Ten things worth reading on International Women’s Day
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Impact
Lack of inclusion, unclear parental leave still hamper retention of women in Canadian VC
Junior ranks of VC remain more diverse than senior levels, survey finds.
RBCx launches second edition of mentorship program for women in tech
The previously all-women mentorship roster now includes men.
QueerTech acquires accelerator Gradient Spaces to support more 2SLGBTQ+ tech workers
According to QueerTech, less than one percent of venture capital deals go to Queer entrepreneurs.
BEKH, Volta and Tribe launch new initiatives to support Black Canadian founders
Both initiatives look to address the unique, systemic barriers facing Black entrepreneurs.
York Region commits $1 million to support international, women entrepreneurs
Project JumpSTART aims to create a soft landing for tech entrepreneurs in the York Region.
University of Calgary’s “venture philanthropy fund” UCeed targets pre-seed funding gap
Three and a half years since its launch, UCeed has grown into one of Canada’s most active early-stage investors.
Femtech Canada officially launches network to support women’s health innovation
Network includes over 120 companies, industry partners, investors, accelerators.
CBIV surpasses $135 million CAD in final close to back women, children-focused healthtech startups
With Fund I, Toronto’s CBIV targets both market returns and impact.
Social Finance Fund-backed Realize Capital Partners reveals first nine investments
Recipients include Idealist, Maple Bridge, PaceZero, Raven, Relentless, and The51.
Assent CEO talks ESG’s growing impact on stakeholder, customer, and investor relationships
ESG needs standards and regular reporting to drive impact.
How to move the “big rock” of inclusion in tech
Companies need talent; creating pathways for underrepresented communities can help fill the gap.
SMEs that reduce their carbon footprint perform better than those who don’t: BDC report
SMEs recoup investments in 16 months, but 32 percent of those surveyed don’t plan on taking action.
Spring Impact Capital launches $20-million fund to back cleantech, healthtech startups
New impact fund sprung out of Spring to focus on “human and planetary health.”
Federal government commits $4.8 million to Knowledge Hub, NACO through Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
The funding is aimed to create educational resources that support women entrepreneurs, investors.