For women entrepreneurs, entering a foreign market is not always easy or straightforward. By participating in an Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada trade mission as a delegate, you will be supported with a dedicated bilateral program, receive pre-mission training, expand your professional network, and join a cohort of other Canadian women entrepreneurs also looking to grow their businesses through trade with Taiwan.
Now Accepting Applications
After reviewing the eligibility requirements below, click here to apply to become a delegate.
This application form is also available in French.
The deadline for submitting completed applications is midnight EST, January 29, 2021.
Incomplete or inaccurate submissions will not be considered.
Benefits:
Delegates of this trade mission will receive a variety of valuable supports from APF Canada, including:
- B2B Matching with Taiwan companies
- Public exposure/presentation of your company
- An online exhibition booth during the conference
- Networking opportunities
- Access to a proprietary, online, map-based market intelligence tool, developed in-house
Costs:
There is no fee to participate as a delegate. This program is generously funded by the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. There are approximately 20 delegates per mission.
Due to the competitive selection process, not all eligible applications can be accepted.
Commitments:
Successful applicants will be required to participate in all components of the mission including:
- Pre-Mission training meeting(s) – mid to late February
- All B2B meetings – throughout March*
- The public conference program – tentatively March 1 & 2*
- The virtual exhibition booth – during the conference
*Due to the time difference between Taiwan and Canada, events with Taiwanese participation will be scheduled in the afternoon or evening in Canada, typically around 6-9 p.m. EST.
Selection Criteria:
Eligible applicants must be:
• A for-profit organization such as:
- An individual operating a business
- Partnerships
- Social enterprises
- Incorporated companies, corporations or co-operatives, and
- An Indigenous organization
• A women-owned and/or women-led business**
• A small to medium enterprise (SME) – (less than 500 employees), and
• A business in operation for a minimum of two years
Ineligible applicants:
• Not-for-profit organizations, and
• Government or municipal entities
Businesses must be export-ready and have demonstrated potential to succeed in Asian markets. Companies will have:
- A commercialized product or service or one close to being commercialized
- Conducted research on foreign markets and opportunities, especially preparatory work concerning the destination market
- Allocated resources (human, material, time and financial) towards internationalization
- A defined business model and financial forecasts (1-2 years) for discussions with potential third-party investors
**Inclusive of those who self-identify as women.
“Women-owned” is defined as an enterprise where one or more women own and have owned the majority of the company (more than 50%) for at least two years.
“Women led” is defined as an enterprise with at least one woman founder, co-founder or in an executive position who, for at least two years, has ownership in the company and has been in a position to control and manage the operation and daily business of the entity and plays an active role in strategic decision making. “Active role in strategic decision making” means the said woman is involved in decision making relating to the establishment of priorities, objective and goals for and the overall operations of the business.
Priority will be given to entrepreneurs who:
- Have generated revenues (sales, capital investment, etc.) exceeding C$100,000 for the past three years
- Have made efforts to localize their product or service for an international market (not necessarily in Asia)
- Have developed proprietary technology with the potential for long-term competitiveness
- Are defining its primary product/market fit and establishing reasonable pricing models with a sales strategy/pipeline.
For inquiries, please contact:
A.W. Lee, PhD
Program Manager
Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for
Women Entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Toronto
205-375 University Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2J5
Email: a.w.lee@asiapacific.ca
