HAMILTON & HALTON, ON – October 8, 2024 – Innovation Factory, a leading not-for-profit business accelerator, and Women Funding Women Inc., a social purpose company dedicated to bridging the funding gap for women entrepreneurs, have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at empowering women founders and investors in the tech and innovation sectors.
This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is focused on addressing the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and investors by providing enhanced access to resources, education, and investment opportunities across Canada.
Innovation Factory provides comprehensive support to Ontario-based start-ups and scaling companies through advisory services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections. Its newly launched Femtech Canada network has been at the forefront of fostering innovation in women’s health, supporting female-identifying founders who are developing and commercializing women’s health products and solutions.
Women Funding Women (WFW) is a Canada-wide collective that mobilizes women investors, particularly angel investors, to support women-led ventures. WFW’s mission is to close the persistent funding gap for women entrepreneurs by activating a powerful network of investors committed to gender equity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to partner with Women Funding Women to further support women-led businesses,” said Karen Linesman, VP of Operations with Innovation Factory. “Our collaboration aims to support the necessary resources, education, and networking opportunities to drive meaningful change and equity for women entrepreneurs.”
“We are pleased to work with Innovation Factory in support of our mission to close the funding gap for women entrepreneurs and increase the number of women investors,” said Sherry Shannon-Vanstone, Co-founder of Women Funding Women, and President & CEO of Profound Impact. “As a serial tech entrepreneur and female founder, I understand thoroughly the challenges that women founders face in raising capital. With Innovation Factory, we are creating a more equitable landscape for women in innovation and technology.”
Through this collaboration, Innovation Factory and Women Funding Women are committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs and investors. Women founders, aspiring investors, and supporters are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming events, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to foster growth and collaboration in the Canadian tech and innovation space.
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, serving as the catalyst for technology innovation in the Brant, Halton, Hamilton and Norfolk regions since 2010. Innovation Factory provides business services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to drive market adoption, leverage intellectual property, and increase revenues, investment, and jobs. Innovators can also access sector-specific resources including exclusive smart transportation test environments and data; and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.
About Women Funding Women
Women Funding Women Inc. is a social purpose company, dedicated to addressing the funding gap faced by women entrepreneurs in North America. By activating women investors, particularly angel investors, Women Funding Women aims to financially support women-led ventures and drive gender equity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. To learn more or to sign up for the Women Funding Women newsletter, please email [email protected] or visit womenfundingwomen.ca.
