Mar 8, 2022 
Online
To celebrate International Women’s Day today, we have compiled a list of events, sources of funding, and other support resources geared specifically to women and women identifying entrepreneurs!
Events:
March 8th
Virtual Conversations – A Group Discussion
Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.
In celebration of International Women’s Day today, March 8, join WESK and Miller Thomson LLP for Virtual Conversations, where everyone will have a chance to be heard
International Women’s Day Let’s Celebrate Together! Work-life Balance How to be Proactive!
Join Community Futures Sagehill and JMJ Coaching for this webinar to explore what your balance is!
- Learn how work–life balance is different for each of us and how it can change over time.
- Learn how to be sure we are coming at balance in a way that works for you.
- Learn what is working and what is not.
- Learn how to be proactive instead of reactive.
#BreakTheBias – International Women’s Day Virtual Event
International Women’s Day (IWD) is March 8th, and the Lean In Ottawa Network is hosting a panel discussion on this year’s theme: #BreakTheBias.
Join us with panelists Dave Hale, Amanda Gordon, Anna Thukral, and Meera Chander, as they explore what breaking the bias truly means, and how we can all help forge positive visibility for all women.
March 9th
Breaking The Bias In Ip: Reflections From Women In Leadership
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the up-and-coming ChIPs Eastern Canada Chapter will bring together a diverse panel of women leaders in IP from in-house and private practice to share their insights, perspectives and stories from their own career journey. Our purpose for the panel is to offer guidance and inspiration for women at all levels to “Break the Bias” in IP
March 10th
Sharing Her Stories: Women in STEM
Join uOttawa for a virtual panel discussion with three trailblazers in the fields of STEM in Canada. Our panelists will discuss their journeys and the importance of sharing and archiving women’s stories in order to better foster the next generation of women in STEM.
March 11th
Lightbulb Moments: Women in STEM Conquering Personal & Systemic Biases
This event is shedding a light on the most common biases experienced by women in STEM industries, and transforming them into a unique learning opportunity. You’ll hear from 8 leaders who have both experienced and held biases, the steps they took to overcome them, and key takeaways for the audience so that they too can #BreakTheBias.
Challenging Gender Norms in a Virtual / Hybrid World
Hear panelists share their different perspectives on the unique opportunities and risks hybrid work presents and how to design the new workplace with inclusion in mind.
Other great webinars and Industry Advisory Circles from Startup Canada’s Startup Women initiative
Resources:
Funding for women entrepreneurs:
Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK)
From business advising, funding, training, networking, and resources for starting and growing a business in Saskatchewan, WESK can provide you with the tools you need to succeed.
Business Development Bank of Canada – financing and advisory services for women entrepreneurs
Because your business is unique, BDC has developed a wide selection of free resources that will meet your needs. They’re there to help you achieve your full potential as a woman entrepreneur.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Women in Technology Venture Fund
BDC has one of the world’s largest venture capital funds dedicated to investing in women-led technology companies and helping build a robust ecosystem to support women in tech today and in the future.
Export Development Canada’s (EDC’s) Women in Trade
Export Development Canada (EDC) is dedicated to helping Canadian women-owned and -led businesses succeed on the global stage by providing the financial solutions and international insights they need to grow with confidence.
Other resources:
The Women’s Business Hub is a place (hub) where talented immigrant women come together to develop their skills under the guidance of business professionals.
AWESOME is a Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. program and is funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund. AWESOME is available to women-owned food-processing businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Scale up For Entrepreneurs Initiative
The Scale Up for Entrepreneurs Initiative provides eligible entrepreneurs with training to acquire skills and knowledge to grow their business. The target participants are women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in under-represented groups, including: Indigenous, visible minority, youth, and persons experiencing disabilities.
Digital Literacy for Entrepreneurs Initiative
The Digital Literacy for Entrepreneurs Initiative provides eligible entrepreneurs with training to address their digital literacy needs, especially those of women entrepreneurs, who want to integrate digital technologies into the future success and growth of their business, while mitigating future risk associated with the application of technology.
Women Entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan Report
Women entrepreneurs are important contributors to Saskatchewan communities and the province’s economic growth. This report provides statistics on women-owned businesses and self-employed women to describe their contribution to our economy.
Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs (CAWEE)
CAWEE is dedicated to helping you build valuable, lasting relationships that will strengthen your business now and in the long-term. As a diverse, welcoming collective of successful professional women, CAWEE enables you to build your resource base, improve your networking skills, and make valuable connections that last.
Catalyst is a global nonprofit supported by many of the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women.
The Forum is a Canadian-based charity that energizes, educates, mentors, and connects self-identified women entrepreneurs to be wildly successful, promoting strengthened economies and thriving communities.
WEConnect International – Canada
Since 2008, WEConnect International in Canada has been working to help women-owned businesses succeed in global value chains.
Hosted by Startup Canada’s CEO, Kayla Isabelle, each month we will explore a key area of business – everything from funding and sales, to marketing and HR. Each episode will host a Featured Founder and a Topic Expert to showcase real entrepreneurial challenges from women identifying founders and, most importantly, to identify actionable steps and solutions for our community to apply within their own businesses so they can achieve success.