WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP KNOWLEDGE HUB -
ALBERTA HUB
A one-stop source of knowledge, data and best practices for
women entrepreneurs and the Alberta ecosystem that supports them
Advancing gender equality and women's participation in the economy, Canada could add up to $150 billion in GDP.
About Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
The full and equal participation of women in the economy is not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do. Studies show that by advancing gender equality and women's participation in the economy, Canada could add up to $150 billion in GDP. Only 18% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are owned by women, and the Government of Canada is working to change that.
In 2018, the Government of Canada launched the first ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), representing nearly $7 billion in investments and commitments. The WES aims to increase women-owned businesses' access to the financing, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
As part of the WES, The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) was created. The Hub is a one-stop source of knowledge, data and best practices for women entrepreneurs. The national hub, led by The Diversity Institute in the Ted Rogers School of Business at Toronto Metropolitan University, has brought together 10 regional hubs, over 300 organizations and thousands of women entrepreneurs to create a more inclusive and supportive environment to grow women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.
The Hub's activities include:
collecting, analyzing and disseminating information, and/or advancing research on women's entrepreneurship;
supporting and sharing best practices and knowledge among women business support organizations;
reporting on the progress of women entrepreneurs in Canada, including a review of the Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystem's supports for women.
Learn about Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub here
THE WEKH AB HUB
REGIONAL EXPERTISE TO
MEET REGIONAL NEEDS
The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub spreads its expertise from coast to coast, enabling service providers, academics, government and industry to enhance their support for women entrepreneurs. The Alberta Hub works alongside 10 regional hubs to coordinate activities in different regions and bring our unique area of expertise and specialization to WEKH.
The Alberta Hub's activities include:
showcasing Alberta’s ecosystem at a national level;
supporting national HUB mandate and goals;
collecting, analyzing and disseminating information, and/or advancing research on women's entrepreneurship in Alberta;
supporting and sharing best practices and knowledge among women business support organizations in Alberta;
reporting on the progress of women entrepreneurs in Alberta, including a review of the Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystem's supports for women.
OUR RESEARCH
The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub is a one-stop source of knowledge, data and best practices for women entrepreneurs. Whether you’re in government, industry or working to advance women’s entrepreneurship in other ways, WEKH provides insight to help you accelerate your efforts.
Of all businesses that are started today are started by women
Of all businesses are majority owned by women in Canada - with more than 99% of these small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
Women in Canada who were self-employed in 2022
Businesses in Canada that are owned by people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ contributing more than $22 billion in economic activity
State of Women’s Entrepreneurship
in Canada 2025
Women entrepreneurs don’t just contribute to Canada’s economy, they anchor it, as majority owners of 20% of all businesses across the country and partners in 17%. Women-owned businesses account for more than 1 million jobs and $100 billion per year in GDP. The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) advocates for evidence-based strategies to help ensure women entrepreneurs drive growth, innovation and sustainability.
Each year, WEKH publishes the State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada, the only annual report synthesizing new research on women entrepreneurship in Canada to inform policy and practice. It tackles barriers, enablers and progress, and spans sectors and regions—always with an intersectional lens.
To read the complete report, click here
Search WEKH’s extensive library of research on women’s entrepreneurship
View other research shaping women’s entrepreneurship in Canada
EVENTS DIRECTORY
WEKH EVENTS CALENDAR
The State of Women's Entrepreneurship 2025.
What's it all mean for Alberta?
Join us for an insightful and action-focused conversation with Dr. Wendy Cukier, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH).
In this special event, Dr. Cukier will unpack findings from WEKH’s State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada report, the go-to resource for the most complete picture of research on women’s entrepreneurship in Canada. Dr. Cukier will also highlight the persistent barriers women entrepreneurs face, as well as the opportunities shaping the future of inclusive innovation across the country.
Following Dr. Cukier's presentation, Shannon Pestun, WEKH's Senior Advisor, will host a fireside chat with Dr. Cukier to discuss ways we can strengthen Alberta's ecosystem, followed by a Q&A session.
