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Starting a business, financing growth, investing in innovation or entering new markets: women entrepreneurs in Canada have access to a growing range of financing solutions. Loans, venture capital, crowdfunding, business support and export programs are among the options available. However, eligibility requirements and financing terms can vary significantly from one program to another.
For women entrepreneurs, some programs are specifically designed to facilitate access to capital and business support, while others give priority to businesses owned or led by women.
This article provides an overview of the main funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Canada in 2026, as well as organizations that can help entrepreneurs structure their projects and identify relevant resources.
Please note: Programs, funding amounts and eligibility requirements may change. The information presented in this article is based on the information available as of July 31, 2026. Entrepreneurs should verify the applicable conditions directly with the relevant organization before submitting an application.
Entrepreneurial financing is not limited to grants. Depending on the stage of the business and the nature of the project, several types of financing may be considered:
The right financing solution therefore depends not only on the amount required, but also on how the funds will be used, the maturity of the business, its industry and its growth potential.
In Quebec, Evol offers several financing solutions for businesses owned by women or individuals from underrepresented communities.
For startup projects, financing takes the form of a commercial loan starting at $20,000, with the maximum amount depending on the project and financial assessment. Evol’s overall financing offering can reach $450,000 in certain situations.
For businesses experiencing growth or undertaking an acquisition, transfer or succession project, Evol offers loans ranging from $20,000 to $300,000, with financing of up to $450,000 available under certain conditions.
An important eligibility criterion relates to inclusive ownership: at least 25% of the shares and voting rights must be held by a woman or an individual from an underrepresented community who also holds a strategic role within the business.
In addition to financing, Evol provides support throughout the loan period and access to expertise in areas such as finance, legal affairs, marketing, human resources, innovation and governance.
The DELIA National Loan Fund for Women Entrepreneurs, offered by Nventure, generally provides loans of approximately $15,000, up to $50,000.
The program is designed for Canadian for-profit businesses that are more than 50% women-owned and managed by one or more women.
Financing can be used for business startup, stabilization or expansion. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and some beneficiaries may also have access to mentoring, training and business support.
The Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) offers a national loan program of up to $50,000, with a maximum term of five years.
Applicants must generally be at least 19 years old and Canadian citizens or permanent residents, while the business must be more than 50% women-owned. Annual gross revenue must not exceed $2 million.
Funding can be used for working capital, equipment, operating expenses, marketing and digital tools. Support is also available to help entrepreneurs prepare business plans and cash-flow forecasts.
Indigenous women who want to start or grow a business may have access to microloans of up to $50,000 through the program offered by NACCA and participating Indigenous Financial Institutions.
The terms—including interest rates, repayment periods and equity requirements—are determined by the local Indigenous Financial Institution.
The program also provides access to business advisory services, training and ongoing support, including assistance with business plans and the development of financial and business skills.
Quebec’s Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADC) and Centres d’aide aux entreprises (CAE) offer local investment funds that can support a range of projects, including startups, acquisitions, expansions and business transfers.
Loan amounts, interest rates, repayment periods and grace periods vary depending on the organization and region. The network primarily serves communities located outside major urban centres.
This option can be particularly valuable for entrepreneurs looking not only for financing, but also for local, personalized business support.
The Flexi-Loan for Women pilot program, designed for women entrepreneurs running a business alongside employment, studies or other responsibilities, ended on March 31, 2026. A reopening was expected in the following months, but entrepreneurs should verify directly with the network whether a new phase is currently available.
For businesses looking to expand internationally, financing can take a different form.
The CanExport SMEs program, administered by the Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada, is designed to help Canadian SMEs develop new international markets.
The program provides a contribution of $10,000 to $50,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs.
Eligible activities can include business travel, participation in trade events, adapting marketing activities, market research, certain professional services, supplier diversity certification and intellectual property protection.
Businesses owned or led by traditionally underrepresented groups in international trade—including women—are given priority under the program.
Important: According to the reference document, the 2026–2027 application period ran from February 4 to August 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Businesses considering an application should therefore verify the program’s current status.
Export Development Canada (EDC) also offers solutions for Canadian businesses owned or led by women, from their early stages through international expansion.
These solutions can include credit insurance, guarantees that facilitate access to financing, as well as trade information and specialized advice.
The objective is to help reduce the risks associated with international sales and facilitate access to the financing required to develop international markets.
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan of up to $350,000.
The program is available to eligible businesses established in Canada with annual revenue below $3 million and that are at least 51% owned and led by women, Indigenous people or Black entrepreneurs.
Financing can support growth projects, inventory, new products, marketing, equipment purchases and technology adoption. Principal payment deferrals of up to 24 months may also be available, subject to applicable conditions.
For technology companies led by women, BDC Capital’s Excelles for Women platform offers several forms of investment.
The Excelles Fund has a $300 million investment envelope targeting companies at the seed, Series A and Series B stages. The program focuses on Canadian technology companies led by women that demonstrate strong growth potential and a scalable business model.
The Excelles Lab complements this offering with a $100 million envelope designed in particular for women-led businesses at earlier stages of development.
The Excelles Repreneurship Fund, with a $50 million envelope, focuses on women looking to search for, acquire and grow an established Canadian business. In addition to capital, the program provides access to mentoring, training, advice and a national network.
Age can also determine eligibility for certain programs.
Futurpreneur Canada offers a startup program for individuals aged 18 to 39, providing a flexible loan of up to $75,000 and up to two years of one-on-one mentoring.
Specific programs are also available for Indigenous and Black entrepreneurs, as well as Flexipreneur financing for individuals who want to develop a side business while maintaining full-time employment. This program provides financing of up to $25,000 and up to two years of mentoring.
Not every business requires traditional debt financing.
For high-growth Canadian exporters, EDC’s Inclusive Trade Investment Program provides equity investment and a $200 million envelope dedicated to inclusive trade. The program targets Canadian businesses owned or led by women and entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups.
Crowdfunding can also complement a broader financing strategy. La Ruche offers, depending on the program and region, additional funding in the form of loans, awards or grants for eligible projects that run a crowdfunding campaign through its platform.
Identifying a funding program is only the first step. The financing must also be appropriate for the project, and the application needs to be well prepared.
Several organizations therefore provide services that do not directly constitute financing but can facilitate access to funding, expertise and markets.
The Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec (RFAQ) offers networking, training, business development and access to major buyers.
HEC Montréal’s Base entrepreneuriale also helps entrepreneurs navigate the ecosystem by presenting different options for loans, microfinance, venture capital and business networks.
Other initiatives, such as Femmes en Tech, Entreprendre au féminin from Futurpreneur and the Lise Watier Foundation’s entrepreneurship program, focus more specifically on skills development, mentoring, networking and business planning.
With so many programs available, the main challenge is not necessarily finding a source of financing, but determining which option is actually right for your business.
Before starting the application process, it is useful to clarify:
In many cases, a blended financing strategy may be more appropriate than relying on a single source of funding. For example, a loan may be combined with government funding, crowdfunding or equity investment.
At ABGi Canada, we help businesses identify and optimize the public funding and tax incentives available to support their growth, innovation, investment and expansion projects.
Our role is to help businesses assess which measures may be relevant to their situation, structure their projects and maximize the funding opportunities available to them.
Government programs and eligibility criteria can change regularly depending on the type of project, industry, location and business profile. Conducting an assessment early in the process can therefore help businesses develop a more effective financing strategy and avoid overlooking relevant opportunities.
Are you planning a growth, innovation, investment or international expansion project? Contact ABGi Canada to discuss the funding and tax incentive opportunities available to your business.
