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

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.

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.