Data On Women Entrepreneurs

Canada's next economic opportunity lies in scaling women-led businesses. The Forum is making big, bold moves to unlock this untapped economic potential.

Data On Women Entrepreneurs

This data illuminates the critical support gap preventing Canada's women entrepreneurs from scaling. The Forum is making big, bold moves to unlock this untapped economic potential.

20%

of all Canadian businesses are majority women-owned.

1M

people are employed by majority women-owned small and medium enterprises.

$90B

in revenue is generated by majority women-owned businesses in Canada.

50%

less likely for women-owned firms to surpass $500,000 in revenue.

4%

of venture capital funding in Canada goes to women founders.

$150B

is the minimum economic loss from missing women entrepreneurs.

25.2%

is the drop in survival rates for women-led businesses after year five.

66.3%

of women-owned SMEs were denied financing due to cash flow.

13.7%

is the average interest rate women pay on lines of credit.

The Forum's Strategic Response

The data forms the foundation of The Forum's first coordinated national strategy, backed by more than $2.1 million in initial philanthropic funding. The Forum has shifted to a data-backed, three-pillar approach that will guide every initiative and partnership.

The Forum's Strategic Response

The data forms the foundation of The Forum's first coordinated national strategy, backed by more than $2.1 million in initial philanthropic funding. The Forum has shifted to a data-backed, three-pillar approach that will guide every initiative and partnership.

The Forum's Three-Pillar Approach

Educate

Delivers laser-focused, evidence-based training that directly addresses the knowledge gaps preventing women entrepreneurs from growing and scaling.

Activate

Creates direct pathways to capital and opportunity by connecting entrepreneurs to funding ecosystems, strategic partnerships, and decision-making circles.

Elevate

Increases visibility for women entrepreneurs while dismantling unconscious bias, amplifying their success and showing the next generation what’s possible.