The Investment Gap: Why Women Entrepreneurs Need More Capital Support
Across Canada, women entrepreneurs are starting and growing businesses in many industries. Despite their hard work and success, many women-led businesses still face a major challenge: getting enough funding to grow and thrive.
The Investment Gap: A Persistent Challenge for Women-Led Businesses in Canada
Despite their significant contributions to the economy, women-led businesses in Canada continue to face substantial barriers in accessing venture capital. According to the 2024 State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada report by the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), women entrepreneurs receive only 4% of all venture capital funding in the country.
This disparity is not due to a lack of potential. Many women-led businesses demonstrate performance on par with or exceeding that of their male counterparts when provided with adequate support and resources.
Why does this gap persist?
- Unconscious Bias: Some investors harbor biases that influence their perceptions of women’s entrepreneurial capabilities.
- Limited Access to Networks: Women entrepreneurs often have fewer opportunities to connect with investor networks and mentorship programs.
- Sector Representation: A significant number of women-led startups operate in industries such as retail or social enterprises, which traditionally attract less venture capital funding.
These challenges result in missed opportunities for women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, create jobs, and contribute more significantly to the economy. Addressing this investment gap is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Canada.
Why Closing the Investment Gap Matters
Providing better access to capital for women entrepreneurs is important for the Canadian economy. Women-led businesses create jobs and bring fresh ideas to the marketplace. If more
women entrepreneurs had the funding they need, it could add billions to Canada’s economy and create a more balanced business environment.
How WEDO Canada Supports Women Entrepreneurs
WEDO Canada is committed to closing the funding gap for women-led businesses. Through the annual WEDO Summit, educational workshops, and the National Scholarship Program, we offer women entrepreneurs the tools and connections to succeed. Our programs help women:
- Prepare strong business pitches and understand key financial metrics.
- Connect with investors who are interested in supporting women-led startups.
- Join a community of women entrepreneurs for support and mentorship.
The theme for the 2025 Summit, “Invest in Her,” highlights these challenges and offers solutions to help women entrepreneurs access the capital they need.
To explore more data, resources, and support for women entrepreneurs, visit the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) Resource Centre.
Join the Movement
If you are a woman entrepreneur looking for funding, or someone who wants to support women in business, WEDO Canada welcomes your involvement.
WEDO is a volunteer-led organisation. Our annual summits are our main fundraising events, and the money we raise goes directly toward scholarships that help women across Canada start and grow their businesses. These scholarships are part of our commitment to supporting the next generation of women entrepreneurs and strengthening the Canadian economy.
We are working toward a goal of raising $1 million for scholarships. You can support this goal by attending our events, learning about our programs, or making a donation through our charitable giving page: Donate to WEDO Canada
Your participation helps create more opportunities for women to build successful businesses and contribute to their communities
