Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)

The #StartupCanadaTour is making its way to the BMO Centre on April 29, 2025 ✈️🇨🇦 Startup Canada This full-day event with @startupcanada is packed with expert talks, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking—all designed to help you navigate challenges and scale your business. I’m honoured to be sitting down with Dennis Agbegha, BSc, MSc. and Musap (Moose) A. to dive into the real talk around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and entrepreneurship and sharing my perspectives from an entrepreneurial lens and from an ecosystem perspective. Whether you’re a Calgary-based entrepreneur or part of our vibrant ecosystem, don’t miss this event! Here’s your chance to be with other early stage entrepreneurs, build networks, learn from industry experts and drive your business forward. Use code SHANNON30 for 30% OFF your Startup Passes or General Admission Pass and come spend the day with fellow entrepreneurs, changemakers and experts. Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) The Finance Cafe *Register now at https://lnkd.in/gaM7Vr7r

On March 28, Peggy Harvey, our Communications and Partnership Programs Manager, attended the #CanWIN Global Summit 2025, hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada at the Shangri-La Toronto. Christine Nakamura opened the day with a strong call to strengthen Canada-Asia collaboration and support women entrepreneurs going global. In the panel Commercializing AI Solutions from Canada to Asia, Melissa M. Chee highlighted the urgency of trade diversification: “Putting all our eggs in one basket was not the best business approach… We need to ramp up efforts to engage with other markets.” Panelists shared how they are scaling inclusive AI solutions internationally. In Driving Innovation in the Medtech Space, speakers explored regulations and building Asia-focused partnerships. According to our 2025 State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada (#SOWE2025) report, women-owned SMEs were more likely to export services (52.3%) than men (43.9%) in 2023—but less likely to export goods. This shows the need for inclusive trade support and stronger international networks for women and immigrant entrepreneurs. Thank you to #CanWIN and APF Canada for spotlighting global women leaders. Special thanks to panelists: Melissa M. Chee, Beth Rogozinski, Nuha Siddiqui, Shari van de Pol, Josephine Yam, JD, LLM, MA (AI Ethics), Gabrielle Serafini, Sharmila Sriram, Pamela Vitale, Jessica Yang, and Charlene Brophy. // Le 28 mars, Peggy Harvey, notre gestionnaire des communications et partenariats, a assisté au #CanWIN Global Summit 2025, organisé par la Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada à Toronto. Christine Nakamura a souligné l’importance d’une collaboration renforcée entre le Canada et l’Asie, et du soutien aux femmes entrepreneures à l’international. Lors du panel Commercialisation des solutions en #IA, Melissa M. Chee a rappelé l’urgence de diversifier nos échanges : « Mettre tous nos œufs dans le même panier n’était pas la meilleure stratégie… » Les panélistes ont présenté leurs approches pour déployer des solutions d’IA inclusives à l’échelle mondiale. Dans Stimuler l’innovation en technologies médicales, les échanges ont porté sur la réglementation et les partenariats avec l’Asie. Selon notre rapport l’état des lieux de l’entrepreneuriat féminin au Canada 2025 (#ELEF2025), en 2023, les PME détenues par des femmes exportent davantage de services que celles détenues par des hommes (52,3 % contre 43,9 %), mais moins de biens. Il est essentiel d’offrir un soutien inclusif au commerce international et de bâtir des réseaux solides pour les femmes et les entrepreneures issues de l’immigration. #WomenEntrepreneurs #CanWIN2025 #WomenInTech #WomenInMedtech #IndoPacificTrade #InclusiveTrade #SOWE2025 #WEKH #Entrepreneures #PCFE

