for a portion of your travel and lodging expenses to be reimbursed.
Description: Fierce Founders Bootcamp is a programme that helps female and non-binary entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses quickly. The Bootcamp is a six-week programme that guides innovators like you through the process of validating ideas and developing an MVP.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following requirements:
at least one woman-identified and/or non-binary founder;
be coachable and open to feedback
Attend all required sessions and turn in all assignments.
There will be a maximum of ten founders chosen to participate. Communitech will snap images of Bootcamp attendees for promotional purposes.
Export Development Canada Champions for Canadian Women in Trade
Extend your company’s earning potential by exporting. Did you know that since 2011, Canadian export revenue has increased by 125 percent? Even better, what if I told you that when it comes to just women-owned and led businesses exporting, that number climbs to 250 percent? That’s a compelling justification for exporting your goods.
This program is aimed to assist you in achieving your goals by providing equity financing via direct investment and Canadian venture capital funds. They have $100,000 available to assist women in exporting, so if your firm has a revenue of more than $1 million and you’re interested in exporting, apply today. There’s no limit to what you can achieve!
They accept applications at any time, so apply now by filling out their web form. From there, everything will fall into place.
Description: Through direct investment and investment in Canadian venture capital funds, the Women in Trade Investments Program provides funding for Canadian women entrepreneurs in the form of equity money. This assistance is intended to aid in the expansion of businesses through export.
Eligibility: The applicant must meet the following criteria: Women-led and owned firms with a revenue of more than $1 million and fast export growth.
MaRS Discovery District StandUp Ventures
Do you need a financial backer? Is there at least one woman in a C-level role at your company who gets an equal share of profits?
Then the StandUp Ventures funding programme, which is supported by the BDC and the EDC, is right for you. They’ve learned that women-led businesses are more likely to flourish and generate higher average returns, so they’re continuously on the lookout for new businesses to invest in.
While they prefer to invest in corporate software, digital health, and cleantech seed-stage startups situated in Canada, they do invest in a variety of fields and sectors, so don’t be shy about applying.
And you can apply whenever you want by simply contacting them. Send an email or give us a call at 647-255-1080 to get started. They can also answer any queries you might have or provide you with additional information before you apply.
Description: StandUp is a Toronto-based venture capital firm that invests in firms with at least one female C-level executive and an equitable share of ownership. Despite being industry agnostic, StandUp prefers to invest in breakthrough B2B software, biotech, and health-tech businesses.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- must be high-growth, women-led businesses located throughout Canada (with at least one woman in a C-level leadership position and a fair share of ownership);
- Typically invest in seed-stage firms (i.e., after friends and family funding but before the applicant’s Series A round);
- It might be in any industry. Despite being industry agnostic, StandUp prefers to invest in breakthrough B2B software, biotech, and health-tech businesses.
They advise applicants to reach out once they’ve developed an investor pitch and have a working MVP.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Women in Technology Venture Fund
If you’re a woman who owns or runs a tech company in Canada, do everything you can to take advantage of this financial opportunity.
They are one of the world’s largest venture capital funds, with $200,00 million to invest in your company. They can invest in your business in three ways:
- with your company directly,
- indirectly, with at least one woman-led emerging venture fund, and
- as a network with a variety of partners.
Not only do they provide funding, but they also provide mentorship, networking, and learning opportunities.
Create an account on their web platform to contact them and apply at any moment. The link to the platform is given below.
Description: The BDC Capital Women in Technology (WIT) Venture Fund is one of the world’s largest venture capital funds committed to investing in and supporting women-led technology firms today and in the future.
Eligibility: BDC makes investments in:
- technological firms run by women;
- top-performing teams with the goal of transforming today’s global markets while also cultivating a network to support and develop exceptional female tech professionals;
- a company that can be backed by a venture capitalist at an early stage.
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Women Entrepreneur Program
Farm Credit Canada is committed to assisting female agricultural, agri-food, and agri-business entrepreneurs. They’ve put aside $500 million specifically to assist you with loan programmes, seminars, learning events, and other services.
Consider making use of their loan programmes, even if you can—and should—take advantage of their other benefits, such as learning opportunities. You’ll get exclusive rates and repayment options that you won’t find anywhere else, as well as a $1,000 one-time processing fee waiver.
If you’re interested in this programme, call 1-888-332-3301 to speak with an FCC representative. Alternatively, you might visit one of their local offices and speak with them in person.
However, before you do so, make sure you have the following supporting documents on hand to ensure a seamless process:
- a statement of net worth
- For off-farm income, three years of tax returns or accountant-prepared financial statements are required, as well as current pay stubs or written employer proof (if applicable)
- Photo identification issued by the government (driver’s licence, passport)
- Agreements between shareholders (if any)
- a marketing and business plan
- a budget for financial flow
If you simply want to learn more, write them an email or call them at the aforementioned phone number.
Description: FCC offers loans to women in agriculture, agribusiness, and agri-food who want to start or expand their businesses. The programme offers a $1,000 one-time loan processing fee waiver to invest in skill development that best meets your business needs over the course of the program’s duration.
Eligibility: A woman who works in agriculture, agribusiness, or food must apply.
SheEO Interest-free Loans for Women
SheEO is a global network of female mentors, activists, investors, and entrepreneurs whose firms have a positive social impact and contribute to a better society. Women of diverse skills, backgrounds, and ages make up the organization’s 500 members.
They’ve banded together to develop a one-of-a-kind investment structure that has resulted in a $500,000 fund that they utilize to lend to the top five candidates, which they refer to as Ventures. These winning Ventures then repay the loan over the course of five years, and the funds are subsequently given to additional Ventures in a never-ending cycle.
Description: SheEO is a crowd-funded and crowd-supported ecosystem that offers interest-free loans to women-identifying and gender non-conforming companies pursuing sustainability goals. The funds are reinvested in new ventures as the loans are repaid, creating a perpetual fund in each country.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- be majority-owned (51%) and majority-led by a woman-identified person;
- In the last 12 months, I have produced between $50K and $2M in recurring revenue from clients in Canada;
- be a legally recognized entity in the region for which they are applying;
- be for-profit, non-profit, or charitable organizations that generate money and can repay a loan over a five-year period
SheEO Ventures is majority-owned and run by women, and it represents a new way of thinking, a new paradigm, or a new solution for a better society.
PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
The PARO Centre (Latin for “I am ready”) is business support and networking group for women outside of the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario.
The Centre provides help to women throughout the start-up and growth stages of their businesses, as well as a network for women in Ontario.
Description: Peer lending circles are small groups of like-minded women that gather on a monthly basis to share their experiences, give each other advice, and extend their personal and professional networks.
Circles are small groups of four to seven women over the age of 18 who each run their own business, want to start their own business, or believe in women supporting women. One of the most important aspects of a Peer Circle is that members have access to lending help ranging from $500.00 to $5,000.00.
Being a member of the PARO Circle has many advantages, including but not limited to:
- business knowledge; access to and sharing of business knowledge
- guidance, support, and encouragement from peers;
- peer-to-peer loans ranging from $1000 to $5000;
- matching grants of $500 and $1000 (if criteria are met);
- access to a wide range of viewpoints and experiences;
- PARO events and equipment rentals are offered at a discounted rate.
Eligibility: The applicant must meet the following requirements:
- be women-owned and operated small enterprises;
- be located in the province of Ontario
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