As we close out an incredible year, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your continued engagement and support. 2025 has been a year of remarkable growth for our ecosystem, and we are excited to share our full 2025 Engagement Summary with you in January 2026.
Today, we're proud to share the second issue of The Spotlight, presented in partnership with The Scotiabank Women Initiative®. We sat down with Dr. Donna Gasparro & Candice Raic, co-founders of Femme Women’s Wellness, Medical & Cosmetics Clinic to discuss how they're challenging traditional healthcare silos by integrating medical, wellness, and cosmetic services under one roof.
We were proud to participate in BDO's Accelerate HER event, with WFW co-founder, Sherry Shannon-Vanstone, joining a powerful panel on leading boldly. She shared insights on the courage and creativity required to innovate bravely - encouraging us all to "see it to be it".
Ever wonder who funds the next big thing? Issues 1 and 2 of The Angel Insights Series are available for download now! Get a concise breakdown angel investors and forms of early stage financing.
Finally, we are thrilled to welcome Julia Elvidge to the WFW Advisory Council. As co-founder of SheBoot, Julia brings a wealth of experience in scaling deep tech companies and championing women founders. Her leadership will be invaluable as we continue to break barriers and drive capital to women-led ventures.
Below, you will find a curated list of programs, events, and resources for women founders and investors - let's keep the momentum going!
With gratitude,
Lara, Deborah & Sherry
Co-founders, Women Funding Women
PS: Our mission thrives on collective action. Is there someone in your network who would gain value from the events in this newsletter? Invite them!
Meet Dr. Donna Gasparro & Candice Raic
Blending deep medical expertise with sharp business acumen, sisters Dr. Donna Gasparro and Candice Raic are redefining the standard of care for women in Canada. They are the co-founders of Femme Women’s Wellness, Medical & Cosmetics Clinic, a holistic sanctuary that challenges traditional healthcare silos by integrating medical, wellness, and cosmetic services under one roof. By combining Dr. Gasparro’s patient-first medical philosophy with Candice’s strategic operational leadership, they are actively building a community where women feel heard, supported, and empowered at every stage of life.
From Hiring to Firing: What Every Startup Needs to Know to be Investor Ready - Legal Workshop
Led by Osler experts, Kelly O’Ferrall, Partner, Employment & Labour, and Summer Danakas, Associate, Employment & Labour.
This session covers the essentials of startup employment law. Discover how to distinguish employees from contractors, draft solid agreements, and navigate compliance obligations. Learn to reduce risk and "get the paperwork right" to support investor-ready growth.
Designed to illuminate the world of angel investing for everyone involved.
Issue 1 | What is an Angel Investor?
Get a concise breakdown of who angel investors are, their funding mechanisms, and how they differ from VCs. A clear overview for founders and aspiring angels.
Issue 2 | Forms of Early-Stage Financings and Term Sheets
Stop guessing: Get clear on SAFEs, convertible notes, preferred shares, and crucial term sheet clauses.
Financial empowerment through education - for startup founders who are looking to raise capital.
Whether you're navigating your first round or exploring strategies for growth, this series is tailored to provide actionable insights, expert guidance, and the tools you need to succeed in the fundraising process.
Connecting emerging Western University entrepreneurs with visionary investors to forge fresh connections and power a new generation of great companies. Witness five to eight up-and-coming founders pitch asks ranging from $100K up to $5M (or in-kind support). Seats are reserved exclusively for angel investors and VCs to facilitate high-value investment opportunities.
A proven source of incredible ventures and often a catalytic lead in rounds, this program offers a direct path to impactful investing. Connect with accredited investors and women founders to unlock potential without bias. This year’s new flexible format lets you choose your starting point - see more about the foundation series below. Join the cohort committing $10k each to create a $200k pooled investment for the Top Venture.
Foundations in Gender Lens Investing
This free 4-part series for accredited investors explores "gender-smart" strategies. Learn how to build an investment thesis that strengthens portfolios and drives impact. The series runs Tuesdays (Jan 13 – Feb 3) and culminates in a live pitch event with women-led ventures.
WEKH | The State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada: 2025
Women-owned SMEs are on the rise! From 2017 to 2023, the share of majority women-owned SMEs increased from 15.6% to 17.8%, representing more than $90 billion in annual revenues and nearly one million jobs across the country. See the data behind this resilience in the WEKH 2025 State of Women’s Entrepreneurship report.
Explore how women are redefining wealth as stewardship. Across a half-day of dynamic exchange, leaders from venture, wellness, climate finance, and creative industries will examine how expansive capital thinking, from investment to impact, is shaping Canada’s future economy.
This bold one-day experience unites trailblazers for unfiltered conversations on leadership, funding, and resilience. Witness the "Power Of The Pitch" finale and join a movement where one voice becomes a revolution.
Celebrating women-identifying and equity-seeking leaders, entrepreneurs, and allies across Canada who demonstrate bold leadership, measurable impact, community contribution, and a commitment to visibility and equity.
Submission Deadline: January 15 Award Presentation: February 27, at The Power of I Am Summit™
NACO | 2025 Annual Report on Angel Investing in Canada
The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) has released its 2025 Annual Report on Angel Investing in Canada. Tracking over $1.8 billion in investment, this report offers critical insights into the trends shaping Canada’s innovation economy.
We are incredibly proud to see Rachel Bartholomew of Hyivy Health and Suzie Yorke of The Little Cacao Co. named to Canada’s Top 20 Moonshot Ventures of 2025! This is a well-deserved recognition for two leaders who have been integral to our community - Rachel as our May 2025 featured founder for the Founder’s Fireside Chat, and Suzie as a participant in our 2024 Toronto Launch. Congratulations again to you both!
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