Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) – WES Ecosystem Fund

ByMaurice

Description:

The WES Ecosystem Fund was designed to provide non-repayable contribution funding to projects led by not-for-profit organizations that would help close service gaps and strengthen capacity within the women entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of a non-repayable contribution. Typically through this type of funding, recipients incur costs, and submit claims for reimbursement. Total Canadian government assistance for all eligible expenses, including federal, provincial/territorial and municipal, cannot exceed 100% of total eligible costs funded.

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

  • be Canadian not-for-profit which operates at a local, regional or national level and falls under at least one of the following categories:
  • business and entrepreneur support organizations;
  • research/innovation hubs;
  • organizations that certify diverse suppliers in Canada;
  • Indigenous organizations; and
  • business accelerators and incubators.
  • be in operation for a minimum of one year (as of March 15, 2021).
  • demonstrate that they meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • have an established mandate focused on supporting women and/or women entrepreneurs; and/or
  • have existing programming (offered within the past one year) focused on women entrepreneurs/women skill development.

Projects must:

  • be led by an eligible not-for-profit organization that has been in operation for a minimum of one year (as of March 15, 2021);
  • be completed by March 31, 2025;
  • have a minimum budget of $400,000;
  • not exceed a budget of $4,000,000;
  • focus on women entrepreneurs or women majority owned businesses (51% or more ownership stake) and demonstrate a focus on diverse/intersectional and/or under-served women entrepreneur populations; and
  • meet one or more of the project scope elements.
  • be delivered in both official languages in case of National/Multi-Regional Project activities and products.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit:

  1. a maximum ten-page (12-point font, double spaced) Microsoft Word or PDF document Proposal Paper;
  2. one year of past financial statements (audited or review engagement);
  3. the incorporation document;
  4. the completed Budget Detail Template;
  5. a Sustainability Plan (covering the period after funding ends 2024-2025);
  6. Letters of support from partners (optional);
  7. Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between partners organizations (if applicable);
  8. Confirmation if the organization is subject to comply with M-30 legislation, if Quebec-based organizations.

Other Things to Note:

Under this new call, $25 million is allocated to support new projects that are focused on responding to systemic barriers and gaps for diverse, intersectional and/or under-served women. 

Program Contact:

WES Ecosystem Fund

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy’s Ecosystem Fund Application Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: WES Ecosystem Fund

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    ISED-ISDE3833E – WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP STRATEGY (WES) ECOSYSTEM FUND

    About the author

    Maurice

    Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Ontario to identify and maximize government grants to grow their business. Click here to learn more about Moe’s background and how he can help your business.

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