Grants you can apply for · Federal program · Non-repayable contribution
WES Ecosystem Fund
Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Taking applications?
Closes 9 Nov 2026
The official page says: “The call for proposals for the 2027 Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund is now open.”
Read from the official page on October 14, 2026. Confirm the deadline on the official page before you apply.
- Amount
- $250K to $6M
- Cost share
- Not stated on the page
- Who can apply
- Non-profits and charities
- Where
- Anywhere in Canada
What it is
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund invests in not-for-profit organizations to strengthen support networks and close service gaps for women entrepreneurs across Canada so they can start and grow successful businesses.
Description from ISED programs and initiatives, the funder’s own list of programs. The Government of Canada’s Business Benefits Finder (list of July 17, 2025) doesn’t include it.
What applicants actually got
From the federal records of every agreement signed under this program. Advertised: $250k to $6m.
- Agreements, last 12 months
- 0
- starting Oct 2025 or later
- Typical award
- —
- the middle half, since Oct 2023
- Median award
- —
- 2 agreements since Oct 2023
- All agreements
- 26
- $103M
Federal grants and contributions, agreements starting Jan 2006 to Oct 2026, each counted once at its latest amended value. Source: Treasury Board proactive disclosure, published October 11, 2026. Filed as “Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund” (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 26).
Who got it
Organizations with the most funding under this program, all years.
Who got it in your province
Open a province to see the organizations there with the most funding under this program, all years.
Ontario11 agreements · $39.5M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Women's Foundation | 1 | $5.8M |
| National Angel Capital Organization | 1 | $5.5M |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | 1 | $4.6M |
| Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce | 1 | $4.6M |
| PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise | 1 | $4.6M |
| York University | 1 | $4.5M |
| The Hamilton Young Women's Christian Association | 1 | $3.4M |
| Rise Asset Development | 1 | $2.3M |
| National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association | 1 | $1.8M |
| Women Business Enterprises Canada Council | 1 | $1.6M |
| Coralus | 1 | $995K |
British Columbia4 agreements · $20.1M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Women's Enterprises Society of BC | 1 | $5.6M |
| Forum for Women Entrepreneurs in British Columbia | 1 | $5.1M |
| Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada | 1 | $4.9M |
| United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society | 1 | $4.4M |
Quebec4 agreements · $18.6M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec Business Women's Network | 1 | $8M |
| École des entrepreneurs du Québec | 1 | $4.7M |
| Fédération des agricultrices du Québec | 1 | $3.4M |
| Native Women's Association of Canada | 1 | $2.5M |
Nova Scotia3 agreements · $12.2M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development | 1 | $5.9M |
| Mount Saint Vincent University | 1 | $4M |
| Organization For Nova Scotia Innovation Driven Enterprise | 1 | $2.4M |
New Brunswick1 agreements · $4.7M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Conseil Économique Du N.-B. Inc | 1 | $4.7M |
Alberta1 agreements · $3.5M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Association | 1 | $3.5M |
Saskatchewan1 agreements · $2.5M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. | 1 | $2.5M |
Manitoba1 agreements · $2.3M
| Recipient | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Manitoba Women's Enterprise Centre Inc | 1 | $2.3M |
Latest agreements
By year
Agreements by the year they started.
| Year | Agreements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24 | $101M |
| 2025 | 2 | $2.8M |
The full record: Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund.
More programs: all provinces.