TORONTO, March 3, 2021 /CNW/ – BMO Bank of Montreal today deepened its commitment to women entrepreneurs and business owners with $1.2 million in funding provided to SheEO, a not-for-profit company which provides financial support to businesses led by women and non-binary people. This financial commitment will allow SheEO to fund twice as many ventures working to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2021.

“The pandemic has created an additional challenge and barrier to women business owners, but we want to turn that around and ensure women entrepreneurs can hold their ground and emerge from the pandemic in a stronger position,” said Mike Bonner, Head, Canadian Business Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal. “This investment is another example of our Purpose in action, as we Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.”

BMO’s collaboration with SheEO aligns with the bank’s newly announced five-year diversity and representation goals, centred around creating a more inclusive society. The not for profit’s focus is on reducing barriers woman-owned businesses face when trying to obtain financing, and funding ventures that address sustainability issues faced worldwide.

“BMO’s investment in SheEO will help a growing number of women-owned businesses affected by the pandemic to have the opportunity to grow and prosper with this additional funding,” said Vicki Saunders, Founder of SheEO. “We are excited to have the opportunity to double the number of ventures for the first time since we launched in 2015 – together we have an even greater opportunity to tackle some of the leading social issues of our time.”

Read the full press release here.