FAQ

1. ”I heard about this program on the news, can you tell me more about it? “

Access to Supply Chains program’s goal is to help existing businesses that are women-owned expand or grow their business. It will open doors to:

• Corporate contracts: many large corporations that have supplier diversity programs that they are looking to access service or products from businesses that are women owned. WEConnect Canada is a national organization that provides certification of women-owned businesses. Once certified, the business’ profile is entered into the national database where corporations can access listings of women-owned businesses. WEConnect Canada also offers seminars on how to leverage and market your certification in order to win new contracts. 

• Government contracts ranging from local to federal contracts: as well as large contracts, there are also sub-contract opportunities available which can be, depending on the business, sometimes easier to access and manage. The Access to Supply Chains program connects you to the networks and information you need to navigate through the process and bid on these opportunities.

   
• New markets: this can mean markets outside of the region your business is in now. Whether it's expanding your reach into other areas of your province, to other provinces or even internationally, Access to Supply Chains will link you to the experts, resources and training needed to be successful.   

   

   

2. “What is WEConnect?”or “How I can access corporate contracts?”

WEConnect Canada is a non-profit organization, now 15 months old, that certifies businesses that are owned, managed and controlled by women and connects them with the growing corporate and public sector demand for diverse suppliers.  Some of the benefits to your business from certification include access to training, mentorship and coaching, inclusion of your company profile and details in the WEConnect Canada database, and business to business trading and partnerships created with other WEConnect certified businesses.

Eligibility criterias include the business being owned a minimum of 51% by women, the business is established and successful and has the capacity to sell to large corporations and/or the ability to scale their operations accordingly. The business can be product or service-based in any sector.

There is a $750 non-refundable application fee. For more information about certification, please go to their website at www.weconnectcanada.org and click on the “Getting Certified” tab. There you will find more information about the benefits to becoming certified, FAQ’s, eligibility criterias, the application process and the on-line application.

As a regional partner of WEConnect Canada, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs conducts the documentary reviews and site visits to businesses to ensure they meet the eligibility criterias set out by WEConnect Canada.

Opportunities for training, networking, mentoring & coaching through the Access to Supply Chains program will be rolling out this fall. For now, we can add your information to our contact list so you will be notified about events as they are announced.  To do this, please to fill out our contact form.