Research

WeBC Impact Report: 2019 to 2024

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From Mission to Economic Movement

For 30 years, WeBC has been a vital resource for women entrepreneurs across British Columbia, offering financing, training, and mentorship to help businesses thrive. Recognizing the need to measure its impact, WeBC conducted this Impact Study to assess its effectiveness during the 5-year period from 2019 to 2024, and identify opportunities for growth.

This five-year impact report reveals a powerful truth: empowering women entrepreneurs isn’t just a
mission—it’s a movement that can redefine Canada’s economic future.

In the next 5 years, Canadian women will control early $4 trillion in assets (CIBC Capital Markets Report), igniting a historic wealth transfer that demands bold action. With women making up 38 percent of B.C.’s self-employed individuals, there’s an untapped economic opportunity waiting to be unlocked—potential that can reshape Canada’s economy, fuel job growth, and strengthen communities across the province.

Despite their immense economic potential, women and non-binary entrepreneurs continue toface systemic barriers of access to capital and resources. WeBC exists to change that.

This report shows that women and non-binary entrepreneurs who access WeBC programs consistently outperform national averages for small business survival, revenue growth, and job creation, thanks to the support we provide. The $8.5 million that WeBC has distributed in loans over the past five years has generated roughly $223 million in incremental revenue, over $131 million in economic impact, and 3,700 incremental person years of employment.

Every dollar lent by WeBC creates $15.44 in economic impact. And every dollar invested in WeBC’s support programs generates a 26x return.

If you read just one section of this report, start with the Executive Summary—three pages that capture our top insights, findings, and recommendations from the past five years.