At the 27th Metropolis Canada Conference in Toronto, Dr. Wendy Cukier delivered a powerful, data-backed case for why immigration is key to solving Canada’s biggest challenges—from labour shortages to trade disruptions to lagging innovation. With 99% of Canadian businesses being small and medium-sized enterprises (#SMEs) and nearly 1 in 5 Canadians over 65, we can’t afford to overlook the role immigrants play in building our future. Dr. Cukier highlighted how immigrants: 🔹 Open access to global markets and strengthen local supply chains 🔹 Lead in adopting AI and driving productivity 🔹 Spark job creation and inclusive economic growth She also cautioned against the rising #backlash to equity, diversity and inclusion (#EDI), reminding us: “EDI is not political correctness—it’s Marketing 101.” Her message is clear: In times of uncertainty, Canada must lead with inclusion, not fear. 📖 Want to learn more? Read the full story for Dr. Cukier’s actionable recommendations on how policymakers, business leaders and educators can help build a stronger, more resilient Canada: https://bit.ly/3RwHLCr #Metropolis2025 #InclusiveGrowth #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship

👋🏼 Calling all women entrepreneurs!!! Don’t miss out on this year’s #WomensEntrepreneurshipForum organized by the City of Toronto in partnership with Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) - Free tickets are available now!     Explore the world of #emergingtechnologies and learn how to refine your #digitalcapabilities to drive #businesssuccess.   You’ll also learn about #businesssupports available through the City of Toronto’s Small Business Enterprise Centre (funded by the ONeconomy | ÉconomieON - Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade) as well as other levels of governments and associations.    📅 June 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.   📍 Toronto City Hall, Council Chambers    🎟️ Register now, space is limited: Link in Comments below 👇   👩🏾💼 Know someone who might be interested in this event, spread the news and tag them below or share this post! Patrick Tobin Clare Barnett Thomas McGinty Ec.D. CEcD Sabine Soumare Wendy Cukier Peggy Harvey Meagan Trush Chelsey Davidson Fariba Niroui, PMP Ashma Patel Christine Leung Jith D. Vikas (Vik) Jain Michael Pastyr Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) Diversity Institute Toronto Metropolitan University City of Toronto City of Toronto- Business and Economy Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario

Are you looking to take charge of your financial future? 📈 Canadian Small Business Women presents the Amplify Your Voice Conference: The Financial Edition, a one-day event designed to empower you with the tools, insights and connections to build #wealth and secure #funding. 📅 Date: May 12, 2025 📍 Location: Mississauga Grand, 35 Brunel Road 🎟️ Register today for early bird pricing: https://lnkd.in/gxVhRH2e #FinancialEmpowerment #WealthBuilding #WomenInBusiness #FundingOpportunities #Networking #Investing

New research finds that women are more likely than men to have mentors at work, but report fewer benefits compared to men. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ 📖 Read report: https://lnkd.in/gQnq3hW9 #workplacementorship #careergrowth

🎟️ Calling all Calgary Entrepreneurs! Don’t miss your chance at complimentary tickets* The #StartupCanadaTour is making its way to the BMO Centre on April 29. ✈️ With new U.S. tariffs impacting Canadian businesses, now is the time to get ahead, adapt and thrive. This full-day event with Startup Canada is packed with expert talks, hands-on workshops and high-impact networking—all designed to help you navigate challenges and scale your business. Shannon Pestun, our senior advisor, will be a panellist for the session Doubling Down on DEI: Why Inclusive Entrepreneurship Matters More Than Ever. *As a friend, follower and partner, we’re pleased to offer our network a limited number of free tickets using the promo code WEKHSTARTUPTOUR100 (first come, first served). 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gRirzwda

