Ontario East Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Pilot Project Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs

The Government of Canada WES Ecosystem Fund – Regional Stream provides funding to support the Ontario East Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Pilot Project (known as the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program or WEP) being administered by the Ontario East Economic Development Commission.

This virtual pilot project utilizes existing learning tools and resources typically available only in an in-person environment and delivers them in a virtual format so that women in the five key partner regions across Eastern Ontario can access these important business support services. The goal is to help women entrepreneurs further develop their skills and knowledge so they can start and grow successful businesses.

“The Virtual Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) is a pilot project launched in Fall 2019 through the Ontario East Economic Development Commission to five regions providing an opportunity for women aged 18+ years interested in starting or expanding a full-time business within the partner communities, to access expertise, guidance and resources. This successful project was prescient in that it predates the pandemic and the current universal use of virtual tools for business support and expansion.”