Government programs
Federal support and loans for women entrepreneurs
✓ Checking what you qualify for does not affect your credit score.
Short answer: The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is a federal initiative to help women-owned and women-led businesses start and grow. It includes the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, delivered through partner organizations with their own application processes, plus mentorship and training. It often reaches businesses banks overlook, such as home-based or service firms.
Key facts
Related: Government Business Programs in Canada: 19 Guides · Funding the Matching Share of a Government Grant · Bridging a Government Grant or Refund Payment · Business Funding Requirements in Canada · Working Capital Funding in Canada
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is a federal initiative to help women-owned and women-led businesses start and grow. It includes the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, delivered through partner organizations, along with ecosystem support such as mentorship and training.
Loans are provided by participating organizations, each with its own application process.
For an owner, the practical value is often access to a lender that understands businesses banks may overlook, such as home-based, part-time-to-full-time or service businesses without hard assets. Pair the application with a realistic cash-flow forecast; delivery organizations want to see how the loan will be repaid from operations.
Loan processes can take several weeks. If the business needs inventory or equipment for a season, plan the application well ahead.
Mentorship and training offered alongside the loan can be as valuable as the money.
Government programs are usually the lowest-cost money available to a Canadian business, and they are worth pursuing first when you qualify. They are also slower, have intake windows and often pay after you spend. Many owners use a short, revenue-based advance only to cover a timing gap, such as paying a share of a project before a contribution arrives, and repay it when the program pays out. Size any advance to the gap, not to the whole project, and confirm that the program's terms allow other financing.
Official program information: ised-isde.canada.ca. Program details change; check current eligibility, intake dates and terms with the program directly. Summary as of October 2026. Merchant Fund Express is not affiliated with this program and does not administer it.
Partner organizations across Canada.
No. Growing businesses can also apply, depending on the organization.
Often yes. Ask the delivering organization.
Educational information only. It is not legal, tax or accounting advice.
Same-day decision. Applying takes a few minutes and will not affect your credit score.
