WES Ecosystem Fund

The WES Ecosystem Fund, in conjunction with the Regional Development Agencies, is investing $85 million over five years in projects to strengthen organizations' ability to support women entrepreneurs and close gaps in service.

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and women's economic empowerment and to supporting women entrepreneurs through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (the Strategy).

As part of the Strategy, the Government is ensuring women across Canada have access to the business supports they need to start or grow a business.
To date, the WES Ecosystem Fund has invested $100 million over five years to strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service for women entrepreneurs.

• As part of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, announced in Budget 2018, the Government is making sure women across Canada have access to the business supports they need to start or grow a business.

Under this new Ecosystem Fund call for proposals, $25 million is allocated to support new projects that are focused on responding to systemic barriers and gaps for diverse, intersectional and/or under-served women.

This funding will provide an opportunity to further foster connections and strengthen the network of supports within the entrepreneurship ecosystem for diverse women, and ensure supports, including mentorship and networking resources, are available and respond to the needs of diverse women entrepreneurs.

Project scope and areas of focus

Through this call, funding consideration will be given to projects that:

• are national in scope, or serve a minimum of 5 provinces and territories (multi-regional)
• priority will be given to projects that deliver services in all provinces and territories
• have a maximum budget of $4,000,000
• have a minimum budget of $400,000

Eligible focus areas include one or more of the following:

• scale-up
• supplier diversity
• recovery planning/adaption
• start-ups
• other areas that will support/contribute to strengthening the network of women entrepreneurship organizations in Canada or the Ecosystem Fund objectives

Projects must include mentorship and networking as one component of project activities.

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