Small Business Grants for Women: 10 Canadian Funding Opportunities You Need to Know
Updated August 10, 2026
Finding funding can be one of the hardest parts of starting or growing a business. For many women founders, traditional financing does not reflect the realities of building a company with limited collateral, uneven access to networks, or a business model that is still gaining traction.
The good news is that Canadian entrepreneurs have more options than a standard bank loan.
This guide brings together 10 grants, loans, and funding pathways for women entrepreneurs in Canada. Some are women-specific. Others are open to all eligible businesses but can be especially useful for women-owned companies.
Program details, deadlines, and eligibility rules can change. Always review the current requirements on the official program website before applying.
A Growing Funding Landscape
Women-owned businesses represent 17.8% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses, according to the Government of Canada.
The federal Women Entrepreneurship Strategy has committed nearly $7 billion to improve women’s access to financing, networks, and expertise.
Since 2018, WES programs have provided:
- 35,200+ loans or non-repayable grants
- 400,000+ service interactions
- 4,400+ networking and learning events
These numbers point to a broader shift: funding is becoming more connected to mentorship, education, community, and long-term business support.
1. Founders Fund Canada Pitch Fund
Best for: Diverse women founders looking for barrier-free funding and community support.
Founders Fund Canada was created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Our community supports diverse women founders through funding, mentorship, education, and networking.
Eligible members receive exclusive access to the funding application process, with opportunities for up to $50,000 in funding to grow their business. The funding is described as having no payback and no equity requirement.
The Pitch Fund is designed for founders who may not fit traditional venture capital criteria but have a clear business, a strong vision, and a plan for meaningful growth.
Explore the Founders Fund funding program and learn more about who we are.
2. Mastercard Small Business Fund
Best for: Canadian women small business owners seeking a grant paired with mentorship.
The Mastercard Small Business Fund offered 10 grants of $10,000 CAD in its 2026 Canadian round. Recipients also received tailored mentorship, digital growth support, and a Priceless Experience in Toronto.
The 2026 application deadline was March 24, 2026, so this intake has now closed. Future rounds may have different requirements and timelines.
Keep an eye on the official Mastercard announcement for updates.
3. BMO Celebrating Women Grant
Best for: Established women and non-binary entrepreneurs with measurable community impact.
The BMO Celebrating Women Grant awarded 10 grants of $10,000 CAD in its 2026 program. The initiative was developed with Deloitte and focused on businesses that demonstrate impact and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2026 criteria included:
- At least 51% ownership and control by women or non-binary entrepreneurs
- A for-profit business operating in Canada
- At least two years in operation
- Annual revenue of at least $50,000
- A clear community or sustainability impact story
The 2026 application window ran from April 2 to April 23, 2026. It is now closed, but the BMO for Women grant page is the best place to watch for future rounds.
4. Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
Best for: Start-ups, sole proprietors, and underrepresented founders who need repayable financing.
The federal Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund provides loans of up to $50,000 through selected delivery organizations.
This is a loan, not a grant. However, it was created specifically to address the smaller financing gap that many women entrepreneurs face when traditional lenders are not a fit.
Current delivery partners include:
- Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada
- National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association
- Nventure
- Evol
The official Government of Canada page includes regional information for provinces and territories across Canada.
5. CanExport SMEs
Best for: Canadian businesses preparing to enter international markets.
CanExport SMEs is a federal program that provides non-repayable contributions to eligible Canadian small and medium-sized businesses developing export markets.
Funding may support activities such as:
- International market research
- Trade show participation
- Export marketing
- Business matchmaking
- Market development activities
CanExport is not women-exclusive. Women-owned businesses can apply if they meet the program’s current eligibility requirements.
Review the latest details through the CanExport funding page. The application process, eligible expenses, contribution limits, and intake dates can change.
6. Starter Company Plus
Best for: Ontario entrepreneurs starting, expanding, or buying a small business.
