Visa She's Next Grant Program (Canada)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Annual grant program by Visa Canada, IFundWomen, and York University's YSpace accelerator awarding $10,000 each to 20 women entrepreneurs in Canada, totaling $200,000. Winners receive both funding and a structured mentorship program including one-to-one mentor matching, networking with fellow recipients, and access to business resources through YSpace. Applicants must own 51%+ of the business, have been operating 2+ years, and generate $50,000+ annual revenue. Applications include a short video pitch submitted through IFundWomen's platform.
Eligibility Requirements
- Women entrepreneur with 51%+ ownership of business (cis or transgender women)
- Business must be registered in Canada (business, nonprofit, or social enterprise)
- Business must have been operating for 2+ years
- Minimum $50,000 annual revenue required
- Must be working full-time on the venture
- Must have a product or service in market that is generating revenue
- Must be at least the age of majority in their province or territory
- Must participate in mentorship and accelerator program if selected
- Open to all industries
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $10,000 per winner (20 grants = $200,000 total annually)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Annual (applications typically open winter, close mid-March; winners notified mid-year)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThe video pitch is critical — practice it until it is polished but authentic. Applications that articulate a specific, measurable use of the $10,000 (not vague 'growth') consistently perform better. The mentorship component through IFundWomen and YSpace is arguably as valuable as the grant itself. Past winners span all industries but businesses with community impact, sustainability focus, or innovation angles stand out. The $50,000 revenue floor and 2-year operating requirement mean this targets growth-stage businesses, not pre-revenue startups. Submit through IFundWomen's platform early in the window. Follow Visa Canada and YSpace social channels for cycle announcements.
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Rejection Pitfalls 10
- Business not 51%+ women-owned
- Business operating for less than 2 years
- Annual revenue below $50,000 minimum
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Success Profile
Women entrepreneur at growth or established stage (not pre-revenue) with 51%+ business ownership, $50K+ annual revenue, and 2+ years in operation. Winners span all industries: 2025 cohort included fibertech (Aruna Revolution), food and beverage, health and wellness, fashion, social enterprise, and technology. Businesses that articulate a clear, specific plan for how $10,000 creates measurable impact (first product run, key hire, market expansion, equipment purchase) perform best. Strong digital presence and compelling video pitch are differentiators.
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Evaluation Criteria
Applications scored on: (1) strength and clarity of business story and growth trajectory, (2) specific, measurable plan for how $10,000 will create impact, (3) quality and authenticity of video pitch, (4) community impact and social purpose elements, (5) innovation and sustainability focus, (6) demonstrated business viability ($50K+ revenue, 2+ years operating). Selection by panel from Visa Canada, IFundWomen, and YSpace (York University). Applications emphasizing specific impact metrics rather than vague 'growth' perform better.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 9
Eligible Expenses 2
- No restrictions on use of funds — grant recipients have full discretion
- Commonly used for: inventory expansion, marketing campaigns, equipment purchases, hiring, product development, market expansion, technology upgrades, e-commerce development
Ineligible Expenses 1
- No formal restrictions specified — funds are unrestricted once awarded
Intake Periods
Annual cycle. Applications typically open in winter and close mid-March. 2025 cycle closed March 16, 2025. Winners notified mid/end February of the following year and publicly announced mid-year (July 2025 for 2025 cycle). 2026 cycle dates not yet announced as of March 2026. Follow ifundwomen.com/visa-canada and YSpace channels for updates.
Deadline Notes
Annual program with application windows typically opening in winter and closing mid-March. The 2025 cycle closed March 16, 2025 with 2026 winners notified by mid/end February 2026 and announced in July 2025. The 2026 cycle dates have not yet been announced. Applications are submitted through IFundWomen's platform (ifundwomen.com/visa-canada) and include a short video pitch. Contact the YSpace ELLA team at [email protected] for updates on upcoming cycles.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses not 51%+ owned by women (cis or transgender)
- Businesses operating for less than 2 years
- Businesses with annual revenue below $50,000
- Businesses not registered in Canada
- Pre-revenue startups or businesses without a product/service in market
- Businesses where the owner is not working full-time on the venture
- Applicants below the age of majority in their province or territory
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Visa She's Next Grant Progr... Compares
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