WEOC National Loan Program surpasses $20 Million milestone, supporting over 450 women entrepreneurs
The WEOC National Loan Program reaches across industries to fuel business growth in cities across Canada. To date, more than $20 million has been disbursed, directly supporting 450-plus women entrepreneurs in 200 cities and towns, from Bay Roberts, NL to Carcross, YT. In turn, those entrepreneurs are supporting more than 770 jobs in a wide variety of industries, from food processing to healthcare and manufacturing.
Recent success stories include:
Jessica Bosman and Bryn Davis Williams, Founders, DOUBL, British Columbia: “The WEOC National Loan Program has been a game changer for DOUBL, allowing us to maintain momentum when it mattered most.”
Desya Hrytzak, a co-founder, In a Pinch Perogies, Saskatchewan: “WESK and WEOC have been so amazing and the loan process has been so easy. A lot of the back end of things are new to us and WEOC has been so understanding without being pushy. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Nicole Keats, owner, The Newfoundland Tea Company, Newfoundland & Labrador: “The WEOC National Loan Program has helped me open a small shop and warehouse space here in Gander, which has been a game-changer for my business. This support has truly helped me take The Newfoundland Tea Company to the next level.”
The WEOC National Loan Program was established in 2022 as part of the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Through its work with Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) and numerous loan fund partners across the country, WEOC has been able to deliver on its promise to provide a low-barrier funding option that is accompanied by wide-ranging business supports, including training, advising and mentorship.
Over the past two years, WEOC has continued to review and enhance its processes, while building trust and recognition within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Growing steadily from the first loan in November 2022, the WEOC National Loan Program is now averaging $1 million a month in disbursements. Looking forward, 2025 is poised to see another $13 million in disbursements, bringing total supports to more than 700 women entrepreneurs who have created or maintained nearly 1,000 jobs, in hundreds of communities across Canada.
One of the foundational goals of the WEOC National Loan Program is to reduce barriers commonly faced by women entrepreneurs looking to access capital. WEOC does not rely on credit scores alone, instead its loans team looks beyond the numbers to understand the full picture of a woman’s financial situation and business potential.
As WEOC continues to address systemic barriers within the entrepreneurial ecosystem — including biased attitudes and outdated processes — the WEOC National Loan Program remains a critical tool for progress. By growing its impact, the program is fueling innovation, empowering communities, and shaping a future that is both inclusive and economically strong.