Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (WES) Business Plan

The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (WES Loan Fund) is a national Government of Canada initiative that provides affordable financing to women-owned businesses. Administered through selected partner organizations across the country, the fund helps women entrepreneurs start, expand, and scale their businesses while strengthening gender equity in the Canadian economy.

Official program page:
👉 Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund – ISED

What Is the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund?

The WES Loan Fund is part of the broader Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) — a nearly $7 billion federal initiative aimed at increasing women’s access to financing, mentorship, training, and networks. Through the Loan Fund, women entrepreneurs can access loans of up to $50,000 to start or grow their businesses. These loans are offered by trusted delivery partners across Canada, ensuring local accessibility and support.

Learn more about the overall initiative:
👉 Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)

How the WES Loan Fund Works

The program connects women entrepreneurs with approved partner organizations that disburse loans and offer ongoing business support. These partners include national and regional organizations such as:

• Coralus (formerly SheEO) — https://www.coralus.world/reset
• National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) — https://nacca.ca/
• WEOC National Loan Program (Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada) — https://weoc.ca/loan-program/

Each partner establishes its own loan terms and eligibility requirements under ISED guidelines, ensuring flexibility and regional inclusiveness.

More information:
👉 WES Loan Fund – ISED Program Overview

Key Features of the WES Loan Fund

• Loan amounts: up to $50,000 per applicant
• Interest rates: competitive, set by delivery partners
• Purpose: start, grow, or expand a for-profit business
• Eligible costs: equipment purchases, marketing, working capital, business development, and technology adoption
• Repayment terms: typically flexible, often with grace periods or deferred payments for new businesses

Who Can Apply

The program is open to:

• Women entrepreneurs aged 19 or older who own or co-own a business registered in Canada
• Start-ups and existing businesses that are at least 51% women-owned or controlled
• Self-employed women and sole proprietors
• Women from equity-deserving groups including Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, LGBTQ2+, and rural women

Applicants must demonstrate a viable business plan and the capacity to repay.

Why the WES Loan Fund Matters

Access to capital has long been one of the biggest barriers to women’s entrepreneurship. Through the WES Loan Fund, the Government of Canada is directly addressing this gap by:

• Increasing access to affordable financing
• Creating inclusive pathways for women from underrepresented groups
• Encouraging participation in high-growth sectors such as technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing
• Supporting women in rural, northern, and Indigenous communities
• Enhancing Canada’s competitiveness by fostering diversity in business leadership

The Role of The Biz Plans

At The Biz Plans, we help women entrepreneurs prepare WES-ready business plans that meet funding-partner expectations and demonstrate clear business viability. Our CPA-led team understands how lending partners assess risk and sustainability. We ensure every plan highlights:

• A clear business model and growth roadmap
• Financial projections that reflect realistic cash flow and profitability
• Economic and social impact — key elements of WES-funded projects
• Strengths of women leadership and innovation

Our plans have supported successful applications under programs administered by WEOC, NACCA, and regional women’s enterprise centers across Canada.

How to Apply for the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

1. Review program details on the official ISED website.
   👉 WES Loan Fund Overview
2. Choose the delivery partner in your province or region.
   👉 Find Your Loan Partner
3. Prepare your business plan and supporting documents. The Biz Plans can help you create a WES-compliant proposal.
4. Submit your application through the partner organization’s online or local portal.
5. Work with your advisor to finalize loan terms and access business support services.

Additional Resources

• Women Entrepreneurship Strategy – ISED
• Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund – ISED
• Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC)
• National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
• Coralus (formerly SheEO)

Final Thoughts

The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is one of the most impactful initiatives under Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy — empowering women entrepreneurs with access to capital, networks, and growth resources.

At The Biz Plans, we work alongside women founders to translate their ideas into compelling, data-driven business plans that align with WES funding requirements.