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

Alberta Innovates
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs grants resource list

Loans

Industrial Research Assistance Program
Innovative Solutions Canada 
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
Business Development Bank of Canada
Export Development Canada 
Futurpreneur
The51
Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

Awards and scholarships

Alberta Chamber of Commerce
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

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

Export Development Canada
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
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

Southern Alberta Women in Business
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Technology and innovation

Business Development Bank of Canada
Business Link
Industrial Research Assistance Program

Research

Alberta Innovates
Industrial Research Assistance Program

Other resources

The51
Women in Capital Markets
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
DirectHer
 

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.