Women Entrepreneurship: Grants & Funding in North America 2026

Women have never been more entrepreneurially active — and never more underserved by traditional funding systems. Across North America, women entrepreneurship is rewriting economic narratives, challenging legacy barriers, and producing some of the most resilient, impact-driven companies of the decade. Yet the funding gap persists. Women-led startups continue to receive a disproportionately small share of venture capital, institutional loans, and early-stage investment compared to their male counterparts.

This is not an opinion — it is a documented structural reality. According to data from Crunchbase, female-founded startups consistently receive less than 3% of total venture capital funding in any given year in the United States. The numbers in Canada and Brazil, while shaped by different policy environments, reflect similar trends.

The good news: governments, development banks, and private organizations across Canada, the United States, and Brazil have responded with targeted grants, interest-free loans, mentorship programs, and business development resources designed specifically for women entrepreneurs. If you know where to look, the support infrastructure is significant.

This guide breaks it all down — country by country, program by program.

The State of Women Entrepreneurship in North America

Women-owned businesses are not a niche segment — they are a structural pillar of the North American economy. In the United States alone, women own approximately 13 million businesses, generating over $1.9 trillion in annual revenue and employing more than 9 million people. In Canada, women entrepreneurs account for roughly 16% of self-employed business owners, a share that has been gradually growing, with women-led businesses contributing over $150 billion to the GDP annually.

Brazil presents the most dynamic growth story on this list. The country has one of the highest female entrepreneurship rates among emerging economies, with millions of Brazilian women operating micro and small enterprises, many of them in the service, retail, and digital economy sectors. The Brazilian government and development institutions have taken note, rolling out dedicated financial inclusion programs with women as the target beneficiary.

Despite this scale, the funding gap remains the defining obstacle. Women entrepreneurship faces compounding disadvantages: lower collateral due to historical wealth gaps, bias in investment evaluation, and limited access to networks where early-stage capital decisions are often made informally.

Understanding the support ecosystem available is the first and most critical step toward closing that gap.

Support and Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada

Women entrepreneur reviewing business plan at a modern desk, representing women entrepreneurship grants and funding in North America

Canada has built one of the most comprehensive support infrastructures for women entrepreneurs among developed nations. The approach is layered — combining federal policy, provincial programs, not-for-profit networks, and financial institution initiatives — to create a multi-point entry system for women at every stage of business.

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)

The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is the cornerstone of Canada’s federal commitment to women entrepreneurship. Launched in 2018 and continued with significant investment through subsequent federal budgets, WES represents a multi-billion-dollar commitment to help women-owned and women-led businesses start, grow, and scale. Under WES, the government funds a national network of ecosystem organizations — accelerators, incubators, mentorship hubs, and business development centres — specifically serving women founders.

The WES Ecosystem Fund supports organizations that provide women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and capacity they need to succeed. These include organizations such as Women’s Enterprise Centre (Western Canada), Women Business Enterprises (Ontario), and the Centre for Women in Business (Atlantic Canada), among others.

BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) — Women in Technology Venture Fund

The Business Development Bank of Canada runs dedicated initiatives supporting women entrepreneurship, including the BDC Women in Technology Venture Fund, which invests in women-led technology companies across Canada. BDC also offers advisory services, educational resources, and financing products tailored to women-owned businesses. Their research arm has produced landmark reports documenting the financing gap and lending practices affecting women entrepreneurship.

Futurpreneur Canada — Women’s Entrepreneurship Program

Futurpreneur Canada provides startup loans (up to $20,000), mentorship, and business resources to aspiring young women entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39. Partnering with BDC for co-lending arrangements, Futurpreneur is one of the most accessible entry points for women in their first founding experience.

Coralus (formerly SheEO)

Originally founded as SheEO, Coralus operates a radically different model of support for women and non-binary entrepreneurs. The organization pools contributions from “activators” — individuals who contribute $1,100 annually — and distributes those funds as 0% interest loans to ventures led by women and non-binary founders. The loans are repaid over five years, and the repaid funds are recycled to support the next cohort. Coralus operates in Canada and has expanded to the United States and New Zealand.

