BDC and WPO join forces to better support the growth of Canadian women entrepreneurs

MONTREAL, October 30, 2023 - BDC, Canada's bank for entrepreneurs, announced today a new partnership with the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), a global network of high-caliber women business owners and presidents who share a passion for growing their successful companies.

This partnership makes BDC a Canadian regional sponsor of WPO and provides WPO members with value-added service and privileged access to the Bank's full range of consulting services in a variety of areas, including operational efficiency, business strategy, leadership and management, sales and marketing, human resources, financial management, e-commerce, and digital technologies.

"There's no need for women presidents to feel alone at the top," adds Isabelle Hudon, President, and CEO of BDC. "Our association with WPO creates a vibrant community, where women entrepreneurs can find among themselves the inspiration and momentum that will take them even further. After all, we are the connections we forge with each other that help each of us succeed," she concludes.

"With BDC, we're uniting to support Canadian women entrepreneurs, providing vital resources and easier access to BDC's Advisory Services,” said Camille Burns, CEO of Women Presidents Organization (WPO). “Together, we're committed to building a stronger community of successful women business leaders.”

WPO chapters bring together women entrepreneurs from diverse, non-competitive sectors in peer-advisory learning groups where they can share their experiences in complete confidentiality. These collaborative groups give women the perspective they need to refine their strategies and take their businesses to the next level. Activities focus on collaborative problem-solving and building trust. The participants are all committed to building successful businesses and believe they can do it better together.

The agreement is one more step BDC is taking to better support growing women business leaders, addressing needs that financing alone cannot meet. Together, WPO and BDC, in collaboration with other ecosystem partners, will do more to help these women leaders realize their ambitions. It's also an opportunity for BDC to deepen its ties with women entrepreneurs and extend its reach to deepen its impact.

Working in partnership to provide more support to more business owners is the cornerstone of BDC's renewed strategy. The Bank is committed to empowering more diverse business owners, including women entrepreneurs, to build a better future.

About WPO 

The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a non-profit membership organization where dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world meet monthly to tap into collective insight with exclusive access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas, and executive education. WPO members have guided their business to generate at least $2 million USD in gross annual sales (or $1 million USD for a service-based business). Each WPO chapter serves as a professionally facilitated peer advisory group for members where they can harness the momentum of their successes and cultivate new strategies that will take them even farther. Visit women-presidents.com to learn more. 

About BDC 

As Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs, BDC is a partner of choice for all entrepreneurs looking to access the financing and advice they need to build their businesses and tackle the big challenges of our time. Our investment arm, BDC Capital, offers a wide range of risk capital solutions to help grow the country’s most innovative firms. We are one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. For more information on BDC’s products and services and to consult free tools, templates and articles, visit bdc.ca or join BDC on social media. 

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