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BMO announces 2025 Celebrating Women Grant Program recipients to support Canadian Women-Owned Businesses 

November 4, 2025 | BMO Gives & Sponsorships, Talent and inclusion

BMO, in collaboration with Deloitte Canada, announced the 2025 recipients of its Celebrating Women Grant Program – an initiative that empowers small business owners and entrepreneurs to make real financial progress in their communities. For the fifth time, BMO awarded $100,000 in grants to ten Canadian ventures. 

“Women-owned businesses continue to drive change across every sector, and BMO is committed to helping power their progress. This year’s recipients exemplify innovation, resilience and community impact. We’re proud to champion their momentum and help remove barriers to growth.” 

– Sharon Haward-Laird
Group Head, Canadian Commercial Banking and North American Integrated Solutions, BMO, and Executive Sponsor of BMO for Women

“Deloitte is proud to support the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program and the remarkable women-led businesses in Canada and the U.S. who are driving innovation, productivity, and economic growth. Access to resources and support is vital for entrepreneurship, and this program provides women-owned businesses with the capital they need to scale their ventures and make a lasting impact in their communities. I am truly inspired by the exceptional caliber of women entrepreneurs recognized this year. Congratulations to each participant and finalist on your outstanding achievements.”   

– Emmy Babalola
Partner, Deloitte.

Congratulations to the 2025 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program Canadian recipients:

  • Ameneh Madjd, D2Type, British Columbia 
  • Nadine Woods, Mayana, Ontario

Each grant recipient will be awarded $10,000, access to a BMO business advisor, and receive an invitation to attend the 2025 BMO Celebrating Women Grant summit in Toronto, connecting them with BMO leaders, strategic partners and tailored resources to support their next stage of growth. 

Inspired by BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, and the bank’s commitment to support women-owned businesses, the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program was created in 2020.  

BMO has a longstanding commitment to breaking down barriers to advance women’s empowerment, advocate for their growth, and foster inclusivity by meeting their unique needs. Notable initiatives include: 

  • A commitment to increase the number of women-owned businesses supported across the bank’s Canadian footprint.  
  • Established customer programs including BMO for Women, which advance gender parity for the bank’s clients by helping business owners grow and feel confident about their finances and financial futures. 
  • A partnership with 1871, which has led to the development of the WMNfintech program. As North America’s largest nonprofit fintech accelerator for women entrepreneurs, WMNfintech is a catalyst for change, helping founders drive innovation and make a tangible impact in financial services. 
  • Proudly supporting The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, the largest English-language literary award in the world for women and non-binary writers. The award celebrates creativity and excellence in fiction in Canada and the United States, while aiming to help address inequalities in literary reviewing, reading and prize culture. 

To learn more about the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, visit bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using #BMOforWomen.

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