Women’s Enterprise Centres (Provincial Networks)

Every province in Canada has at least one women’s enterprise organization, many of which are funded through the WES Ecosystem Fund. These centres offer business advising, loan programs, training, workshops, networking events, and mentorship matching. They serve as the ground-level delivery mechanism for federal women entrepreneurship policy.

Grants and Funding Programs for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada

1. Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)

Administered by: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Grant Amount: Up to $100,000 (non-repayable contribution)
Eligibility: Canadian businesses that are 51%+ owned and controlled by women, incorporated, and demonstrating high-growth potential
Purpose: Scale operations, enter new markets, and adopt innovative technologies
How to Apply: Through designated regional delivery organizations under the WES network; intake dates announced periodically on the ISED website

This is the flagship grant for women-led businesses in Canada. It is non-repayable and targeted at companies ready to scale rather than just launch.

2. Coralus 0% Interest Loan

Loan Amount: Typically $100,000 (CAD)
Eligibility: Women and non-binary entrepreneurs with an existing revenue-generating venture focused on social, environmental, or community impact
Interest: 0% — repaid over five years
How to Apply: Annual application cycle via coralus.com; applications are evaluated by the global community of Coralus Activators

3. Women’s Enterprise Centre — Loan Program (BC)

Loan Amount: Up to $150,000
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in British Columbia
Purpose: Business start-up, expansion, or purchase
Interest Rate: Competitive, below-market rates
How to Apply: wec.ca — applications reviewed on a rolling basis

4. Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) — Regional Programs

WEOC is the national umbrella organization connecting women’s enterprise centres across Canada. Member organizations collectively offer business loans ranging from $5,000 to $150,000, depending on the province and program type. Most offer complementary mentorship and business advising alongside the loan.

5. Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Initiatives

Indigenous women entrepreneurs in Canada can access dedicated funding streams through organizations such as the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and the Aboriginal Business Development Fund. These programs recognize the intersection of gender and Indigenous identity as a compounding barrier and provide business loans, grants, and advisory support tailored to Indigenous women founders.

6. Export Development Canada (EDC) — Women in Trade

EDC runs targeted programs for women-owned businesses looking to expand internationally. While not a grant, EDC provides financing, insurance, and bonding solutions with a dedicated lens on women exporters. EDC also partners with financial institutions to de-risk lending to women-owned businesses.

Support and Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in the United States

The United States has the largest private venture capital market in the world, yet women-founded startups continue to receive a disproportionately small share. The federal government and a growing number of states have responded with structured support programs, while an active ecosystem of non-profits and community development organizations fill the gap between government programs and the market.

Small Business Administration (SBA) — Women’s Business Centers

The SBA’s Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) are one of the most widespread support networks for women entrepreneurs in the United States. There are over 130 WBCs operating across the country, offering free or low-cost training, mentorship, business counseling, and access to capital. WBCs work closely with local lenders to connect women entrepreneurs with SBA loan programs. These centers are particularly valuable for women in early-stage or pre-revenue businesses.

SCORE Mentorship Program

SCORE is a national non-profit organization partnering with the SBA that provides free mentoring to entrepreneurs, including a significant focus on women-owned businesses. SCORE has over 10,000 volunteer mentors — many of them experienced executives and former founders — matched with early-stage founders for one-on-one business guidance. SCORE has helped hundreds of thousands of women entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

Tory Burch Foundation — Entrepreneurship Programs

The Tory Burch Foundation runs highly competitive fellowship and education programs for women entrepreneurs. The Foundation’s Fellows Program selects 50 women business owners annually from across the country, providing access to a one-year professional development program, a network of peers and mentors, and connections to capital. The Foundation also partners with Bank of America to offer 0% interest loans to women entrepreneurs through the Tory Burch Foundation Capital Program.

Amber Grant Foundation

The Amber Grant Foundation awards monthly grants to women entrepreneurs, with a $10,000 grant given each month and an additional $25,000 year-end grant awarded from among the monthly recipients. Applications are open year-round with a modest application fee. The Foundation has distributed over $4 million in grants to women entrepreneurs since its founding.

