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Innovative Financing for Women Entrepreneurs

Innovative Financing for Women Entrepreneurs. Presentation by: Simone Desjardins, Special Advisor to the President Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) May, 2004. Outline of presentation. Overview of BDC Mission and mandate Services Women Entrepreneur Market Facts

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Innovative Financing for Women Entrepreneurs

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  1. Innovative FinancingforWomen Entrepreneurs Presentation by: Simone Desjardins, Special Advisor to the President Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) May, 2004

  2. Outline of presentation • Overview of BDC • Mission and mandate • Services • Women Entrepreneur Market • Facts • BDC and Women Entrepreneurs • Historical perspective • BDC financing activity • Access to Venture Capital • Current activities • Going forward – future strategies

  3. BDC – An Overview • Mission • BDC’s mission is to help create and develop Canadian small and medium-sized business through timely and relevant financial and consulting services • Nationwide network • Over 80 branches and 1,200 employees • One Virtual branch • $8 billion in assets – over 22,000 clients • Record $2.1 billion in authorizations fiscal year 2003

  4. BDC Services • Financial Assistance to Support • Start-upsDevelopmentGrowth / ExpansionMaturity • Consulting Support • Quality • Growth • Human Resources

  5. Facts on Women Entrepreneurs • Women hold 50% or more ownership of more than one-third of all Canadian SMEs • Women predominate in service industries and are increasing their presence in other sectors • e.g., manufacturing, construction and primary sectors • A larger proportion of women-owned businesses are younger and smaller • Fewer women-led businesses export compared to men (8% versus 11%) Industry Canada, SME Financing in Canada, 2002

  6. What women entrepreneurs want • Recent research provides some insights of what women entrepreneurs want • A long-term relationship with their banker • Value-added opportunities to network for information, resources and potential clients • Support in understanding and discovering growth opportunities • To grow their business beyond Canada’s border • To be treated equally and not differently than men Generations Research Inc., Exploratory Research into Opportunities within the Women’s Market, 2001

  7. BDC and women entrepreneurs - an historical perspective • BDC has been a pioneer in developing initiatives to support women entrepreneurs for over a decade • Developed expertise through focus groups, surveys, in-depth research, training and mentoring programs • In 1990, the Bank pioneered the first comprehensive profile of women-owned businesses • In 1992, spearheaded training and mentoring programs specifically designed to encourage women to start and grow businesses [the successful Step-Up, Step-In programs] • BDC has evolved with the market and is now focussing on growth & export by promoting and supporting global summits and conferences

  8. BDC and women entrepreneurs *Defined as more than 50% female ownership

  9. Current Initiatives • Internal Committees in Branches – these committees champion business issues, are involved in local women’s organizations and participate in women oriented events • Discussion Workshops – Workshops and networking events on financial, export and growth planning are organized across the country. • Growth & Export Forums – BDC sponsored the launch of the first Canadian Chapter of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) in May 2001. Since then, a second chapter was established in the fall of 2002. WPO members meet monthly to discuss a variety of business growth issues and participate in international conferences to develop export opportunities and business alliances abroad • Designated Web Section – Launch of a Web section providing value-added information on business management and promoting successful women entrepreneurs as role models

  10. Access to Venture Capital • Opportunity for women entrepreneurs • Stimulate a VC awareness • Facilitate investment forums for women entrepreneurs • Access to appropriate financing mechanisms • 6% of BDC’s investment companies are lead by women (Presidents & CEOs) • Women hold more than one-third (35%) of the management team positions • Particularly relevant in life sciences sector

  11. $25 Million Fund • In October 2003, BDC launched a new $25 million fund targeted to women entrepreneurs • Target well-managed, established, fast growing businesses • This fund will serve to leverage additional private equity

  12. Going forward . . . • BDC’s other future strategies for women entrepreneurs • Continue to support start-ups with new service offering and as part of the Bank’s overall strategy • Organize additional “Learning and Networking Forums” on growth, export and access to VC

  13. BDC.ca

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