Funding for business women
Funding access helps your Canadian women-owned or women-led business capitalize on opportunities, diversify markets and grow globally.
Federal funding
TCS funding for market expansion
CanExport
Financial support to help your Canadian business develop and access exciting new export opportunities. Dedicated support is provided to businesses owned or led by underrepresented groups in trade (including women and Indigenous) when applying for funding.
As of 2022, CanExport funding may be used to cover annual supplier diversity certification costs for women-owned, Indigenous-owned, visible minority-owned and 2SLGBTQI+-owned companies when submitting a project within a market that recognizes certification (for example, the U.S.).
Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTA)
Development program to help Canadian companies with an existing technology, product or service to explore vast opportunities in foreign markets. Specific cohorts are organized for women-owned and led businesses.
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)
Support for Canadian companies to pursue international research and development (R&D) collaborations with foreign partners.
Funding for women entrepreneurs
Women in Trade – Export Development Canada (EDC)
Insurance solutions to protect your exports, working capital and financing options.
Woman entrepreneur – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Financing to fuel growth.
Women in Technology (WIT) Fund – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Venture capital for Canadian technology businesses.
Futurpreneur Canada
Financing, mentoring and support for aspiring Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18–39.
Expand your search for financing
Business grants and financing
Discover what the Government of Canada can do for your business through grants, loans, private and public sector financing.
Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada
Learn about the National association of professional business support organizations for women entrepreneurs.
Words of wisdom
"I knew China had great potential for us, so I reached out to the Trade Commissioner Service. They connected me with the CanExport program. With their help, we received funding to pursue our opportunities in China."
Regional funding for women
Eastern Canada
Atlantic Association of Community Business Development Corporations
Loans and funding opportunities for Atlantic Canada-based businesses.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. – The Export Growth Program
Financial contributions that help businesses visit or invite potential partners/clients from outside the province.
Prince Edward Island – Trade and Export Supports
Funding for international business trips and marketing.
Central Canada
Quebec
Export Québec (available in French only)
Contributions that help Quebec-based companies grow internationally.
Femmessor
Loans between $20,000 and $150,000 for women entrepreneur in Quebec.
Ontario
PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
Community loans to help women start or grow a business.
Western Canada
SME Export Support Fund Alberta
Contributions that fund export-related activities for Alberta-based businesses.
Women's Enterprise Centre British Columbia
Business loans for BC-based business women.
Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
Loans up to $150,000 for Manitoba businesses for start-up, expansion or the purchase of an existing business.
Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) – Market Access Program (MAP)
Contributions for Saskatchewan-based STEP members to fund export-related activities.
Connect with the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
Questions or need support
- Contact a Trade Commissioner for answers to your export questions
- Subscribe to CanadExport: The official magazine of the Trade Commissioner Service
Join the conversation
- Connect with the TCS on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter
- Follow the conversation on social media: #womenexporters
