Startup loans For women entrepreneurs (Vancity)

A business loan program by Vancity supporting women, non-binary, and inclusive entrepreneurs in British Columbia with funding up to $250,000, plus mentorship, advisory, and networking opportunities to help grow their businesses.

Vancity

Overview of the Startup loans For women entrepreneurs (Vancity) program:

The Vancity Startup Loan for Women Entrepreneurs is a financial initiative designed to empower women and gender-diverse business owners in British Columbia. Offered by Vancity Credit Union in partnership with WeBC, the program combines flexible financial products with wraparound business support. Entrepreneurs can borrow up to $25,000 for startups and up to $250,000 for businesses with at least 12 months of revenue. This funding can be structured either as a term loan or a line of credit, giving recipients the flexibility to manage working capital, purchase equipment, lease space, or fund R&D and market development. In addition to financial resources, participants gain access to business advisors, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities that build long-term capacity. The program supports entrepreneurs whose businesses contribute positively to their communities and offers inclusive approval criteria recognizing training and early-stage business experience as valid qualifications for funding.

Benefits of the Startup loans For women entrepreneurs (Vancity) program:

Up to $25,000 for new businesses (startups)
Up to $250,000 total lending for businesses operating for at least 12 months
Interest rates:
Line of Credit: Vancity Prime + 3%
Term Loan: Vancity Prime + 2.5%
Repayment:
Line of Credit: Monthly interest payments, principal flexible
Term Loan: Fixed payments over 5 years

Eligibility criteria of the Startup loans For women entrepreneurs (Vancity) program:

Eligible applicants must:
Operate or plan to operate within:
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley Regional District
- Greater Victoria
- Sea-to-Sky Corridor
Identify as a woman, non-binary, or gender-diverse individual
Meet one or more of the following:
- Enrolled in or recently graduated from a self-employment or pre-entrepreneurial program
- Have a business plan reviewed by a mentor, coach, or WeBC advisor
- Possess 12 years of sales history
Demonstrate community impact and business potential
Have satisfactory creditworthiness