Elevar Equity and IFundWomen

IFundWomen is a platform connecting women entrepreneurs with funding, coaching, and a community of peers. The platform combines crowdfunding with grant opportunities from corporate partners including Google, Visa, and American Express. IFundWomen has channeled over $50 million in capital to women-owned businesses and is one of the most active distribution networks for corporate grant programs targeting women founders.

Grants and Funding Programs for Women Entrepreneurs in the United States

1. SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

Administered by: U.S. Small Business Administration
Type: Business development and contracting access program
Eligibility: Businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (including women of color); 51%+ ownership required
Benefit: Access to federal government contracts set aside for certified 8(a) firms, as well as management and technical assistance
How to Apply: SBA.gov — multi-step certification process; 9-year program participation once approved

2. SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program

Administered by: U.S. Small Business Administration
Type: Federal procurement set-aside program
Eligibility: 51%+ women-owned and controlled U.S. small businesses
Benefit: Access to federal contracts in industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented
How to Apply: Certify through SBA.gov or an approved third-party certifier such as WBENC or NAWBO

3. Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant

Grant Amount: Up to $10,000
Eligibility: Women-owned U.S. businesses focused on social and environmental change; in business for at least three years
Application: Annual cycle; applications open through the Eileen Fisher Foundation website

4. Cartier Women’s Initiative Award

Grant Amount: Up to $100,000 USD (for regional laureates)
Eligibility: Early-stage, for-profit businesses with women founders making measurable social and environmental impact; open internationally including to U.S.-based founders
Application: Annual cycle; open applications at cartierwomensinitiative.com

5. HerRise Microgrant (digitalundivided)

Grant Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Black and Latina women entrepreneurs in the U.S. with a registered business
Purpose: Support underrepresented women founders in tech and innovation
Application: Rolling basis through digitalundivided.com

6. USDA Rural Business Development Grant (Women-Focused Streams)

For women entrepreneurs operating in rural areas, the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program offers funds for business planning, technical assistance, and training through rural economic development organizations. Many rural Women’s Business Centers function as delivery organizations for these funds.

7. State-Level Grants

Every U.S. state operates its own small business grant programs, many of which include women-specific funding windows. California’s IBank, the New York State Small Business Development Center, and the Texas Women’s Business Council are among the most active state-level resources. Women entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to check their state’s official economic development office for current grant opportunities.

Support and Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in Brazil

Brazil is home to one of the most entrepreneurially active female populations in the world. Brazilian women disproportionately lead micro and small businesses, particularly in the informal economy, and represent a significant share of digital commerce growth. The challenge has historically been access to formal credit and institutional support — barriers that a new generation of government programs and fintech platforms is working to dismantle.

SEBRAE — Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas

SEBRAE is Brazil’s primary small business support organization and operates the most expansive women entrepreneurship infrastructure in the country. SEBRAE offers free and subsidized training programs, business plan workshops, mentorship matching, and market access support specifically for women entrepreneurs. Its “Mulheres de Negócio” (Business Women) program has served hundreds of thousands of women-led micro and small businesses across all 26 states.

Rede Mulher Empreendedora

Founded by Ana Fontes, the Rede Mulher Empreendedora is Brazil’s largest women’s entrepreneurship network, with over three million members. The network provides training, events, and a curated community connecting women founders across sectors and regions. It serves as a soft-entry point for first-time women entrepreneurs who need visibility, community, and informal mentorship before accessing formal credit systems.

BNDES — Women-Focused Credit Lines

The Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), Brazil’s national development bank, has introduced credit lines specifically targeting women entrepreneurs. The BNDES Fundo Clima and PRONAMPE programs have included women-specific eligibility tiers and interest rate reductions to incentivize lending to women-owned businesses. BNDES operates through partner commercial banks, so access is through accredited financial institutions rather than directly through the bank.

Impact Hub Brazil

Impact Hub Brazil connects women entrepreneurs building impact-driven businesses with co-working space, funding opportunities, mentorship networks, and global connections through the Impact Hub international network. Several Impact Hub locations in Brazil run women-specific accelerator tracks and have partnerships with development organizations funding gender-lens investments.

