Canada’s entrepreneurial gender gap represents a missed opportunity for job creation, innovation, and overall economic expansion.
A new report from the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) delves into the critical role that women entrepreneurs play in shaping Canada’s economy and driving innovation, as well as the barriers they face, particularly in the digital and sustainability sectors.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for nearly 99.8% of employing businesses, are important contributors to the Canadian economy. One factor that limits the impact of SMEs on the Canadian economy is the entrepreneurial gender gap. While the percentage of women-owned businesses has increased slightly in recent years, women are still underrepresented in entrepreneurship and continue to face challenges when starting and sustaining their businesses.
Key report findings include:
- Women entrepreneurs are vital to Canada’s economy and sustainability goals. Increasing their participation can help boost job creation and innovation while advancing net-zero and social impact initiatives.
- Gender bias and financial barriers are holding women entrepreneurs back. They face stereotypes, limited networking opportunities, work-life balance challenges, and greater difficulty securing funding due to investor skepticism.
- Support programs must become more effective and inclusive. Women entrepreneurs often feel over-mentored but underfunded, with Black women and other equity-deserving entrepreneurs experiencing compounded barriers— solutions must provide targeted funding, flexible support, and childcare options.
ICTC’s new report, Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Women Entrepreneurs as Catalysts for Sustainable Growth, highlights the substantial economic and social impact of supporting women-owned businesses, while offering actionable solutions for creating a more equitable and thriving entrepreneurial landscape in Canada.
The report outlines six strategies to foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women, including improving access to capital, providing flexible support programs, combating gender stereotypes, and addressing childcare needs for entrepreneurs.
Read the Full Report
Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Women Entrepreneurs as Catalysts for Sustainable Growth
To arrange an interview about this report or for other media inquiries, please contact Anne Patterson at @email or at (613) 237-8551 Ext. 854.
This project is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national center of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, and with a team of 110 experts, we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale. Visit www.ictc-ctic.ca.
About Digital Alberta
Digital Alberta is the interactive and digital media industry association for Alberta. We are a member-supported, non-profit organization at the intersection of technology and art, that represents the following industries: digital media, martech, video game development, eLearning, visual effects, animation, AI and VR/AR industries. Our members embrace technology as entrepreneurs, artists, developers, designers, educators and students. Visit www.digitalalberta.com.
