If you’re a woman running or starting a business in agriculture, agribusiness, or food, finding the right financing can be a challenge—especially in the early growth stages. The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program helps by offering adaptable, repayable loans and business supports for women entrepreneurs in Canada. The program is open now and delivered by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), a federal Crown corporation.
The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program provides repayable financing (loans, not grants) along with learning resources and support for women in Canada’s agriculture and food sectors. The goal is to help women start, grow, or improve businesses with financing that fits real farm and food business needs.
Key facts at a glance:
Unlike many grants, this program focuses on long-term sustainability and growth, not short-term reimbursements.
To qualify for the FCC Women Entrepreneur Program, you must meet both personal and business criteria.
You may be eligible if:
You do not need to own 100% of the business, but FCC expects meaningful ownership or management involvement from the woman applicant.
Your business must:
The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program does not publish a fixed maximum loan amount. Instead, financing is customized based on your business needs, financials, and credit profile.
Eligible uses typically include:
Because this is a loan, funds are not restricted to reimbursement-only expenses, which makes it more adaptable than many government grants.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds, especially if you’re comparing FCC financing with agriculture-specific grants.
The application process is handled directly through FCC.
Prepare your business information
Contact FCC
Credit and business assessment
Receive a financing offer
There is no published intake deadline, but approvals depend on FCC’s internal review timelines.
Assuming this is a grant
The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program is a loan. Treat it like debt financing in your cash flow planning.
Applying without clear financial projections
FCC places strong weight on repayment ability. Weak or missing projections can delay or derail approval.
Understating your role in the business
FCC expects real ownership or management involvement from women applicants, not passive participation.
Using the loan for unclear expenses
Be specific about how the funds will support growth or stability in your agri or food business.
Q: Is the FCC Women Entrepreneur Program a grant or a loan?
It is a repayable loan program, not a grant. All financing must be repaid according to agreed terms.
Q: How much funding can I receive?
There is no fixed maximum. Loan amounts vary based on your business size, needs, and credit assessment.
Q: Do I need to own 100% of the business to qualify?
No. You must be meaningfully involved in ownership or management, but full ownership is not required.
Q: What types of businesses are eligible?
Eligible businesses operate in agriculture, agribusiness, or food and beverage sectors, including startups and growing companies.
Q: Is FCC Women Entrepreneur financing taxable?
No. Loans are not considered taxable income, unlike grants. Standard interest and repayment rules apply.
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