WES Ecosystem Fund 2027 opens with $80M for women entrepreneur support organizations
The Government of Canada is accepting proposals from not-for-profit organizations to deliver business support services to women entrepreneurs and majority women-owned businesses, with up to $80 million in non-repayable funding available over four years.
Govgrant newsroomOctober 7, 2026 · 4 min read
- Total funding available
- Up to $80 million
- Project budget range
- $250,000 to $6 million per project
- Funding period
- Four years, beginning 2027–28
- Who can apply
- Canadian not-for-profit organizations incorporated federally or provincially, operating for at least 3 years, with an established mandate supporting women and/or women entrepreneurs
- Application deadline
- November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
- Geographic scope required
- National or at least 4 non-regionally clustered provinces and territories
What was announced
The Government of Canada has opened applications for the 2027 Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund. The program will distribute up to $80 million in non-repayable contribution funding to strengthen Canada's entrepreneurship ecosystem and expand access to business support services for women entrepreneurs and majority women-owned businesses.
Since its launch in 2018, the WES Ecosystem Fund has allocated $285 million toward this goal. This latest call represents a major investment in organizations and programs that support women entrepreneurs, rather than providing funding directly to individual entrepreneurs.
Who can apply and what projects qualify
The lead applicant must be a Canadian not-for-profit organization that is incorporated federally or provincially, has been operating for at least three years, and has either an established mandate focused on supporting women and/or women entrepreneurs, or has offered programming focused on women entrepreneurs within the past three years. Organizations that have previously received WES funding are eligible, as are organizations new to the program.
Eligible projects must serve women entrepreneurs or majority women-owned businesses and operate at a national scale or serve at least four provinces and territories that are not regionally clustered. Projects must have a budget between $250,000 and $6 million, be completed by March 31, 2031, and deliver services and products in both English and French in accordance with the Official Languages Act.
Priority areas for funding
The Government of Canada has identified three priority areas, though organizations are not required to focus exclusively on these. Access to equity capital is one priority, with projects helping women entrepreneurs understand, access, or navigate equity financing opportunities. A second priority is the development or strengthening of women-focused business accelerators and incubators that provide mentorship, training, networking, and investor connections.
Procurement and supplier diversity represents the third priority area. Projects in this space help women-owned businesses understand procurement processes, become procurement-ready, access supplier networks, and identify opportunities to sell to larger organizations. Projects addressing other needs in the women's entrepreneurship ecosystem may also be considered if applicants demonstrate that their project responds to a clearly identified and unmet need.
- Access to equity capital
- Women-focused accelerators and incubators
- Procurement and supplier diversity opportunities
- Projects serving diverse, intersectional, or underserved populations of women entrepreneurs
- Projects supporting women in traditionally male-dominated or underrepresented sectors
How to apply and assessment
Organizations must submit a completed application form, project budget form, and other required documentation by November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Applications can be submitted in English or French and should address all required sections in the official 2027 Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund – Call for Proposals Application Guide.
Applications will be assessed competitively. Meeting basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding; applicants must demonstrate the relevance, quality, feasibility, and expected impact of their proposed projects according to the program's assessment criteria. Incomplete applications may not proceed to the next stage of selection.
What organizations should do next
Organizations interested in applying should carefully review the official 2027 Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund – Call for Proposals Application Guide, which contains detailed instructions on eligibility, project requirements, assessment criteria, and application procedures. Given the geographic requirement that multi-regional projects serve at least four non-regionally clustered provinces and territories, applicants should carefully plan their project scope and geographic strategy before submitting.
- Review the official application guide
- Confirm organizational and project eligibility
- Develop a detailed project plan and budget
- Ensure applications address all required sections
- Submit by the November 9, 2026 deadline
Frequently asked questions
Can an organization that has never received WES funding apply?
Yes. Organizations that have never previously received WES funding are eligible to apply, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements, including being incorporated in Canada, operating for at least three years, and having an established mandate focused on supporting women and/or women entrepreneurs or having offered programming focused on women entrepreneurs within the past three years.
Does a multi-regional project need to serve specific provinces or territories?
The source does not identify specific provinces or territories that must be served. However, a multi-regional project must serve at least four provinces and territories that are not regionally clustered. Applicants should carefully review the application guide to understand what constitutes "not regionally clustered" before developing their geographic strategy.
Will my organization receive funding if it meets the eligibility requirements?
No. Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. Meeting basic eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee funding. Applicants must demonstrate the relevance, quality, feasibility, and expected impact of their proposed projects according to the program's assessment criteria outlined in the official application guide.
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