We are proud to share that our executive director at Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), Sabine Soumare, has been selected as one of The Peak’s 2025 Emerging Leaders in the Entrepreneurship category! This prestigious recognition highlights Canadian leaders under 40 who are shaping their industries and driving meaningful impact. As our executive director, Sabine continues to lead national efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs across Canada. Congratulations, Sabine, on this well-deserved honour — and to all the inspiring leaders recognized this year! 📣 Check out the full list here: https://lnkd.in/g5Tcs5Ev #WEKH #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveInnovation #EmergingLeaders #ThePeak #WomenEntrepreneurs #Leadership // Nous sommes fiers d’annoncer que notre directrice générale du PCFE, Sabine Soumare, a été sélectionnée parmi les Leaders émergents 2025 de The Peak dans la catégorie Entrepreneuriat! Cette prestigieuse reconnaissance met en avant des leaders canadiens de moins de 40 ans qui transforment leur secteur et génèrent un impact concret. En tant que directrice générale, Sabine continue de piloter des efforts nationaux pour bâtir un écosystème entrepreneurial plus inclusif et équitable pour les femmes à travers le Canada. Félicitations à Sabine pour cet honneur bien mérité — ainsi qu’à tous les leaders inspirants mis à l’honneur cette année! 📣 Découvrez la liste complète ici : https://lnkd.in/g5Tcs5Ev #PCFE #Entrepreneuriat #InnovationInclusive #LeadersÉmergents #ThePeak #FemmesEntrepreneures #Leadership

On February 27, 2025, StrikeUP Canada hosted its 5th annual digital conference for women entrepreneurs—bringing together over 3,630 participants from across Canada and beyond!✨ With the theme Resiliency Redefined, this year’s event sparked powerful conversations with women entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and changemakers on how to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 💜 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible speakers, partners, and community. Your passion fuels inclusive economic empowerment across the country. Explore our mission and growing network at www.strikeup.ca

On March 20, our executive director, Sabine Soumare and our programs manager, Peggy Harvey, attended Women who Trade, Women who Lead: Shaping the Future of Global Trade, an International Women’s Day event hosted by Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT). In partnership with WEKH, the event brought together women entrepreneurs to spotlight inclusive leadership and women’s role in global trade. A fireside chat between Sara Wilshaw, Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner, and OWIT co-president Susan Baka explored trade dynamics, the Canada–U.S. relationship, and women in diplomacy. Rowena Ko from the Trade Commissioner Service | Service des délégués commerciaux shared key resources available to help women entrepreneurs scale internationally. In her closing remarks, Sabine Soumare shared insights from The State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada 2025 (#SOWE2025), highlighting the importance of global market access for women-led businesses. Only 17% of women entrepreneurs currently export—vs. 23.7% of men—underscoring the need for targeted support. 📘 Read the #SOWE2025 executive summary: https://bit.ly/sowe2025es   // Le 20 mars, Sabine Soumare, directrice générale, et Peggy Harvey, gestionnaire de programmes au Portail de connaissances pour les femmes en entrepreneuriat (PCFE), ont assisté à l’événement Women who Trade, Women who Lead: Shaping the Future of Global Trade, organisé par Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des femmes. Commandité par le PCFE, cet événement a réuni des femmes entrepreneures pour discuter de leadership inclusif et du rôle des femmes dans le commerce international. Une discussion entre Sara Wilshaw, déléguée commerciale en chef du Canada, et Susan Baka, coprésidente d’OWIT, a abordé les dynamiques commerciales, la relation Canada–États-Unis et la place des femmes en diplomatie. Rowena Ko, du Trade Commissioner Service | Service des délégués commerciaux, a présenté des ressources clés pour aider les femmes entrepreneures à croître à l’international. En conclusion, Sabine Soumare a partagé les faits saillants de L’état de l’entrepreneuriat féminin au Canada 2025 (#ELEF2025), en soulignant l’importance de l’accès aux marchés mondiaux pour les entreprises dirigées par des femmes. Seulement 17 % des femmes entrepreneures exportent actuellement, contre 23,7 % des hommes — un écart à combler avec du soutien ciblé. 📘 Lisez le résumé du rapport #ELEF2025 : https://lnkd.in/gwrhHV_Q #WomenInTrade #WomenEntrepreneurs #InclusiveTrade #InternationalWomensDay #FemmesEnCommerce #FemmesEntrepreneures #CommerceInclusif #JournéeInternationaleDesFemmes SSHRC-CRSH