Ontario’s Starter Company Plus program combines:
- One-on-one guidance
- Business workshops
- Mentorship
- Networking opportunities
- A grant of up to $5,000
Applicants must generally be at least 18, live in Ontario, and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. To qualify for the grant, applicants must contribute at least 25% of the grant amount in cash or in kind.
Applications are submitted through a local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
This can be a practical option for founders who want structured learning and support alongside a smaller amount of start-up or growth capital.
7. Amber Grant for Women
Best for: Women entrepreneurs at the idea, start-up, or early-revenue stage.
The Amber Grant is operated by WomensNet and is open to eligible women-owned businesses in Canada and the United States.
According to the program’s current information, WomensNet awards monthly grants of $10,000 USD. Monthly winners may also become eligible for year-end grants.
The application focuses on your business story, your plans, and the difference funding could make. The program is not limited to one industry.
Review the current eligibility requirements and deadlines on the official Amber Grant page for women in Canada.
8. Cartier Women’s Initiative
Best for: Women-led businesses with a strong social or environmental impact mission.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is a global program open to women-run and women-owned businesses from any country and sector.
The initiative supports impact entrepreneurs through:
- Awards and financial support
- Education
- Leadership development
- Business growth programming
- Peer and industry networks
- Global visibility
The program is highly competitive, but it can be a meaningful opportunity for founders who can clearly demonstrate impact, sustainability, and growth potential.
Learn more about the Cartier Women’s Initiative, including current awards, fellowship details, and application timelines.
9. BDC Women Entrepreneur Financing
Best for: Women founders seeking business financing and growth support through a national development bank.
The Business Development Bank of Canada offers financing and advisory resources for women entrepreneurs.
This is not a grant program. It is a financing pathway that may be useful for businesses that are ready to invest in equipment, working capital, expansion, or other growth needs.
BDC’s women entrepreneur resources can help founders understand available financing and prepare for conversations about business growth.
Explore BDC’s Women Entrepreneur Financing.
10. She’s Next, Empowered by Visa
Best for: Women-owned small businesses that want to monitor global grant and coaching opportunities.
She’s Next, Empowered by Visa is a global initiative supporting women-owned small businesses through grants, mentorship, visibility, and business education.
Availability varies by country and intake. As of August 2026, a Canada-specific 2026 intake has not been publicly confirmed through the official sources reviewed for this guide.
That makes this a watchlist opportunity, not an open application recommendation.
Check the official Visa She’s Next page and the Visa and IFundWomen program page for future announcements. Only apply when Canada is explicitly listed as an eligible location.
How to Choose the Right Funding Opportunity
The strongest funding opportunity is not always the one with the largest dollar amount. It is the one that fits your stage, goals, and capacity.
Before applying, clarify:
Your business stage
Are you validating an idea, launching, building revenue, or expanding into new markets?
The type of support you need
You may need a grant for equipment, a loan for working capital, or mentorship to strengthen your business plan.
Your timeline
Some programs accept applications year-round. Others open for only a few weeks each year.
Your proof points
Prepare simple, clear information about:
- Your business model
- Your customers
- Your revenue or traction
- Your growth plan
- Your community impact
- How you would use the funding
Your documentation
Many applications may require ownership information, a business registration number, financial records, a budget, or a business plan.
Funding Is One Part of the Journey
Capital can help create momentum. Support systems help sustain it.
At Founders Fund Canada, we believe women founders deserve access to funding, mentorship, education, and community without unnecessary barriers. Our resources and programs are designed to support founders through more than one application cycle or business milestone.
Keep Building Together
Grant and funding programs can open doors, but you do not have to navigate them alone.
Join a community where founders, mentors, and funders share knowledge, champion progress, and create more accessible pathways into entrepreneurship.
Connect with Founders Fund Canada or email hello@foundersfund.ca to learn more.
Funding amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines may change. Confirm all details with the official program provider before submitting an application.