Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) Program
What is IWE?
The Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs (IWE) program is here to help Indigenous women in the Dehcho Region start or grow their businesses. It offers practical support like business advice, skills workshops, and access to a microloan fund.
The program is run by the Dehcho Business Development Centre (DCBDC) in partnership with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA). NACCA launched IWE in 2022 through 32 Indigenous financial institutions across Canada, including DCBDC.
Business Support Services
The IWE Program provides business support to Indigenous women as they create a business plan, set and maintain short- and long-term strategic business goals, and manage business budgets.
Skills Development Workshops
The IWE program hosts free skills development and training workshops for IWEs in the region, discussing subjects like pricing, budgeting, funding, marketing, taxation, and other aspects of owning a business in a First Nations community.
IWE Microloan Fund
DCBDC offers microloans to Indigenous women entrepreneurs through the IWE program. The fund is open to all types of businesses, even small home-based ones. A bonus — 45% of the loan is a grant, making it easier to grow your business.
Example: If you apply for $10,000, you only need to repay $5,500. The other $4,500 is free funding to help your business grow!
Maximum loan per business: $25,000
Eligibility
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Must be an Indigenous woman
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Applicant must be eighteen (18) years or over.
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Business must be opening or expanding within Dehcho Region
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Business must be majority owned by an Indigenous woman (over 51%)