Even in Canada, where feminism and the fight for equal rights have come a long way, women entrepreneurs continue to face unique challenges when starting their own businesses. It is evident once again that a lack of adequate information is available for women, especially related to small business financing options. Many female entrepreneurs continue facing several challenges with keeping their staff onboard, continuing operation processes, and meeting financial goals.
While many women-led business funding programs often focus on STEM support, women-owned organizations are much more prevalent in retail, accommodation, food services, and tourism.
Despite these new and ongoing challenges, women entrepreneurs remain one of the fastest growing business segments in Canada.
- Women-led businesses create new jobs four times faster than the national average.
- Women create companies at double the national average.
- The number of women with incorporated businesses has more than doubled in the past decade.
To continue this accelerated growth, women entrepreneurs must remain competitive. We’ve outlined three financial resources available across Canada that are developed specifically to assist women in starting, planning, and building a successful small business.
BMO for Women: Committed to Real Financial Progress
BMO has released statistics showcasing that despite the ongoing battle against changing the status quo of the business world, 57% of women still wish they were more confident in their financial decision making.
With over 3,000 members, the BMO Alliance for Women is a community of employees — of all genders — who champion the inclusion, connection, development, advancement, and support of women. BMO for Women provides educational resources, funding opportunities, shared networking, and guidelines for women in business all across the country.
RBC’s Women Entrepreneur Support for Small Business
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has specifically developed advice and services to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. Financing is available through the bank, as well as additional resources and expertise. Through their Small Business Financial Services Resource Centre, women entrepreneurs can access a wide variety of information and assistance in starting and expanding a business, as well as succession planning for their retirement. They also provide one-on-one strategic advising for women entrepreneurs to ensure that their businesses are successful.
RBC has also developed the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, allowing female entrepreneurs to celebrate one another and network side by side. By celebrating women entrepreneurs, RBC hopes to provide significant profile of the importance of female business-owners to the Canadian economy.
The Scotiabank Women Initiative: Supporting Women-Led Businesses
The Scotiabank Women Initiative is a comprehensive program helping women take their businesses to the next level, through access to capital funding, mentorship, and education.
When signed up for the program, members will benefit from small group mentoring sessions on pre-defined topics hosted by the experienced Advisory Board to discuss complex business issues and help women grow their businesses.
The initiative works individually with each unique women-led business to develop tailored solutions in accessing funding to preserve and increase cash flow.
The Forum Founder’s Circle by The Toronto-Dominion (TD) Bank
In association with TD Bank, The Forum Founder’s Circle hosts a five-month long program designed to support women entrepreneurs. By joining this program, members will access five 2-hour long sessions over the course of five months to:
- Access a deeply supportive community of peers and specialized experts who will advise and support you during and after the program;
- Find solutions to business challenges with entrepreneurs and experienced advisors who understand your needs;
- Build a growth plan that addresses key opportunities and challenges, and identify a strategy to achieve these goals;
- Be equipped with tangible tools to unlock your next phase of growth; and
- Learn about topics related to optimizing cash flow, planning personal and business wealth, tax planning, and team expansion.
The virtual kickoff for this program begins on January 31, 2024. Apply today to save your seat.
Government Funding Programs for Women-Led Businesses
There are also several current government funding programs that cater to supporting women-led businesses, such as the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) and the Skills Development Fund (SDF) by helping women grow their businesses with access to grants for hiring and training opportunities.
In order to remain vigilant, women entrepreneurs require ongoing access to up-to-date information and resources. Mentor Works provides information on current government funding programs including small business grants and loans. Sign up for the Weekly Funding Newsletter to stay informed or download a free government funding for start-ups checklist.