Women-owned businesses have long faced uphill battles in securing the funding needed to launch and grow their ventures. Despite innovation, dedication and proven track records, female entrepreneurs often encounter systemic obstacles that hinder access to capital—due to factors like unconscious biases, network disparities and risk perception. As a result, many promising businesses fail to reach their potential due to a lack of financial support.
Did you know?
- As of 2021, 51 per cent of the Canadian population is women.
- In the first quarter of 2024, women-owned businesses comprised 19.6 per cent of Canadian private businesses, according to Statistics Canada.
- Despite women business owners contributing about $150 billion to the Canadian economy, they continue to face barriers in their entrepreneurial journeys, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
- While 50 per cent of businesses in Alberta are started by women, only 13.7 per cent of Alberta businesses are women-owned (meaning owned by women with at least 51 per cent share of ownership), according to ATB’s 2023 Sustainability Update.
Here to help
Alberta’s entrepreneur ecosystem has several resources to address the unique challenges facing female entrepreneurs. As part of that group, ATB’s commitment to supporting women-owned businesses extends beyond just providing resources—it's about building a community of empowerment. Through capital funding, networking connections and industry expertise, we create opportunities for women entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate with each other.
Ecosystem resources
The W by ATB Ecosystem resource guide is curated for Albertan women entrepreneurs, outlining available grants, loans, scholarships, government funding and networking opportunities.
Guide highlights
Grants
Loans
- Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Innovative Solutions Canada
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Export Development Canada
- Futurpreneur
- Sustainable Development Technology Fund
- The51
- Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
Awards and scholarships
Business guides
- Alberta Innovates
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
- Business Link
- Community Futures Network of Alberta
- Export Development Canada
- Innovative Solutions Canada
- Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
- Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
Entrepreneurial education
- Futurpreneur
- Alberta Chamber of Commerce
- Business Link
- The51
- Community Futures Network of Alberta
- Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
- Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
- Women in Capital Markets
- Alberta Innovates
- Alberta Chamber of Commerce
- Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
- Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Government-supported programs
- Export Development Canada
- Business Link
- Innovative Solutions Canada
- Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
- Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
- Sustainable Development Technology Fund
- Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Provincial and municipal support
- Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
- Calgary Chamber of Commerce
- The Greater Edmonton Region Chambers of Commerce:
- Beaumont, Devon, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Greater Parkland Regional, Leduc Regional, Morinville, St. Albert and Sherwood Park
- Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
Women networking
Technology and innovation
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Business Link
- Sustainable Development Technology Fund
- Industrial Research Assistance Program
Research
Other resources
Recap: You’re not alone
Due to systemic biases or lack of awareness about available resources, many female business owners have to navigate a maze of obstacles on their entrepreneurial journey. But you don’t have to face the battle of securing funding or finding information alone. Through Alberta’s ecosystem of support, you can access tailored resources and opportunities to help your women-owned business thrive.
