DELIA fund

DELIA stands for Develop, Educate, Lead, Innovate, and Accelerate, which is the core focus of the project. With the backing of Canada's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, DELIA aims to promote gender equity in business. The DELIA brand represents all these values and more.

Nventure

Overview of the DELIA fund program:

The DELIA Fund is a national women entrepreneurship loan programme powered by Nventure, providing pro‑woman Canadian entrepreneurs with microloans typically around $15,000 (up to $50,000), paired with advisory support. Funded through FedDev Ontario and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, DELIA offers capital to acquire assets, develop new products or services, or scale operations. The fund targets ventures led and controlled (50%+) by women across all industries, promoting gender equity in access to financing and fostering economic growth through innovative business development.

Benefits of the DELIA fund program:

DELIA expands access to affordable growth capital for women-led ventures across Canada, with loans up to $50,000 and flexible repayment terms. Its interest rates are competitively priced (Prime + 24%), and there are no pre-payment penalties. Borrowers benefit from advisory services, mentoring, and connection to networks to support long-term success. The fund prioritizes underrepresented entrepreneurs, promoting inclusive economic development and reducing systemic capital gaps nationwide.

Eligibility criteria of the DELIA fund program:

Women-owned and controlled (50%+ ownership and decision-making) businesses
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, age 19+
Business must be for-profit sole proprietorship, corporation, coop, or social enterprise
Registered in Canada with a valid CRA Business Number and separate business bank account
Start-ups (12 months) need financial statements
No previous bankruptcy; basic liquidity requirements must be met