Together, we’ll explore what these national insights mean for Alberta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the changes, partnerships and investments needed to drive real progress. Whether you’re a policymaker, funder or ecosystem leader, this session will offer practical recommendations and a roadmap for strengthening support for women-led businesses in our province.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this important dialogue and help shape a more inclusive economic future for Alberta.
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/49IsQ0A
FEATURED UPCOMING
WEKH is a proud supporter of WTAL Canada
Black history month this year could not be more significant. This year’s gathering marks two extraordinary milestones: 100 years of Black History celebrations globally and 30 years of BHM in Canada; a moment that invites both reflection and resolve.
For this historic year, we present the theme Black Is Limitless—not as aspiration, but as declaration. History itself bears witness. Despite centuries of exclusion, systemic disadvantage, and structural constraint, Black communities have continually reshaped every society they inhabit. Across science, medicine, education, politics, business, the arts, culture, and social movements, Black excellence has expanded the boundaries of possibility—often in spaces never designed to accommodate it.
Few voices are better suited than those we have convened to reflect on the convergence of legacy and the present—offering insights that are visionary yet grounded, intergenerational yet urgent, instructive yet deeply human.
This is more than a celebration.
It is a living conversation with history—led by the woman who helped shape it.
Reserve your seat here: https://lnkd.in/gv3ePRFd
WEKH is a proud supporter of the Advancing women in agriculture and food conference
Invest in yourself and network with others passionate about agriculture.
If you are a student, farmer, entrepreneur in ag and food, member of a grower association, or a representative of corporate agri-business – celebrate with us.
To date over 9000 women and men from across Canada have attended AWC and have been inspired by leaders in and outside of the industry.
Join us to hear role models tell their story – their challenges, obstacles, successes and lessons learned and more:
Hone your soft skills in leadership and career building. Get empowered.
Network and build connections with women from across the country and sector.
Share ideas, and different perspectives.
Speak with like-minded individuals.
Practice skills in multiple workshops.
Alberta Ecosystem
WEKH works collaboratively with our ecosystem to create relationships within the entrepreneurship ecosystem that support women in Alberta. As Canada’s only nationally recognized women entrepreneurship hub, WEKH’s convening power stretches across Canada, across diverse groups, and across an ecosystem of partners. Key stakeholders include: government, policy makers, academics, industry, women’s business support organizations and women entrepreneurs
Through our mandate, we’re advancing women’s entrepreneurship in Alberta and across the country by identifying gaps and opportunities and making practical evidence-based recommendations that impact women’s access to the financing, talent, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
LEVERAGE OUR EXPERTISE
RESEARCH
Do you have specific research you want WEKH AB to conduct on behalf of your organization? Our research initiatives bring you new insights to your efforts.
WE AMPLIFY YOUR WORK
Do you have a message that you'd like to get to Canada's Women Entrepreneurship ecosystem or even your own team? We can help you host webinars, events and more.
SPEAKING
Invite WEKH to speak at your next event and share information on women’s entrepreneurship
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Women entrepreneurs across Alberta are changing the entrepreneurial landscape in many ways and we’re happy to celebrate and showcase their outstanding business achievements and meaningful contributions to the Alberta economy. From WEKH’s national See it Be it databse to local, regional and national awards there’s many ways we can celebrate and amplify women-owned businesses and the women who brought them to life.
WEKH: SEE IT BE IT
WEKH is proud to present the See it. Be it. Database. A resource featuring 1000+ profiles of successful women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, sectors, experiences and regions across Canada.
Do you know an award-winning, successful woman entrepreneur who should be included in our database?
Please submit them for consideration. Nominate an entrepreneur
Meet the Alberta women entrepreneurs in the See it Be it program.
ALBERTA AWARDS PROGRAMS
NATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAMS
Nominate a woman entrepreneur and put her in the national spotlight!
