The federal government is renewing $30 million in funding for a loan program that helps women entrepreneurs start and expand businesses, building on an initiative that has provided more than $50 million in financing since its launch in 2022.
The funding for the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund was announced recently by Rechie Valdez, minister of women and gender equality and secretary of state for small business and tourism, in Winnipeg. The program provides microloans of up to $50,000 through four not-for-profit organizations, along with services intended to help recipients navigate business challenges and build sustainable operations.
Loan program targets financing barriers
The renewed funding is part of the federal government's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which aims to improve women's access to financing, training and business networks. The strategy is intended to support business creation and growth while addressing barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, including those working in under-represented sectors.
The four organizations delivering loans and related services are Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, Nventure and Evol. The organizations provide financing as well as additional support to help women entrepreneurs develop and expand their businesses.
Since the loan fund began operating in 2022, it has delivered nearly 1,600 loans worth more than $50 million, according to the federal government. The latest funding renewal is intended to continue providing access to capital for women seeking to establish or grow their businesses.
"Women entrepreneurs are essential to building the strongest economy in the G7. When women have the financing, networks and support they need to grow their businesses, they create jobs, strengthen communities and help grow Canada's economy. Through the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, we are helping more women turn their ideas into successful businesses and ensuring they have the opportunity to contribute fully to Canada's economic strength as we build a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy,” said Valdez.
Broader entrepreneurship strategy
The loan fund operates within the broader Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which the government launched in 2018. Since its introduction, the strategy has supported more than 600,000 women entrepreneurs across Canada, according to the government.
The strategy includes more than $7 billion in investments aimed at strengthening women's entrepreneurship nationwide. In June 2026, the federal government announced a further $173.7 million over five years for the strategy as part of its efforts to address barriers facing women entrepreneurs.
The latest loan fund renewal adds to those broader commitments by providing financing through organizations that work directly with entrepreneurs. The loans are intended to help women access capital to establish businesses or finance expansion, while the accompanying services offer support in navigating challenges associated with running a business.
The government is also pursuing other measures aimed at supporting small businesses, including tariff relief, funding for artificial intelligence adoption, red tape reduction and assistance for companies seeking to export to new markets.
Its broader efforts to address systemic barriers for diverse entrepreneurs include the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, as well as support for organizations such as Futurpreneur.
The renewed funding for the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is part of the government's wider approach to improving access to capital and business support for entrepreneurs across Canada, with a focus on helping women establish and grow sustainable businesses.