Building a business takes determination, especially for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs who may face additional barriers along the way. Thankfully, there are organizations in Alberta offering inclusive support — from mentorship and funding to workshops and training — to help you move forward with confidence at every stage of your business journey.
Business Advisory & Mentorship
We are a non-profit organization that helps Alberta’s small businesses & entrepreneurs start & thrive.
Offers advocacy, mentorship programs, and business resources to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs building inclusive and thriving businesses in Alberta.
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)
Provides mentorship, training programs, and funding to women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs, including 2SLGBTQI+ women, across Alberta.
A non-profit initiative that prepares women and gender-diverse professionals for board service, connecting them with board opportunities across sectors.
Calgary Queer Arts Society (CQAS)
A non-profit organization that uses film, performance, and visual art to share queer stories and build community. They host the Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival, community workshops, and programs that support queer artists and creatives. For 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs in the arts and cultural sector, CQAS provides visibility, networking, and opportunities to showcase and monetize creative work.
Canada’s 25LGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
National hub offering certification, mentorship, supplier diversity opportunities, and funding programs to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs across Canada.
Offers a dynamic national platform empowering 2SLGBTQIA+ students and early-career professionals through community building, mentorship programs, leadership development, and events.
QueerTech – QT Founders Catalyst Program
A federally‑funded, 12-week accelerator for early‑stage 2SLGBTQIA+ tech entrepreneurs offering funding access, expert mentorship, tailored sessions, and pitch opportunities to help scale ventures across Canada.
Financial Support & Funding
Offers early-stage funding, mentorship, and accelerator support for underrepresented founders—including LGBTQ+, women, and BIPOC entrepreneurs—committed to reshaping access to venture capital.
BDC – Growth Financing for Entrepreneurs
Canada’s development bank offering loans, advisory services, and funding for growth-oriented businesses, with increasing focus on equity-deserving entrepreneurs.
CGLCC & The Government of Canada – 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program
A national program offering funding, mentorship, and business development support to help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.
Offers a FREE, self-paced online program dedicated to helping women and non-binary business owners secure more money from investors.
Futurpreneur – Inclusive Startup Financing
Provides up to $75,000 in startup loans plus mentorship and resources for young entrepreneurs, including 2SLGBTQ+ founders aged 18–39.
Scotiabank
Supports 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through supplier diversity opportunities, inclusive policies, and partnerships that help build visibility and access to business networks.
TD – 2SLGBTQ+ Business Banking
Offers inclusive banking services, dedicated advisors, and funding navigation tools tailored to support 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs at every stage of business growth.
Education, Research & Policy Advocacy
Pride Centre (Edmonton) and Centre for Sexuality (Calgary)
While not exclusively business-focused, they often provide professional networking, referrals, and space for queer entrepreneurs to connect and promote their services.
Canada Business Benefits Finder
Find funding, grants, loans, and other financial support for your business.
Pride at Work Canada – Inclusion Training & Advocacy
Delivers LGBTQ2+ workplace education, national research, and policy advocacy to foster inclusive business environments and support the professional success of 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians.
Start Up Canada – Curated 2SLGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurship Resource Guide
Offers a comprehensive curated resource guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, featuring tools, templates, videos, funding directories, mentorship connections, and inclusive business supports—developed in partnership with CGLCC, Egale Canada, Futurpreneur, TransFocus Consulting, and presented by Wealthy Unicorn.
A major national research and advocacy hub fostering inclusive entrepreneurship; they produce high-impact studies (e.g. Access and Equity for 2SLGBTQ+ Businesses in Canada), run Knowledge Hub projects like WEKH, IIE‑Net, and Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub, and inform policy to support equity-deserving entrepreneurs.
Women and Gender Equality Canada – Canada.ca
A federal department that advances gender equality in Canada through funding, research, and policy development—supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and initiatives that build capacity, improve inclusion, and inform equitable public policy.
Webinar Recording
Beyond the Rainbow: Real Talk on 2SLGBTQI+ Business in Alberta
If you missed our recent webinar, Beyond the Rainbow: Real Talk on 2SLGBTQI+ Business in Alberta, you can watch the full recording here:
Led by Elli McDine, Executive Director of the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, this session explores how small businesses in Alberta can champion inclusion, practice active allyship, and better support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs.
Know an organization that should be featured here? Contact us at marketing@businesslink.ca to suggest additions to this resource hub.
This page was created in partnership with the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber