Minister Valdez launches call for proposals for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- Building the strongest economy in the G7 requires the full and equal participation of women. Through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), the federal government is helping more women entrepreneurs access the financing, training and networks they need to succeed as we build a stronger, more competitive Canada.

Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced a new call for proposals for the WES Ecosystem Fund.

Through this call for proposals, the federal government will support projects that provide women entrepreneurs across Canada with the business supports they need to start, grow and scale their businesses. Up to $80 million in non-repayable contribution funding will be made available to successful applicants and disbursed over four years, starting in 2027–2028.

Eligible organizations may submit proposals in English or French until November 9, 2026, at 11:59 pm (PT).

To continue its work to remove barriers facing women entrepreneurs and to support women entrepreneurs, including in under-represented sectors, the Government of Canada announced in June 2026 that it was renewing funding for WES with a further $173.7 million over five years.

Since its launch in 2018, WES has supported more than 600,000 women entrepreneurs across Canada. Women entrepreneurs are also benefiting from the federal government's broader efforts to strengthen small businesses, including tariff relief measures, funding for AI adoption, red tape reduction, and support for exporting to new markets.

Quote

"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 Strategy, 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."
– The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Quick facts

• The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), the first of its kind in Canada, includes more than $7 billion in investments to strengthen women entrepreneurship across Canada.
• In June 2026, the Government of Canada announced that it was renewing funding for WES with a further $173.7 million over five years.
• The renewed funding includes:
  • $100 million for the WES Ecosystem Fund, which is helping women entrepreneurs access networks, training and mentorship to start up, scale up and access new markets
  • $59 million for the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, which funds partner organizations to deliver loans of up to $50,000 to women business owners and entrepreneurs
  • $7 million for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, which serves as a one-stop source of knowledge, data and best practices for women entrepreneurs
  • nearly $8 million to support WES program operating costs
• The government is also investing in removing systemic barriers faced by diverse entrepreneurs through programs like the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program and organizations like Futurpreneur.

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Erin Quevillon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]