Grants and Funding Programs for Women Entrepreneurs in Brazil

1. PRONAMPE — Programa Nacional de Apoio às Microempresas e Empresas de Pequeno Porte

Type: Government-backed low-interest credit line
Administered by: Federal government of Brazil through partner banks
Eligibility: Micro and small businesses with annual revenue under BRL 4.8 million; women-owned businesses receive preferential terms in participating lender programs
Interest Rate: Selic rate + up to 6% per year — significantly below market rates
How to Apply: Through BNDES-accredited commercial banks and credit cooperatives

2. Banco do Brasil — Crédito Fácil Mulher

Type: Microcredit and working capital credit line
Administered by: Banco do Brasil
Purpose: Designed specifically for women MEI (Individual Microentrepreneur) and small business owners
Loan Amounts: Starting from BRL 1,000 for MEI, scaling with business size
Benefit: Simplified documentation requirements, reduced collateral demands, financial literacy support
How to Apply: Directly through Banco do Brasil branches or the BB app

3. Programa Elas — Caixa Econômica Federal

Type: Social microcredit and financial inclusion program
Administered by: Caixa Econômica Federal
Purpose: Financial inclusion and credit access for low-income women entrepreneurs
Benefit: Microcredit with reduced bureaucracy, financial education, and group-guarantee models
Eligibility: Women in low-income brackets operating informal or semi-formal businesses
How to Apply: Through Caixa branches and Correspondentes Caixa Aqui agents

4. Cartier Women’s Initiative — Brazil Applicants

Brazilian women entrepreneurs building social or environmental impact businesses are eligible to apply for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award, which offers up to $100,000 USD to regional laureates and $30,000 USD to finalists. The award carries global visibility and ongoing mentorship from the Cartier network.

5. SEBRAE x Endeavor — Scale-Up Programs

SEBRAE and Endeavor Brazil operate scale-up acceleration programs for high-growth women-led businesses, combining grant-equivalent support (in the form of mentorship, market access, and co-investment facilitation) with access to Endeavor’s global network of mentors and investors. These programs are competitive but carry significant non-monetary value through network access.

6. IFC and World Bank — Gender-Lens Investments

Through its International Finance Corporation arm, the World Bank Group has committed to gender-lens investing in Brazil across financial institutions, private equity funds, and direct project finance. Several Brazilian impact funds backed by IFC capital have women entrepreneurship as a specific investment mandate.

Is Your Business Idea Investor-Ready? Get a Founder Review

Before applying for grants or approaching investors, your business concept needs to be stress-tested by someone who understands both the market and what funders are actually looking for. That is exactly what IMFounder’s Founder Review service is designed to do.

Founder Review is a structured advisory service built for founders at the idea or early stage. Our team works through your concept with you across four critical dimensions: idea validation (does your concept solve a real problem at real scale?), market research (who are your actual competitors, and where is the whitespace?), go-to-market strategy (how do you acquire your first 100 customers?), and pitch review (is your story investor-ready, or are you leaving questions unanswered before you even walk in the room?).

Whether you are a first-time woman entrepreneur preparing your first grant application or a founder getting ready for a seed round, a Founder Review gives you the clarity, structure, and honest feedback that the process demands. Women-led businesses that present well — with validated assumptions, researched markets, and a compelling narrative — dramatically improve their chances of securing the grants and funding outlined in this guide.

Explore Founder Review at IMFounder → imfounder.com/founder-review

Final Thoughts

Women entrepreneurship is not a trend — it is a force. The economic contribution of women founders is measurable, growing, and still constrained by structural barriers that targeted funding programs are working to dismantle. In Canada, the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy has created an accessible national ecosystem. In the United States, the SBA network, alongside a robust set of private foundation grants, provides multiple entry points at every business stage. In Brazil, a new generation of fintech-enabled credit products and SEBRAE’s broad reach are bringing formal financial support to women who were previously locked out of the system.

The resources exist. The work is in knowing them, preparing for them, and approaching them with the rigor that competitive programs require. Start with your idea, validate it thoroughly, build your case, and then put these programs to work for your business.

Women Entrepreneurship in North America: Grants, Funding, and Support for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada, the U.S., and Brazil

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