PARO is the official representative/Loan Fund Partner for Ontario for the WEOC Women Entrepreneur’s Loan Fund, which supports women and non-binary entrepreneurs from launch to scaling their businesses. The maximum amount per loan is up to $50,000.
As the Loan Fund Partner for Ontario, PARO will work with each Loan applicant through the PAROProsper BIZCAMP, which includes: four (4) compulsory webinars and one-on-one work with a PARO Business Counsellor or Business Growth Advisor to develop a business plan describing the viability and feasibility of the applicant’s business. The business plan, which includes cash flow forecasts for a minimum of two years, is a requirement for applying to the Loan Fund.
The completion of the WEOC Application for the Women’s Loan Fund will be required along with their business plan, and the Assessment and Recommendation of their PARO Counsellor. The PAROProsper BIZCAMP will guide applicants through this process.
Are you an entrepreneur in the food and beverage space (“foodpreneur”)? Are you ready to take your food manufacturing company and brand to the next level?
PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise in partnership with the Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA), FOODPRENEUR BIZCamp is designed to provide entrepreneurs in the Commercial Packaged Goods (CPG) industry with a comprehensive understanding of the foodpreneur journey from ideation to scale-up, to exporting your product. Through a series of webinars, in-class instruction and hands-on activities, participants will receive the tools, insights and information they need to scale up their business, build traction and establish a dynamic, safe, food or drink product on-shelf.
The FOODPRENEUR BIZCamp will take place over the course of twelve (12) weeks, approximately four (4) hours per week. PARO, together with The Small Scale Food Processing Association (SSFPA) will facilitate the weekly sessions. Sessions will include invited industry professionals and entrepreneurs with knowledge and experience in the CPG space.
Who should Apply?
A food or beverage manufacturer or brand that
This is NOT a BIZ camp for entrepreneurs who:
"The best use of my time this summer, I learnt more in this intensive program from the most inspirational ladies than I have in any other business series. Having women mentors and peers made all the difference. It wasn't until the PAROJetsetter BIZCamp that I realized all the other courses I had taken had male role models and with very few female-led and highly successful mentors female owners to look up to. This course gave me the confidence to take the next steps into the small business world. Thank you PARO!"
Stay tuned for more future BIZCamps.
A not-for-profit social enterprise, we collaborate to empower women, strengthen small business, and promote community economic development across Ontario.