Support Resources for Entrepreneurs

There are a growing number of organizations interested in supporting women’s entrepreneurship and some focus on women in food. Also note that many of these organizations have newsletters available for sign-up.

Women in Food https://www.canadianwomeninfood.ca/

Canadian Women in Food (CWIF) was founded in 2014, as a national association to help amplify the voices of female food entrepreneurs and to promote a more inclusive space for all women in food.

We help to promote women-owned businesses; to cultivate the positive energy that comes from women supporting women; and to stir up the spirit of female food entrepreneurs by creating opportunities for economic growth.

We are also grateful that CWIF has been nourished by the passion, inspiration, and expertise of many within the food industry and reflects their aspirations to ensure a sustainable future for female food entrepreneurs in Canada.

Start-up Canada https://www.startupcan.ca

Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 3.5 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 250,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. Please note their special programs for women https://www.startupcan.ca/women

FCC Women Entrepreneur Program https: //www.fcc-fac.ca/en/financing/agriculture/women-entrepreneur-program

FCC is committed to empowering women in agriculture, agribusiness, and food. Through our research and discussions with women in agriculture, we discovered three key needs: increased access to capital to start or grow their business, access to business and competency skill development for themselves and their business, and access to tools, resources, and people to learn from and be inspired. Through the Women Entrepreneur Program, FCC has dedicated $500 million over the next three years in lending, enhancing events and creating resources specifically for women entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses.

Through access to financing, value-added offerings to expand their skill set and connections to people and organizations across the industry, we’re helping ensure a diverse, open and forward-thinking agriculture industry for everyone.

Business Development Bank BDC https://www.bdc.ca/en/i-am/woman-entrepreneur/about-us

https://www.bdc.ca/en/i-am/woman-entrepreneur

Unlock your potential! Because your business is unique, we have developed a wide selection of free resources that will meet your needs. We’re here to help you achieve your full potential as a women entrepreneur.

Connect. Access events, networking opportunities and partners that can benefit your business.

Learn. Get articles, tools and exclusive content on growing and maintaining your business.

Be inspired. Read about women who overcame challenges to build successful businesses.

Futurpreneur Canada https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/

has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. We are the only national, non-proﬁt organization that provides ﬁnancing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 3,000 volunteer mentors.

Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) See It. Be It. Women Entrepreneurs Beyond the Stereotypes.

The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) is a national network and accessible digital platform for sharing research, resources, and leading strategies.

ELLA Accelerator https://www.yorku.ca/ella/

Created by York University, ELLA is Ontario’s first accelerator focused on supporting women-led product and service-based businesses. ELLA offers a variety of courses depending on what stage of the business life cycle you are in, ranging from 2 weeks long to 5 months long. ELLA is only eligible for businesses located in southern Ontario.

Canadian Small Business Women Accelerator Program https://canadiansmallbusinesswomen.ca/accelerator-program

This all rounded Startup Accelerator is a 6 week part- time virtual training and coaching program designed specifically for Canadian women who are ready to step into their purpose and fulfill their goals of becoming entrepreneurs. The program duration and timing of the classes were made with YOU in mind. It is ideal for those who are students or who are still entrenched in the corporate world. Upon completion of this program, you will have:

Acquired all of your necessary business vocabulary to easily navigate conversations with industry professionals.
A very clear idea on what your next steps should be to start your entrepreneurial journey or improve the state of your business.
Accumulated a very sound business acumen and best practices

Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada https://weoc.ca/

Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada supports a diverse membership of organizations that directly impact the growth and success of women entrepreneurs. Their goal is to ensure that their members have the tools needed to support their clients by delivering networking opportunities with peers across the country, access to an innovative library of tools and resources, and participation in impactful courses, conversations and events.

Through their national network of Loan Fund Partners, WEOC also delivers the WEOC National Loan Program, supporting women entrepreneurs as they start, scale, grow and operate their businesses.