BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund) has partnered with Vancouver-based edtech startup Future Capital to deliver the second edition of BDC’s Women in Technology (WIT) Series.
Under this partnership, 150 women will be trained in angel investing in an aim to help diversify the investor ecosystem that supports tech founders. The series will include six cohorts from the Foundations in Startup Investing program, Future Capital’s flagship course designed for underrepresented angel investors.
Participants will undergo eight hours of hands-on coursework, full access to Future Capital’s investor studio, one-on-one coaching, culminating in a live, private deal screening for participants. The series, open to accredited and non-accredited investors, will take participants through three modules that cover topics ranging from venture assessment, deal mechanics, to the investment process.
“We’ve been focused on creating learning experiences … designed to accelerate pathways for emerging investors and start-up leaders to be successful,” said Marlon Thompson, founder and CEO of Future Capital.
“Through this partnership, Future Capital will continue to unlock the full potential of early-stage capital,” Thompson added.
Founded in 2020, Future Capital’s mission is to create a more diverse cohort of investors at the angel, LP, and syndicate level. The organization aims to achieve this by partnering with individuals, Fortune 1000 companies, venture capitalists, and angel groups to offer education and community.
Future Capital’s project with BDC is set to kick off this summer, starting with a British Columbia-based cohort, followed by Atlantic Provinces, and the Prairies.
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A recent report from the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) found that the gender balance of the angel investing landscape shifted last year, as women now comprise 27 percent of the members of Canadian angel organizations. This represents a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year.
According to BDC, the WIT series will focus on providing a safe and open space for women to develop and sharpen their understanding of early-stage investing and connect with investors, mentors, and startup leaders.
The addition of 150 women angel investors through this collaboration with Future Capital will help BDC in its mission to provide support for women in tech, which the bank has been doing through BDC Capital’s WIT Venture Fund, according to Michelle Scarborough, managing partner of the WIT Venture Fund.
BDC Capital launched the WIT Venture Fund in 2017. Since its inception, BDC claims that the $200 million fund has made an impact on over 5,000 women entrepreneurs with more than 30 companies in its portfolio, which includes Canvass Analytics, Waabi, Tealbook, RenoRun, and Nudge Rewards.
Featured image from Future Capital’s website.