Breaking Barriers: Women Entrepreneurs and Access to Capital
Date: March 4, 2025
Time: 12:30pm – Buffet lunch
1:15pm – Panel presentation & Q&A
Location: Invest Ottawa, 7 Bayview Station Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2C5
presented by:
GGFL LLP, Women’s Business Network, and Invest Ottawa
As part of International Women’s Day, join us for a transformative event dedicated to addressing the inequalities women entrepreneurs face in accessing capital to grow their businesses. This inspiring and actionable session will:
Shed light on the problem and the barriers women business owners face when raising funds.
Empower attendees with solutions and offer practical strategies and steps to overcome biases and improve your chances of securing the funding your business needs.
Meet the Panelists
Layla Darwish – Commercial Lender, BMO
With years of experience in commercial banking, Layla brings a wealth of knowledge on how women entrepreneurs can better position themselves for success in securing loans and credit.
Julie McClure – Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist and Founder of DoGood Ventures
A trailblazer in venture capital, Julie will share her unique perspective on accessing VC funding, navigating investment challenges, and unlocking growth opportunities.
Paula Hopkins and Sara Perron, Invest Ottawa’s Entrepreneurship Program
Paula Hopkins and Sara Perron from Invest Ottawa will share their firsthand experiences as entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of raising capital and highlight how Invest Ottawa supports the ambitions of new and growing women-led businesses.
Why Attend?
Whether you’re a woman entrepreneur seeking to grow your business, an advocate for gender equity, or simply passionate about supporting women leaders, this event will equip you with:
- Insights into breaking down systemic barriers.
- Tools to position your business for success in commercial lending, venture capital, and alternative funding.
- Connections with like-minded professionals and advocates.
Let’s work together to close the funding gap for women entrepreneurs and build a more inclusive, equitable financial landscape.
We’re gathering insights from women founders on the challenges of raising funds. Your input will help shape the conversation at Breaking Barriers: Women Entrepreneurs and Access to Capital.
Take the Survey
It’s quick, anonymous, and will contribute to building actionable solutions for a more equitable funding landscape.
Deadline to register is February 25 at 5pm.
Please note that we do not offer refunds. If you need to cancel, you will be issued a credit to use toward a future event if you cancel before the deadline.
After February 25, we will not be able to issue refunds, so please arrange to transfer your ticket to someone who can use it. If you are having difficulty registering or have inquiries about our membership, contact us for assistance.
