Research

State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada 2021

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From Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)

The State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada 2021 report provides an in-depth look at the opportunities, challenges, and contributions of women entrepreneurs in the Canadian innovation ecosystem. Building on the 2020 report, it highlights the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers insights into emerging support initiatives.

Key Insights on Women Entrepreneurs

  • Critical Role in the Economy: Women entrepreneurs drive innovation and contribute significantly to Canada’s prosperity, but they face systemic barriers across financing, services, and support.
  • Unique Characteristics: Women entrepreneurs are more likely to be self-employed, operate smaller businesses, and focus on stability and social impact over growth.

Challenges and Disparities

  • Systemic Barriers: Gender bias, limited access to resources, and amplified challenges for underrepresented groups (e.g., racialized women, Indigenous women, and LGBTQ2S+ individuals).
  • Pandemic Impact: Women experienced disproportionate revenue losses, limited access to government supports, and greater domestic burdens during COVID-19, along with challenges in leveraging the digital transformation boom.

Resilience and Innovation

Despite these challenges, Canadian women entrepreneurs showcased resilience and ingenuity, leading new business creation, pivoting to generate jobs, and innovating in response to the pandemic.

Recommendations for Progress

The report emphasizes the need for inclusive policies and targeted support to address structural barriers and foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem for all women.

Explore the full report to learn more about the state of women’s entrepreneurship in Canada and the actionable steps for building an inclusive, resilient innovation ecosystem.

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