Retail Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program + iLaunchHERproduct Program Evaluation Report

Black, racialized, and immigrant women entrepreneurs face persistent barriers that impede the growth and sustainability of their businesses. Systemic biases across financial institutions often limit access to capital. Complex and stringent compliance requirements, coupled with fragmented support systems, create additional hurdles to scaling. A lack of access to professional networks and mentors further isolates these entrepreneurs, limiting opportunities to gain market insights and build the relationships needed to navigate the retail landscape.

The Retail Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP) + iLaunchHERproduct, led by de Sedulous Women Leaders and funded by the Future Skills Centre, was designed to address the systemic barriers faced by Black, racialized and immigrant women entrepreneurs. Delivered over three cycles between 2021 and 2024, the program combined practical training, delivered through 13 masterclasses led by experts in retail, legal and financial fields, with structured buyer engagement opportunities. This two-phase approach aimed to strengthen participants’ retail readiness by equipping them with the knowledge, tools and industry connections needed to access and succeed in competitive retail markets. Since its inception, the program has attracted over 300 diverse women entrepreneurs, with 285 completing the program, with 92.6% identifying as Black, 84.9% as “women of colour” (or racialized), and 77.5% as immigrant women entrepreneurs. 

This report assessed the effectiveness and impact of the REAP+iLaunchHERproduct program in addressing the barriers that Black, racialized, and immigrant women entrepreneurs face in scaling their businesses and accessing retail markets in Canada.

Key recommendations include strengthening post-program follow-up with buyers, expanding engagement with smaller and niche retailers, implementing pre-program assessments to tailor content by business stage and sector, and increasing regional and language inclusivity. Future iterations would also benefit from enhanced training in digital tools, funding strategies, and team development, ensuring participants are equipped to sustain and grow their businesses beyond initial retail access. Importantly, the findings have clear implications for ecosystem actors that invest in entrepreneurship training, underscoring the need for more comprehensive and tailored approaches to entrepreneurship support that address the distinct needs that arise from an entrepreneur’s stage of business, sector, and identity.