Many groups, like women, Indigenous peoples and racialized people, are underrepresented in clean technology. We recognize this disparity and encourage Canadian organizations to commit to positive change. There are initiatives, programs and services to help underrepresented groups succeed in business. By providing this information, we aim to increase access to opportunities while increasing diversity in the clean tech sector.
The 50 – 30 Challenge: Your Diversity Advantage
The Government of Canada launched the 50-30 Challenge in 2020 to enhance diversity and promote inclusion on corporate boards and/or senior management. The challenge calls on organizations to work towards the goal of 50% gender parity, and 30% of under-represented groups in senior management and/or corporate boards, including racialized persons, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2 community.
The Standards Council of Canada has been working with the Government of Canada to deliver on standards deliverables that will help organizations understand including key terms and definitions for measuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace and provide guidance to enable participating organizations demonstrate their compliance and/or progress towards compliance.
Find out more about the 50 – 30 Diversity Challenge and how it can benefit your organization.
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program seeks to increase the number of businesses in Canada owned and operated by Indigenous people. The program has two categories: Access to Business Opportunities and Access to Capital.
Black Entrepreneurship Program
The Black Entrepreneurship Program is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations and financial institutions. It aims to help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed.
Business Women in International Trade
Canadian businesses that are owned, managed or controlled by women may benefit from representation from Business Women in International Trade, part of the Trade Commissioner Service.
Equal by 30 Campaign
The Equal by 30 Campaign works to advance the participation of women in the clean energy transition and close the gender gap. Campaign participants commit to advancing gender balance in their organizations through actions like adopting targets for increased representation on boards and in management positions.
Farm Credit Canada's Women Entrepreneur Program
The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program seeks to empower women in agriculture, agribusiness and food.
First Things First
A series of articles on a range of topics, including government funding, loans, tax credits, wage subsidies and more.
5 tips to start and scale your Black-led business in Canada.
Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur offers support to both Indigenous and Black Canadian entrepreneurs, aged 18 to 39, through financing, networking, mentorship and other resources.
Indigenous business development programs
Indigenous Services Canada provides a variety of resources geared toward Indigenous business development, including directories, funding programs, networking opportunities and more.
Indigenous Climate Funding
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Indigenous Climate Funding directory provides a list of federal programs available to support Indigenous climate action.
Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan
BDC's Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan provides flexible financing of up to $350,000 to start or grow your business.
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association
The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association is an Indigenous-led network of more than 50 Indigenous financial institutions. It provides financial support and resources to Indigenous-owned businesses.
Learn more about the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association.
Thrive Venture Fund and Lab for Women
This venture fund and lab from EDC supports and invests in women-led technology businesses. The platform ensures that women entrepreneurs have access to everything they need to thrive and have a lasting impact on the economy.
Find out more about the Thrive Venture Fund and Lab for Women.
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy aims to increase access of women-owned businesses to the financing, talent, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
Women in Technology Venture Fund
This venture capital fund from BDC invests in womenled technology companies to fuel the growth their businesses and create jobs for Canadians, while helping more women entrepreneurs become role models for the next generation of enterprising girls.
Women in Trade
Export Development Canada helps Canadian women-owned and -led businesses succeed on the global stage by providing the financial solutions and international insights they need to grow with confidence.