YOUR PARTNER IN GROWTH FROM IDEA TO IMPACT
Capital that grows with you and backed by a community that believes in your vision.
For three decades, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) has supported women who are building, scaling, and transforming businesses across our province. Our business loans program for women is one of the ways we do that. We provide accessible, transparent, and supportive financing designed specifically for women entrepreneurs.
AWE Loans aren’t just about money. They’re about confidence, clarity, and the opportunity to take your business where you know it can go.
Why AWE Offers Loans
Women entrepreneurs face unique barriers when it comes to financing.
Our loan program exists to:
Offer fair, flexible capital to women who may be overlooked by traditional lenders
Build financial confidence and literacy in a supportive, judgment-free environment
Support economic resilience and leadership among women across Alberta
To us, capital is a catalyst. It unlocks impact, creates opportunity, and keeps great ideas moving.
30 Years of Impact
More than$51 million
Injected into the Alberta economy through our lending program
More than$593 million
Impact on the Alberta economy
More than30,000
Business advising sessions
More than44,000
Individuals trained
We support an average of570
Businesses annually
11.60x
Return
On Every Dollar Invested
Learn More About AWE Loans
Get more details about our financing program, from eligibility to funding options straight to your inbox.
What an AWE Loan Can Support
Every business is different and so are your funding needs. We fund a wide range of business activities, including:
Equipment and technology
Leasehold improvements
Inventory and production
Marketing and business development
Professional services
Working capital and operating expenses
Startup costs for market-ready businesses
Whether you’re opening your first location, hiring your next team member, or leveling up your operations, AWE Loans give you the room to grow.
Flexible, Transparent, Designed for Women
The capital you need to grow
AWE provides repayable loans of up to $150,000 (or more through our lending partners) for women-owned businesses across Alberta.
We offer competitive interest rates, typically ranging from Prime +2% to Prime +4%, giving you reliable access to the funding you need to build momentum.
Repayment that fits your business
Every business grows on its own timeline. AWE offers:
Flexible repayment options
Terms of up to five years
No hidden fees
This is financing designed to support stability.
Personalized support and resources
One solution doesn’t fit all. Our team works with you to understand your goals and help you maximize your investment through:
Templates and tools
Webinars and programs
Connections to business advisors and community partners
Whether you’re figuring out financial projections or exploring expansion, you’ll receive guidance that meets you where you are.
A re-investment cycle that strengthens our whole community
AWE practices cycle-back funding, meaning the interest and fees paid by borrowers are reinvested directly into supporting other women-owned businesses.
When you succeed, the next entrepreneur does too, and together, we build a stronger, more resilient ecosystem for women in Alberta.
This isn’t just a loan program. It’s a community-powered engine for long-term growth.
AWE stepped in with more than just funding. The loan I received enabled me to purchase raw materials and pay my staff during a temporary decline in sales. It gave us the breathing room we needed to adapt, pivot, and ultimately scale up—at a time when many competitors were forced to shut down. The terms were fair, the process was refreshingly straightforward, and the ongoing support has been invaluable.
STEPHANIE GROSS
BUMBY WOOL
Who AWE Loans Are For
AWE Loans support women-owned, Alberta-based businesses at every stage.
You may be a great fit for an AWE Loan if you:
Are a woman entrepreneur with majority ownership (50.1%+)
Operate or plan to operate your business in Alberta
Have a clear business plan and a realistic path to revenue
Are ready to invest equity and contribute to your business’s financial health
Need capital to stabilize or expand your operations
Are seeking working capital and operating expenses
Have a market-ready business that needs start up funds
Whether your business is looking for its first loan, or to expand your operations, there’s a pathway designed for you.
What AWE Loans Are Not For
To stay aligned with our mandate and community impact, AWE Loans cannot be used for:
Personal income or non-business expenses
Paying down personal or business debt
Speculative investments (stocks, land held for resale, etc.)
Purchasing goodwill without tangible assets
Any activity not tied to a real and sustainable business operation
If your needs fall outside these guidelines, we’ll help you explore alternatives.
Ready to Get Started?
AWE Loans aren’t just about funding your business.
They’re about funding your future.
Loan Redress and Appeal Process
Where do I send an appeal email?
If a Loan Application is declined by Alberta Women Entrepreneurs and an applicant wishes to appeal the decision, the appeal must be made in writing by email to appeals@awebusiness.com.
What should I include in the email?
Appeals must include the following information:
Full Name
Contact Information
Reasoning for Appeal
The appeal will be reviewed with AWE’s third party ombudsman. Following the review and recommendation of the ombudsman, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs will provide a written response to the appeal.
Business Loans for Women in Alberta FAQs
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs offers repayable business loans for women entrepreneurs across Alberta. AWE loans are designed to support early-stage and growing businesses with clear terms, flexible repayment, and personalized guidance throughout the process
-
AWE business loans are available to women-owned businesses that are based in Alberta. To be eligible, entrepreneurs must have majority women ownership, a clear business plan, realistic financial projections, and a defined use for the loan that supports business growth or stability.
-
Eligible women entrepreneurs can access business loans of up to $150,000 through AWE, with additional financing options available through lending partners in some cases. Loan amounts are based on business needs, readiness, and overall financial capacity.
-
AWE business loans can be used to support a wide range of business needs, including equipment purchases, inventory, marketing, technology, leasehold improvements, working capital, and professional services. The goal is to provide funding that helps women entrepreneurs build, stabilize, or scale their businesses.
-
AWE loans are repayable financing designed to help women entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses. While grants do not require repayment, business loans provide flexible repayable funding paired with guidance and resources. AWE focuses on loans as a long-term tool for building financial strength and confidence.
-
Women entrepreneurs who apply for AWE loans receive more than funding. Support includes guidance from the AWE loans team, access to tools and templates, educational webinars, and community connections to programs that help strengthen business strategy and financial readiness.
-
Getting started begins with understanding whether financing is the right fit for your business. AWE offers resources, quizzes, and loan advisors to help women entrepreneurs prepare before submitting an eligibility assessment and moving through the application process with clarity and confidence.