Our History

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a federal government department that helps small and medium sized businesses grow, diversify and create jobs. WD recognized that women face unique challenges when operating their own business, so in 1994, it helped launch the Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba. Soon after, sister organizations opened in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

The goal of the Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba is to provide support from business start-up to sustainability by offering services in three key areas: training, advice and loans for business start-up and growth. This way the Centre can fill the experience and financing gap that faces many women entrepreneurs.

In partnership with a variety of corporate and community partners, WEC has been able to promote entrepreneurship as an option to women throughout Manitoba.

Since the Centre was launched, the team has:

• Responded to more than 120,000 requests for business information
• Hosted more than 25,000 women at seminars and presentation
• Provided more than $17.5 million in start-up and expansion loans from a variety of sources
• Developed several unique initiatives:
• Lessons in Growth: A Forum for Women Entrepreneurs
• The Changing Value of the Canadian Dollar: Two Sides of the Coin
• Recession Proofing Your Business
• GrrlsOwn Biz Camp for Young Entrepreneurs
• Camp Suc'cessiz' mine for Seasoned Entrepreneurs
• Scholarships at Brandon University and Red River College
• "Dreams Do Come True", a video profiling successful Aboriginal women entrepreneurs in Manitoba