StrikeUP 2026: RISE to the Challenge Digital Conference

Canada's Rising Entrepreneurs

Women's entrepreneurship in Canada has gained significant traction, with majority women-owned businesses now accounting for one in five private sector enterprises as of early 2025. This growth, up from 17.6% the previous year, reflects a broader shift amid economic challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions. Reports highlight that these businesses generate over $90 billion in revenue annually and support close to one million jobs, anchoring local economies from urban centers to remote northern regions.

Recent economic pressures, including U.S. tariffs announced in late 2025, have prompted swift adaptations. A survey by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) found that 77% of women SME owners have or plan to mitigate tariff impacts through diversification. Notably, women-owned SMEs export at rates comparable to men-owned ones, and they surpass in markets like the U.K., India, Brazil, and China—key for reducing reliance on U.S. trade, which constitutes the bulk of Canadian exports.

Funding remains a critical hurdle. Women entrepreneurs access venture capital at only 4% of total investments, with fewer rounds and smaller amounts per round. Bias in lending, combined with structural factors like smaller firm sizes and service-sector concentration, exacerbates this. Yet, when women do apply for loans, approval rates reach 88%, higher than men's 77%, suggesting risk aversion plays a role. Alternative financing like crowdfunding has proven more equitable, but gaps persist, especially for diverse groups such as Indigenous and Black women entrepreneurs.

Family and personal responsibilities add another layer. Global data shows women are 47% more likely than men to close businesses for these reasons, underscoring the tension between entrepreneurship and caregiving. In Canada's North, geographic isolation compounds issues, with high costs and limited infrastructure hindering access to suppliers and training. Government initiatives under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), backed by nearly $7 billion since 2018, have provided over 25,600 loans and grants, but calls for permanent funding intensify to address these disparities.

Sustainability emerges as a strength. Women entrepreneurs lead in eco-friendly practices, such as waste reduction and using recycled materials, aligning with Canada's push toward green innovation. However, lower AI adoption—12.3% versus 16.5% for men—highlights a tech gap that could limit competitiveness. Closing this, alongside broader barriers, could unlock 710,000 'missing' women entrepreneurs, adding up to $180 billion to GDP over recent years.

Tensions abound between stakeholders. Federal policies like the $750 million capital project launching in 2026 and expanded procurement for social enterprises offer promise, but critics argue they overlook regional nuances. Private sector investors, predominantly male, allocate two-thirds of informal funds to men, perpetuating cycles. Trade-offs include balancing growth ambitions with debt risks, where women's caution may protect stability but cap scale-ups.