Community Futures Middlesex continues to be recognized as a strong supporter of female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses within Middlesex County (outside the City of London). In fact, more than 60% of our existing loan clients are businesses that are majority owned or operated by women.
This is why we are excited to announce a new relationship that we have established with the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise (PARO). PARO has been funded by the Federal Economic Development Organization of Southern Ontario (Fed Dev Ontario) to ensure that women and women-led businesses are provided with access to the resources and support needed to succeed.
About the Initiative
The Middlesex Women Entrepreneur Initiative (MWEI) will connect participants to the microfinancing and resources of the PARO Peer Lending Circles Program. PARO Peer Lending Circles are small groups of like-minded women who meet regularly to share their experiences, offer advice to each other and expand their individual networks of contacts. The Circles are small groups of 4-7 women, aged over 18, and who either run their own business, want to start one, or who believe that women can help women.
The benefits for individuals choosing to participate in PARO Peer Lending Circles, include but are not limited to, business advice, mentoring, coaching and training, and loans ranging from $1000 to $5000 that include a non-repayable grant component of $500 to $1000 (if criteria are met). PARO Peer Lending Circle members receive training to make these loan decisions and to help participants set and achieve goals for the start up or growth of their business.
CF Middlesex is providing PARO with the loan funds and offering its support for delivery of the Peer Lending Circle Program within Middlesex County (outside the City of London). The growth and success of the PARO Peer Lending Circle Program in Middlesex County will depend on ability to identify women to both participate and serve as members of a PARO Peer Lending Circle. This is the primary objective for the launch of the MWEI.
Application Forms
Please download the application form and save it to your device before filling it out. Completing it within your web browser without saving it locally on your device may result in lost information.
Women looking to access microfinancing, support and resources to assist with the start up or growth of a new or existing business under the PARO Peer Lending Circle Program are encouraged to complete our Participant Application Form.
Women looking to lend their support to women with the start up or growth of a new or existing business as a member of a PARO Peer Lending Circle are encouraged to complete our Member Application Form.
Once complete, submit an electronic copy of your application form as an attachment by email to info@cfmiddlesex.ca. Any questions or concerns, please contact us at (519) 641-6100.