Startup Women
Dedicated to showing up for women all year round, Startup Women is an annual program offering support to early stage women-identifying entrepreneurs across Canada. We know that when you support women, you support a nation. Scroll to see what we got up to in 2024!
About Startup Women 2024
What is it?
Startup Women stands with women-identifying entrepreneurs to help support their growth and future goals. From topic-focused webinars, industry advisory circles, and meetings with Startup Women leaders, this free program helped entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of their business and foster connections with key ecosystem leaders and like-minded entrepreneurs. This programming was for all women, including those in the trans and non-binary community.
How did we support?
Throughout the year, beginning in February, Startup Canada hosted several live webinars, industry advisory circles as well as in-person mentoring sessions and in person events focused on supporting and celebrating women-identifying entrepreneurs.
Overview of the 2024 Startup Women Program
Webinars
These webinars supported the business development of women-identifying entrepreneurs and gave them the tools and know-how to navigate the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
View past events
Industry Advisory Circles
These industry-specific advisory circles took place once a month between February and November. These sessions featured expert talks from late-stage founders, a panel discussion with support organizations within the industry and networking breakout rooms with attendees and speakers. This close-door, virtual meetup gave women-identifying entrepreneurs all across Canada a sense of community and support.
View past events
Meetings with Startup Women Leaders
Through the Startup Canada Tour, we facilitated meetings with Startup Women Leaders to support women-identifying entrepreneurs as they pave their entrepreneurial path. This provided the opportunity to build their network and meet with women leading and excelling in their industry, subject matter experts and key figures in support organizations, who provided guidance, and support in their business development through their own lived experience. This year, women leaders were connected in:
Langley, BC
Winnipeg, MB
Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
Moncton, NB
Startup Women Empowerment Fund
Throughout the year, we hosted in person events in 6 different cities across Canada to support and celebrate women-identifying entrepreneurs. Through this initiative, we were able to support more than 700+ entrepreneurs in 2024!
Creating Change
Startup Women Advocacy Network
To help showcase women-identifying entrepreneurs from coast to coast to coast, we were delighted to continue the Startup Women Advocacy Network (SWAN) initiative in 2024. There is a lack of awareness and storytelling of early-stage, women-identifying entrepreneurs in Canada. As a national convener and true to our core values, we want to connect entrepreneurs with the support they need to help tackle this gap.
View 2024 Cohort
Resources
Equip for success
We built a robust hub to guide you through key tools to fuel your business success. We compiled a resource guide to connect women-identifying entrepreneurs with funding, training, events, and other programming available to support them locally, regionally, and nationally.
Download the Guide
Listen
Startup Women Podcast
As a podcast for women-identifying entrepreneurs, the Startup Women Podcast highlights champions of women's economic empowerment within Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem all year round. Listen to our latest episodes on topics that matter to the growth of women's entrepreneurship!
Learn moreStay up to date with Startup Women
Sign up for email notifications to be the first to know when Startup Women 2025 launches!
Our program partners
This program would not be possible without the generous support of our partners. We are so happy to be able to continue working with our amazing partners and excited to introduce new partners for 2025.
Co-Presenting Partners
Program Partners
Community Partners
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Each program element is open to every aspiring, emerging and/or established entrepreneur, no matter what stage you’re in.
Absolutely not! We’ve made sure that every element of the program contains general, high-level key takeaways that can be applied to any industry. However, we understand that context matters. We also offer targeted support depending on your area(s) of interest. We will be hosting 10 Industry Advisory Circles throughout the year facilitated by a subject matter expert with other panellists, followed by an audience Q&A. See which industries we’re covering.
To inquire more about our targeted support, please email women@startupcan.ca
Yes! The Startup Women program is 100% free.
The Startup Women program runs from February 5th to November 29, 2024.
These meetings will take place at each of the 4 stops of the 2024 Startup Canada Tour. This year, the Startup Canada Tour will be stopping in:
- Winnipeg, MB on Thursday, April 18th
- Langley, BC on Wednesday, May 15th
- Moncton, NB on Tuesday, September 17th
- Kitchener-Waterloo, ON on Wednesday, October 30th
To register to attend any of these events, please visit the Startup Canada Tour webpage.
You can email us your biography and information on your experience at women@startupcan.ca
You register for any and all 2024 Startup Women events here.
Unfortunately, Startup Canada does not offer funding/grants. What we do offer are connections, resources, and tools that can support you in finding the right funding for your business. If you would like to learn more about existing funding opportunities, the Startup Women Resource Guide includes grants and funding opportunities available to women.
Email us at women@startupcan.ca