From Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC)
Close to 1,000 women entrepreneurs from across Canada were asked to reflect on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses were collected from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
The research was designed to:
- Better understand the challenges facing women entrepreneurs across Canada, both overall and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Identify the changing needs of women entrepreneurs and resources that would contribute to their success.
- Determine awareness levels of, and access to, existing programs for women entrepreneurs.
- Inform the development of relevant tools that support women entrepreneurs.
Key Findings
The responses focus on five key themes. And while important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these themes will continue to resonate in the post-COVID economy:
- Optimism
- Pivoting, Adaptability & Resilience
- Gender Specific Entrepreneurial Support
- Financial Support
- Digitization
As Canada moves beyond the immediate impacts of the pandemic, this report serves as both a reflection and a roadmap, highlighting where targeted support and systemic change are still needed to ensure women entrepreneurs can thrive.
Download the full report, or view it on the WEOC website.