This March newsletter: A recap of our Be Bold Challenge, Investment Impact Snapshot, award announcements and extensive events and resources coinciding with International Women's Day (IWD).
The numbers don’t lie: Canadian women are set to control nearly $4 trillion in wealth within the next decade. Yet, the funding gap remains stubborn, with women-led companies receiving less than 4% of venture capital.
At Women Funding Women Inc. (WFW), we know this isn’t a talent problem. It’s an allocation problem. This March, following IWD and the theme Give to Gain, we are leaning into the power of women writing cheques.
TheBe Bold Challenge:The Three Cs to Drive Systemic Change. We recently launched the Be Bold Challenge, a direct call for women to transition from the sidelines to the center of capital allocation. We are moving the needle through our Three Cs:
Changing the Paradigm
Redefining who builds and scales companies by ensuring women are the ones backing them.
Creation of Wealth Shifting the narrative from "risk avoidance" to "calculated risk-taking."
Collective Collaboration Normalizing women as both funders and founders, and creating spaces where women can pitch, invest, mentor and champion one another.
Leading by Example: Investment Impact Snapshot
Visibility is a prerequisite for change. To walk the talk, the WFW Co-founders and Advisory Council have publicly disclosed a selection of women-led ventures we have personally invested in.
We don’t just talk about leadership; we celebrate the legends among us. We are incredibly proud to announce that two of our Co-founders were recently honoured at The Power of I Am Summit by I Am Unbreakable® Global Media.
Dr. Deborah Rosati – Rockstar Legend Award A true legacy leader, Deborah was recognized for her peerless boardroom excellence and for paving the way for women at the highest levels of governance.
"This award symbolizes not only personal achievement but also the collective strength, leadership, and boldness we bring to one another." -- Dr. Deborah Rosati
Dr. Sherry Shannon-Vanstone – Rockstar Icon Award As our CEO, Sherry continues to be a formidable advocate for innovation. This award recognizes her immense impact as a mentor and industry shaper who consistently elevates the voices around her.
"I am incredibly honoured to receive the Rising Rockstar 2026 Rockstar Icon Award. I am truly blown away by this extraordinary recognition."
- Dr. Sherry Shannon Vanstone.
Below, you will find a curated list of programs, events, and resources for women founders and funders - let's keep the momentum going!
Join us as we continue to Be Bold, together,
Lara, Deborah & Sherry
Co-founders, Women Funding Women
PS: Our mission thrives on collective action. Is there someone in your network that would benefit from the events in this newsletter? Invite them!
WFW x Osler Legal Workshops
Gain essential legal expertise from top-tier experts.
Successful deals require a shared legal vocabulary. These webinar recordings with Osler offer high-level insights for founders building for scale and funders looking for due diligence excellence:
Startup Funding & Term Sheets
From Hiring to Firing: What Every Startup Needs to Know to be Investor Ready
Save the date for our next workshop on April 22nd, 2026
Innovate Niagara presents | Show Her the Money Movie
Tuesday, March 17th, St. Catharines
A special screening of Show Her The Money - an award-winning documentary that follows four women founders building high-growth companies, and the investors pushing to shift capital toward diverse entrepreneurs.
A panel discussion will follow to explore the film’s themes and the state of funding for women-led business in Niagara. Joining the panel are WFW's Dr. Sherry Shannon Vanstone and Dr. Deborah Rosati.
Movement51 | Communicating What Matters Most About Your Startup
April 8th, 2026, Virtual
Investors don’t just invest in numbers—they invest in stories that make sense. In this interactive webinar, founders will learn how to connect strategic thinking with compelling storytelling to communicate what truly matters about their startup.
Join The51’s Road to the Summit series in Montreal, a gathering that brings together investors, founders, institutional leaders, and ecosystem builders shaping the future of capital and innovation in Canada.
Building on the momentum from our series leading into the XX Summit 2026, this event focuses on how women are moving, structuring, and scaling capital.
The Women's Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) | Women Build Canada: Recognizing women’s economic contributions on International Women’s Day and beyond
News release
As Canada marked International Women’s Day, the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and the Diversity Institute (DI) share new research showing the growing role of women in strengthening Canada’s economy and innovation.
The research highlights both the progress women have made across Canada’s economy and the structural barriers that still limit growth and scale.
These documents reflect the standards commonly used across the Canadian market and are intended to help founders, investors, and advisors move early-stage deals forward with greater clarity and efficiency.
From March 8-22, PitchPal is free for anyone ready to test and refine their pitch. Submit your 60-second elevator pitch, receive structured feedback, and see top-scoring pitches featured on the live leaderboard.
Applications are now open for the Second Annual Power of The Pitch™, where founders pitch their companies in front of investors, media, and industry leaders — including Dragon’s Den Michele Romanow.
A powerful congratulations to Power of the Pitch™ 2026 Winner, Candace Chartier from CHeCS Canada. Learn more about her extraordinary moment on stage.
Pictured: Candace Chartier with her award
The51 |
XX Summit Canada
June 1st, 2026, Calgary
The XX Summit is Canada’s largest gathering of women-led capital, bringing together investors, founders, institutional leaders, and ecosystem builders to shape the future of capital, ownership, and innovation. At this one-day flagship event in Calgary, bold conversations, real stories, and catalytic connections drive forward the economic power of women across sectors and stages.
Toronto Metropolitan University - CILAR | AI Powered Futures
Virtual program
AI Powered Futures is a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to transform how retail and retail-adjacent workers prepare for the future of work across Canada. By harnessing AI-driven education, employer-recognized microcredentials, and mentorship, the program ensures participants are learning the most relevant, in-demand skills for an AI-driven economy.
Join the Advisory Committee, mentor participants, become a participant or tell organizers another way you’d like to contribute.
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