Women entrepreneurs in Canada are starting and growing businesses at record levels—nearly one-fifth of Canadian businesses are women-owned, and access to financing tools and capital vehicles have greatly improved. Despite this, women still represent a small share of the venture-backed founders in Canada, average loan and equity amounts are smaller, and access to large growth rounds continues to lag.  

Alberta Innovates’ latest Capital Access webinar focuses on recent changes to capital access and how it impacts women entrepreneurs.  

Hosts Ayo Aiyeleye from Alberta Innovates and Arielle Land from Movement51, as well as presenters Emily Smiley, Executive Director at Movement51, and Courtney Dragani, Chief Growth Officer at Movement51 and The51, will provide an ecosystem-level update that looks at how the capital landscape has shifted in recent years, what has meaningfully improved, where structural gaps remain, and what that means in today’s more disciplined, metrics-driven market.   

All entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners are welcome to attend this session.  

Through the moderated conversation, we will explore: 

• How capital pathways for women founders have evolved 

• What has changed in investor expectations and market dynamics 

• Where momentum is building, including new policy and fund activity 

• Where scale-up gaps persist, particularly in venture and growth capital 

• How founders can position themselves strategically in the current market 

• What investors and policymakers should consider to strengthen capital access and long-term outcomes 

Attendees will leave with practical, forward-looking insights: 

• Founders will gain clarity on how to align with current investor priorities. 

• Investors will better understand the opportunity within the women-led venture landscape. 

• Policymakers and ecosystem leaders will gain perspective on where funding frameworks are working and where further refinement is needed.