Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba (WECM)

The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba (MWEC) helps self-identifying women, Two-Spirit and non-binary entrepreneurs in Manitoba start and build businesses, build skills, and source information. They work with women on an individual basis throughout the province to answer their questions and help them determine the steps to make their businesses successful. Their three core services are: business advising, training and financing. Additionally, the Centre has developed innovative programs to assist women at all business stages. They deliver a variety of events, networking and mentorship opportunities, seminars, and one-to-one meetings with business advisors to help women develop their business knowledge and expand their networks. Their gender specific programs are crafted with women's learning and communications styles. Loans for start-up, expansion and the purchase of an existing business are also available. Female/male partnerships are encouraged to apply, provided the woman owns at least 50% of the business and is actively involved in its operation and management. These services are provided thanks to the support of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), a federal government department committed to helping Western Canadian small and medium-sized businesses grow, diversify and create jobs. MWEC is part of an overall economic development effort in western Canada known as the Women's Enterprise Initiative; each of the four western regions has an autonomous organization that works to help and support women's impact on the economy.