Finding the money to start or expand your business provides a challenge for anyone, so don’t overlook special government grant and loan programs designed specifically to support women entrepreneurs. Government funding is sometimes available at the federal, provincial, territorial, or local level, giving you the opportunity to apply for financing outside of a private bank loan or line of credit. Government-backed funding for women-owned businesses typically offers more favourable terms than what you find at a private bank, and since a mission statement backs the pool of available funds, you may find it easier to get approval for your small business loan.

Canadian Business Network

Start your search for government funding for women business owners by using the Canadian Business Network’s database of government grants, loans, loan guarantees, subsidies, and other types of business financing. Use the audience filter to search for funding targeted to women. Some sources of government funding are specific to a province or territory, so you can use the location filter to zoom in on opportunities available where you operate your business.

Canada-Wide Opportunities for Government Loans

Before you go to a private bank to start or expand your business, check out the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). BDC is a Crown corporation with the Government of Canada as its sole shareholder. This government bank has an ongoing commitment to Canada’s women entrepreneurs, so when you apply for startup funding, working capital, an expansion loan, or the money to buy a business, the bank takes you seriously. Being a woman is an asset during the application process, because you help further the bank’s mission.

BDC also specializes in venture capital funding for women. The bank’s $200 million Women in Technology Fund seeks to support Canada’s next generation of women-led tech firms. Eligibility requires that you’re a woman founder, CEO, CTO, or CFO of a Canadian company or maintain a key C-suite position.

If you’re an Aboriginal woman entrepreneur, the bank has an Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan that provides financing for startups and scale-ups. Whether you take advantage of a specific program designed for women-owned businesses or the bank’s general mission-based funding, you can benefit from flexible terms, lower rates, easier approvals, and the available support to make your business a success.

Province and Territory Funding

After assessing the government funding landscape at the federal level, it’s time to narrow down your search for funding to the province or territory level. The province or territory where you live or plan to run your business may offer financing opportunities to women entrepreneurs. This type of funding typically comes with certain qualifications, including having a minimum ownership percentage in the business and the length of time you or the business have been located in the area.

For example, the WeBC offers women entrepreneurs in British Columbia loans of up to $150,000 from funding provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada, but applicants must have a business registered and located in BC that is at least 51% owned or controlled by a woman.

Likewise, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs offers the same type of loans backed by government funding for women who reside in the province of Alberta and own at least 51% of a business registered and located in the province.

Western Economic Diversification Canada also funds the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. and Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.

Women-Involved Funding

Most government funding targeted to women entrepreneurs requires women to own a majority of the business, typically at least 51%. Some funding merely seeks to encourage women as owners and doesn’t require you to keep a majority of the equity under your control.

Bring resources to your ownership team while holding as little as 25% of the equity with a loan program from Evol. This organization offers women business owners conventional loans from $20,000 up to $450,000.

Some business owners spend their personal savings, tap credit cards, borrow from friends and family, and beg a bank for a loan to start or expand a business. If you’re a woman entrepreneur with a business vision, explore government sources of financing as a first step instead of the last step.

The Canadian government from the federal to local level identifies women entrepreneurs like you as an underserved constituency that could help expand the country’s economy with a little support and access to resources.

Once your small business is up and running, make the most of your resources by tracking expenses, accounts receivable, and inventory with an accounting program. The QuickBooks Self-Employed app helps you as a freelancer, contractor, or sole proprietor track and manage your business on the go. Download the app today!