Newsletter: June 2017 


Message from the Chair 
Good news from the West! Our partnership with BDC is now public information (see below). We hope that this pilot project will help to leverage additional dollars for women's entrepreneurship across Canada. 

Just a short message this month to tell all our members to have a happy and relaxed summer. We wish you good luck in getting all of your summer projects done, whether they be work related or personal. We will be using our summer down time to plan new ways to serve the women's entrepreneurship community in Canada and will keep you posted on our progress. 

Best regards, 
Sandra 

In This Issue: 

  • BDC and Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba Partnership 
  • New Northern Region Social Enterprise Partnership
  • BWIT and WEOC Trade Mission to WBENC Conference
  • Award Applications: IWEC Awards and Startup Canada Awards
  • Upcoming Events  
Increased Capital Available for Women Entrepreneurs in  Manitoba
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba (WECM) have teamed up to streamline the process to access the capital necessary to start, grow and expand women-owned businesses in Manitoba.

WECM, a member of WEOC, provides loans up to $150,000 to women-owned and female/male partnerships that are starting, growing or purchasing businesses in Manitoba. The new co-lending agreement means that BDC can provide an additional $100,000 to businesses that require more capital to successfully start or grow.

Read the full media release here. 
New Northern Region Social Enterprise Partnership
NORDIK Institute, Algoma University’s community based research institute, announced that they have recently been awarded $250,000 to lead a Northern Region Social Enterprise Partnership initiative funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Growth.

NORDIK, together with the Northwest Regional Innovation Centre in Thunder Bay, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation’s Business Enterprise Centre, YouLaunch with the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre in Sault Ste. Marie and PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise in Thunder Bay will partner to support social enterprise development in northern Ontario.

Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) 
Trade Mission to WBENC 2017 National Conference and Business Fair

Interested in exporting to the U.S? There's still time to join BWIT and WEOC's Trade Mission to the  Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Conference and Business Fair held in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the world’s largest conference targeted to women who want to access supplier diversity opportunities through U.S. Fortune 500 companies. The three day conference will feature acclaimed speakers, executive workshops, and networking opportunities, including the WBENC Business Fair which hosts more than 300 exhibitors and procurement specialists. 

The schedule of events for Canadian delegates is as follows:

More information can be found on the BWIT website. If you are interested in attending, please email BWIT as soon as possible.
Award Applications for Women Entrepreneurs
IWEC Awards
The International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) established the IWEC Awards with the goal of honouring and connecting women business owners around the world. An important aspect of IWEC awardees is their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility programs such as mentoring, board participation, community outreach, and sustainability. 

Awardees are invited to participate in the 10th Anniversary 2017 Annual IWEC Conference from November 12 to 14 in Redmond, Washington, United States to receive their award, network, and share best practices.  Apply to become an awardee now.
Startup Canada Awards 
The Startup Canada Awards recognizes those driving impact and demonstrating excellence in Canada’s entrepreneurship and innovation community. Objectives of the awards are to:   
  • Celebrate those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada
  • Increase those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada 
  • Incentivize efforts and elevate the ambitions of the Canadian entrepreneurial community
Individuals and organizations can self-nominate or nominate someone else for a Startup Canada Award. The deadline to nominate is June 16. Click here to submit a nomination today!
Upcoming Events
WBENC 2017 National Conference & Business Fair 

June 20-22, 2017  
Las Vegas, NV |  Learn more here
WEConnect International in Canada National Conference 

September 7, 2017  
Toronto, ON | Visit website
Go for the Greens Business Development Conference for Women 
September 14-16, 2017
Orlando, FL | Learn more here
WBE Canada Conference 

September 28, 2017  
Toronto, ON |  Learn more here
WEOC Board

Sandra Altner, Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
Paula Sheppard, Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs
Laurel Douglas, Women's Enterprise Centre of British Columbia
Marcela Mandeville, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
Ruth Vachon, Femmes, Affaires et Développement
Prabha Mitchell, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan   

Want to become a member of WEOC? Interested in resources for women entrepreneurs? Find these and much more at our website: