Grants funding and non-dilutive funding resources are always the best. You don’t lose equity and you can use that funding to scale up. Navigating these funding opportunities while running a business is chaotic. Did I miss the deadline? Is this non-dilutive? You get it! We get it. You have to focus on your customers!
This is why we post these on our free weekly startup newsletter. Additionally, we can include startup competitions and editorial calendar to bring more exposure to women-led companies. Check out some of our previous coverage including Top Women Founders to Watch 2025 edition.
In this post, we cover some of the up coming funding for women entrepreneurs. From global initiatives to region-specific grants, these programs support women entrepreneurs with capital and visibility. Whether you’re launching a startup, growing a small business, or scaling globally, here are the top funding resources for women entrepreneurs in 2026.
1. Amber Grant for Women
Location: Canada & USA
Funding: $10,000 grant
Website: ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-amber-grant/
The Amber Grant is one of the most accessible and well-known grant programs for women entrepreneurs. Awarded monthly, it offers $10,000 to women-led businesses across North America, with additional year-end funding opportunities. Perfect for early-stage founders seeking straightforward, supportive funding.
2. Cartier Women’s Initiative
Location: Global
Funding: Up to $100,000
Website: cartierwomensinitiative.com
One of the most prestigious programs globally, the Cartier Women’s Initiative provides funding, mentorship, and visibility to mission-driven female founders. With prizes reaching $100,000, it supports entrepreneurs tackling social and environmental challenges on a global scale.
3. Women Who Tech
Location: Global
Funding: Equity-free grants up to $50,000
Website: womenwhotech.com
Women Who Tech offers innovation grants to women-led tech startups around the world. The program provides equity-free capital and direct access to a growing network of investors, founders, and innovators committed to closing the gender funding gap.
4. Lift Angels Grant Challenge
Location: Asia-specific
Funding: Up to $20,000 (matched)
Website: https://www.lifther.liftwomen.com/
This program accelerates women-led ventures across Asia, providing matched funding of up to $20,000 along with mentorship and ecosystem support. It’s an ideal opportunity for women founders seeking to scale within the Asian market.
5. Bayer Women Empowerment Awards
Location: Southeast Asia
Funding: Up to $10,000
Website: https://bayerfoundation-wea.com/
The Bayer Women Empowerment Awards recognize women innovators working in areas like health, agriculture, and community upliftment. With funding up to $10,000, the program helps early-stage founders bring impactful ideas to life.
6. Visa She’s Next
Location: Canada
Funding: Approx. $10,000 CAD
Website: run in partnership with YSpace and others
Visa’s She’s Next program continues to support women-owned Canadian small businesses through grants of around $10,000 CAD. Beyond funding, the program provides mentorship, training, and community support, delivered in partnership with organizations like York University’s YSpace. It’s a strong fit for women founders looking for both capital and advisory support to accelerate growth.
You can sign up for waiting list here.
7. Starter Company Plus
Location: Ontario
Funding: $5,000 per project as a non-repayable micro-grant
Starter Company Plus is while it’s not a women-specific program, it can be used to quality for some non-dilutive funding. You can apply Apply for Starter Company Plus through your local Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) in the Ontario municipality where your business is physically located.
Some locations that provide this opportunity include IDEA Mississauga and others.
8. Odlum Brown Forum Pitch
Location: Canada
Funding: $5,000 per project as a non-repayable micro-grant
Website: https://www.theforumpitch.ca/
Odlum Brown is a national pitch program where three finalists receive prize packages (~C$30k value) and one winner earns an additional C$20,000 cash award. For a complete guide on Startup Competitions 2026 check out our other page.
9. i.d.e.a. Fund
Location: Ontario
Funding: up to $20,000-$30,000 in matching seed funding
Website: https://www.idea-fund.ca/
The i.d.e.a. Fund (Inclusion, Diversity, Environment, Acceleration) is a program supporting early-stage businesses and SMEs in Southern Ontario to drive sustainable, circular economy growth through non-repayable seed funding and expert mentorship. Selected companies receive up to $20,000-$30,000 in matching seed funding, plus 30-40 hours of targeted business support from leaders, valued at up to $6,000, focusing on growth strategies like talent attraction, product development, and market diversification
Do you know any other opportunities coming up? Get in touch with us! If you enjoyed this post, you will love our community.
