In 2025, the Lise Watier Foundation had the privilege of receiving support from the City of Montreal to strengthen access to entrepreneurship for women from ethnocultural communities. With this grant awarded under the “Entreprendre Ensemble” project, the Lise Watier Foundation achieved a major milestone in 2025. It strengthened its impact among women from ethnocultural communities through the Let’s Start Up Pathway, offering tailored support to facilitate their integration and foster their professional or entrepreneurial success.”
Results that speak for themselves:
- The proportion of women from ethnocultural communities supported at our Montreal service point jumped from 55% to 74%;
- 89 women were recruited and individually supported, surpassing the initial target of 40, with 6 training cohorts offered and more than 300 hours of individualized support;
- 22 women received assistance in securing financing;
- 17 new partners joined our network, fostering connections and collaboration.
Concrete actions:
- A focus group with participants from ethnocultural communities helped analyze specific needs and adapt training accordingly;
- One-on-one or small group meetings, co-development groups, and individualized coaching offered to all participants from ethnocultural communities in Montreal to break isolation and help advance their projects;
- A new entrepreneurial coaching format and educational tools were developed, with participants reporting complete satisfaction with the support received;
- Several events, including a virtual panel and fairs, were organized to promote networking and participation among ethnocultural women entrepreneurs;
- Professional development for our entrepreneurship coaches through their participation in La Certif’, a professional certification offered by HEC Montréal, aimed at enhancing their skills, gaining perspective on their practices, discussing the paradoxes of the profession, and strengthening networking within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A lasting impact
This partnership with the City of Montreal has been a true catalyst for the Foundation, advancing our mission of economic and social inclusion. It not only strengthened the cohesion and expertise of our team but also opened the door to new strategic collaborations within the ecosystem. With this initiative, supported entrepreneurs have gained access to major development opportunities. Beyond tangible results, this experience marked a decisive step toward expanding access to entrepreneurship for women from ethnocultural communities.
Acknowledgments
The Lise Watier Foundation wishes to express its deep gratitude to the City of Montreal for its financial support and commitment to women’s entrepreneurship. Together, we are helping build a more inclusive and innovative metropolis.
