Women’s Innovation Initiative (WIN)
The Women’s Innovation Initiative (WIN) is dedicated to supporting women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout Southern Ontario. Our mission is to empower female entrepreneurs to scale their businesses across a variety of dynamic sectors, such as software-as-a-service (SaaS), digital services, health tech, clean tech, agri-food, and manufacturing.
WIN addresses key areas and offers a comprehensive range of support services such as:
Scaling of Women’s Companies- supports to scale-up women-led SMEs, including tailored one-on-one support to help women-led SMEs navigate the complexities of business growth and development; and enhanced skills development through BIZCamps & webinars providing increased access to advanced and sector-specific skills supports, training, and mentorship in areas of scaling, improving productivity, and creating a competitive advantage; increased understanding of technology adoption; and promoting sustainable practices and clean growth among SMEs.
Accessing new growth opportunities: providing planning, mentoring, knowledge and critical financial support to strengthen women’s companies as they grow and scale-up, including:
- BIZGrowth: access to non-repayable contributions of up to $2,500 (matched 1:1 by the SME for projects totaling $5,000) to existing SMEs in cutting-edge and critical sectors, such as SAAS, digital services, health, agri-food and manufacturing industries with a focus on clean/green tech, who are looking to expand into new markets and implement innovative growth plans.
- Prosper Circles: access to non-repayable funding of up to $1,500 (matched with a minimum 1:1 by SMEs through two-stage Prosper Peer Lending Circle loans provided by Alterna Savings and southern Ontario CFDCs). Prosper Peer Lending Circles are small groups of like-minded women who meet regularly to share their experiences and expand their individual networks of business contacts. Prosper Lending Circle members are involved in reviewing and approving loan applications from PARO members in their own circle.
Expanding Access to Export Markets: women-led SMEs are underrepresented amongst exporting enterprises. We work to expand supports and make linkages for women’s companies who seek to scale-up and increase their knowledge, networking and opportunities to export to global markets.
- Trade Mission Opportunities: Women-led SMEs receive pre-mission, on-site and post mission support, from senior PARO staff and contracted consultants, to build the export readiness and capacity of women-led companies seeking to export to new markets.
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