Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Mission
To support women’s access to entrepreneurship and enable them to grow and scale their businesses by providing connection, capacity and capital.

Vision (Mega End)
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs exists so that entrepreneurial women can build successful businesses.

Since May 23, 1995, AWE has been aligned through a unified purpose to increase women’s access to entrepreneurship and in doing so, creating a more prosperous and equitable future for Alberta.  
With our rich history dating back almost three decades, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) was founded as the Alberta Women’s Enterprise Initiative Association (WEI) in 1995.
AWE remains a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, run by a dedicated team of employees and supported by an extensive contractor and volunteer network.  While the services and programs delivered by AWE have evolved through the decades, the focus remains on providing women entrepreneurs the support and resources necessary to build and grow their businesses.

Since 1995, AWE has supported on average 500 businesses per year, amounting to approx. 14,000 unique businesses that have been created, maintained, or expanded through our services.  AWE serves these businesses through access to funding, capacity building skills and education for women to grow and scale their businesses, and by providing business advising services and networking opportunities while promoting entrepreneurship to women and youth and the broader communities across Alberta.

Let's Start Your Business Plan - Webinar Series: Designed for individuals with specific business ideas or those with a few years of business experience who haven't yet crafted a business plan. Sessions cover essential components, guiding entrepreneurs through market research, primary and secondary research insights, and the significance of this data for their business concept. Whether they’re launching a new venture or refining an existing one, these sessions empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge to navigate the crucial aspects of business planning with confidence.

NextStep to Success Business Planning Series: Designed to offer early-stage guidance, expertise, and peer mentoring to Indigenous women aspiring to develop comprehensive business plans for financing purposes. This unique program employs a circle delivery format, fostering a supportive learning environment through small group sessions with real-life examples, success stories, and practical training.

BOLD Leadership Program: Tailored for entrepreneurs seeking to revolutionize their business through a digital lens. This program encourages participants to reevaluate their business strategies, enhance digital leadership, and streamline processes through technology implementation. Key components include developing a digital strategy with a strategic measurement plan, mapping a defined customer journey to address client pain points, and exploring innovation and automation opportunities by mapping internal processes. 

Strategic Edge Program: This program empowers entrepreneurs who are ready for the next stage of success, allowing them to shift focus from working in their business to working on it. Addressing key aspects such as Human Resources, Supply Chain, Growth Marketing, Managing Capital, and Sales for Growth, participants gain insights to overcome financial roadblocks and maximize ROI at each customer journey stage. Led by Expert Advisors, this program offers a comprehensive approach to strategic growth, providing valuable skills and connections for confident business expansion. 

AWE Network: The AWE Network is a vibrant community dedicated to empowering aspiring women entrepreneurs by providing a supportive and collaborative environment. Through immersive workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions, members can connect, learn, and grow together, gaining practical knowledge and skills essential for building successful businesses. The AWE Network is an on-demand platform with over 21 capacity-building sessions covering a wide range of topics, and provides resources to assist with securing business funding.

AWE offers repayable loans ranging from $30,000 to $150,000 to women-owned businesses based in Alberta, serving as a financial partner to kickstart or expand your venture, with a supportive community by your side. These loans are versatile, catering to market-ready startups, business expansions, and various purchases such as leaseholds, equipment, and operating capital. 

The details: 

• Competitive interest rates (ranging from Prime +2% to Prime +4%)
• 5-year terms with no penalty for early repayment
• Our loan administration fee is 1% of the amount loaned to a maximum of $500. There is a non-refundable loan application fee of $100.

The qualifications: 

• Be a 50.1% women-owned and led business
• Business must be registered and located in the province of Alberta
• Applicant must be a permanent resident
• Have a minimum credit score of 650
• Contribute a minimum or have contributed a minimum of 25% owner equity on total project costs
• Contribute a minimum of 30% security on the loan. This amount differs depending on the size, risk, and purpose of the loan.

AWE Awards: Celebrating the success, innovation, and leadership of extraordinary women entrepreneurs, the AWE Awards recognize recipients across four unique business categories at the annual AWE Summit.

The AWE Summit: The AWE Summit is a jam-packed one-day event that connects and celebrates entrepreneurship. The day will be dedicated to sharing knowledge, learning from experts in key areas of interest to women entrepreneurs, and connecting with service support organizations from across the province.