Twenty women-led businesses from across Canada have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Visa Grant, a national initiative supporting women entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and business development resources.
Delivered in partnership with Visa and YSpace at York University, the program provides each recipient with a $10,000 grant, contributing to a total of $200,000 awarded this year. In addition to funding, founders will gain access to an exclusive mentorship program designed to help them scale their ventures, strengthen their leadership skills, and accelerate growth.
The 2026 cohort represents a diverse range of industries, including artificial intelligence, health technology, education, advanced manufacturing, mining, food innovation, and social impact. From AI-powered learning platforms and maternal health technologies to sustainable food brands and climate-focused solutions, the selected companies showcase the breadth of innovation being built by women entrepreneurs across Canada.
As access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges facing early-stage founders, initiatives like the Visa Grant play an important role in helping entrepreneurs access both funding and the networks needed to grow. The program aims to equip recipients with the resources, connections, and guidance necessary to take their businesses to the next stage of development.
1. Clarity Case
Helps women navigate high-conflict separations by documenting incidents, organizing communications, and generating court-ready documentation.
2. Compassion in Caregiving
A mental health network providing therapy, educational resources, and policy advocacy for unpaid caregivers across Canada.
3. Coraltalk
A voice-native AI platform enabling scalable oral exams, role-play assessments, and tutoring experiences designed to measure genuine understanding.
4. CouchHaus
Designs modular, made-to-measure couches built for longevity while helping reduce furniture waste.
5. Ellustros
Uses AI-powered ergonomic intelligence to scan the body and automatically adjust workspaces for improved posture and comfort.
6. Estrelar
Operates accessible DJ studios powered by automation and community-driven experiences for emerging creators.
7. Flutter Care
Developing a non-invasive wearable that remotely monitors pregnancies and detects early signs of fetal distress.
8. Formyoule Inc.
Helps beauty entrepreneurs formulate, manufacture, and secure approvals for skincare, haircare, and wellness products.
9. Fourwords Solutions
Advances trauma-informed and survivor-centered approaches to sexual assault response and evidence preservation.
10. Henri
Produces clean-label, allergen-free snacks with high protein and fiber and no added sugar.
11. Lazy Daisy Foods
A women-led frozen breakfast brand focused on scaling café-quality food products nationally.
12. Lil Chef Institute
Offers hands-on cooking classes that help children build culinary skills, confidence, and independence.
13. The Magpie
A neighbourhood café, baking school, and incubator kitchen supporting women-owned food businesses.
14. Moon Trades
Develops an AI-powered rover platform that helps mining companies discover critical minerals faster and more efficiently.
15. NovaGlide
Provides an alternative conveyor support system designed to reduce maintenance requirements and downtime.
16. Nurse Collective Coaching
Helps internationally educated nurses enter the Canadian workforce through mentorship and exam preparation.
17. Oomé
Produces ready-to-eat tofu infused with clean ingredients and smoked using locally sourced cherry wood.
18. Permalution
Develops zero-energy water harvesting systems that capture fog and cloud water for industrial, mining, and agricultural applications.
19. Simple Mondays
An AI-powered planning platform built for educators to simplify lesson planning and reduce tool overload.
20. Stush Patties
A food brand focused on delivering clean, convenient products made with simple ingredients and minimal processing.
As women entrepreneurs continue to drive innovation across Canada’s startup ecosystem, the 2026 Visa Grant recipients showcase the breadth of talent emerging from sectors ranging from healthtech and AI to food innovation and climate technology. Through funding and mentorship, the program aims to help these founders accelerate growth and create lasting impact in their respective industries.