DivE In: November 2023

December 1, 2023 / Articles

This blog is powered by the Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)

In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebrated on November 19th, this month’s blog is dedicated towards highlighting the pivotal role women entrepreneurs play in effecting positive change. As the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day movement aspires to foster a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous future, this month’s blog highlights resources and news that emphasize gender equity and equality, financial inclusion, and the potential of entrepreneurship to transcend barriers.

📰 GENERAL DEI NEWS

The Stacy’s Rise Project

Applications are now open for the Stacy’s Rise Project. The Stacy’s Rise Project™ is a program committed to empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs on their paths to establishing a successful business through funding, mentorship, and community. Deadline to apply is December 15.

Manal’s Journey to Entrepreneurship

Manal Khader, founder of Majoun sat down with the Diversity Institute (DI) to talk about the story of Majoun, her journey to entrepreneurship, and advice for female entrepreneurs

Black Women Business Network

Are you a black female entrepreneur? The Black Women Business Network is a great resource open to women of Afro Caribbean origins in Canada. Connect with black women business.

Funding Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs

Futurpreneur Canada supports young entrepreneurs with up to $60,000 in financing, an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help you plan, manage and grow your business.

Services for Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Community Futures is proud to offer services for Indigenous people ready to start their business or for those who are already business owners. Learn about the various resources offered to indigenous entrepreneurs.

10 Steps to Starting a Business

Are you trying to make your business dream a reality? Small Business BC lists 10 steps to starting a business.

🗓 UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

December 2, 2023 – Join Voices of Muslim Women Foundation for a half-day event that aims to provide a platform for women to delve into the realms of leadership, resilience, and community impact.

December 6, 2023 – Join Spring and BDC to discuss the new Thrive Lab and how it plans to build a community of impact investors and increase investment opportunities for female leaders.

December 6, 2023 – Are you a seasoned entrepreneur or just embarking on your startup journey? Register for this event hosted by Toast and Innovate BC to gain valuable insights on the challenges and triumphs of finding and collaborating with co-founders.

December 7, 2023 – Hear from some of BC’s most prominent law firms to learn about making licensing decisions that impact strategies for patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets and the importance of diversity in boards and senior leadership. Register for this event hosted in partnership with SFU VentureLabs, VIATEC, Hubspace, and Accelerate IP.

December 13, 2023 – How is your organization intentionally creating space for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Reconciliation? Learn about allyship in Corporate Canada

⭐️ COMMUNITY

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, joined by the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced additional funding of up to $3.8 million for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), which will help WEKH to continue its national research to understand barriers and enablers to entrepreneurial success and innovation, expand ecosystem partnerships and raise awareness about the success of women entrepreneurs

SFU VentureLabs and The Forum celebrated Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 16th with over 50 female entrepreneurs. The event had a panel discussion moderated by Michelle Sinclair, active start-up advisor, philanthropist and Angel investor on Celebrating female entrepreneurs and gaining actionable insights and resources with speakers Mokah Shmigelsky, Founder of OneCup AI, Anastasia Kiku, Founder of Reusables, Summan Kandola, Partner at SelfHired, and Kim Jacob, Founder, Arvorei Communications.

Seven exceptional women entrepreneurs were honored for their remarkable achievements at the 31st Annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards presented by Women of Influence+. The 2023 award winners are: Jolene Johnson, Wabanaki Maple, Laura Suen, Fire and Steel Inc, Jennie Coleman, Equifruit Inc., Ginny Becker, Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna, Onome Ako, Action Against Hunger Canada, Shamira Jaffer, Signifi Solutions, Aisha Yang, Herbaland Naturals Inc.,

TAP Network Released a 2023 Report on Diversity within Canada’s Tech Sector. The report revealed women, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in Canada’s tech sector.

👤 SEE IT. BE IT.

The WEKH See It. Be It. Database spotlights the stories of women entrepreneurs making an impact.

Alisha Esmail guarantees that her business Road Coffee offers more than a great cup of coffee. She ensures that each cup of her coffee impacts families of smallholder coffee farmers and takes important steps towards their independence and freedom. Alisha has a mission to bring quality coffee directly from a farmer’s hands to your cup and invest it back into their land. She received Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy Funding which provided Alisha with the resources to develop her E-commerce platforms, expand her business and thrive during the pandemic while café’s and offices were closed. With the additional mentorship and training that Alisha has received, her business has created strong foundations in her community which has established the company’s reputation and opened doors to investors and coffee farmers.

VentureLabs has partnered with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute as a BC partner for the 50 – 30 Challenge.

WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?

The Challenge is aimed at advancing gender parity and increasing diversity on boards and in senior leadership roles. The aim:

50% of board seats and leadership roles held by women and non-binary people
30% of board seats and leadership roles held by members of other under-represented and/or equity-seeking groups (including racialized, Black and/or people of colour, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ people, and Indigenous people)

Join now

VentureLabs is proud to be the Regional Hub for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) in BC. We are driven to create a more inclusive and supportive environment to grow women’s entrepreneurship in Canada. We challenge stereotypes, overcome barriers, and bring resources together in support of women entrepreneurs.

WEKH is a Government of Canada initiative that brings together service providers, programs, partners, and research across Canada in support of women entrepreneurs.

Learn more