Twelve women-led Canadian companies selected to attend start-up program in Silicon Valley
January 30, 2020, Toronto: The Canadian Consulate in Palo Alto has partnered with BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund to host the 2020 Women in Tech Silicon Valley Program. The program runs from February 25-27, 2020 and is tailor-made to help promising Canadian women-led companies accelerate their growth.
“Congratulations to the 12 Canadian women-led tech companies that are turning innovative ideas into thriving businesses,” said the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade. “Our government wants to help support more success stories like these ones, which is why we created Canada’s first-ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Through this strategy, we create national networks of support and mentorship and invest in financing opportunities, just like BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund.”
The 12 tech companies selected are women-led with proven business traction in their industry:
- Coconut Software
- conversationHEALTH
- Kiite
- MetaOptima Technology Inc.
- Moore & Gasperecz Global Inc
- ODAIA Intelligence
- Plum
- ProcedureFlow
- SalonScale Technology
- Sampler
- The Upside
- Zii Technologies
“For tech companies with global ambitions, Silicon Valley is a fantastic location to make connections and seize market opportunities,” said Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco. “Our goal is to bring women-led companies to San Francisco and Silicon Valley for an intensive three-day program that helps propel their growth and expand their network.”
The agenda for the three-day intense in-market program is designed to support the needs of the 12 companies selected. The companies will receive direct introductions and one-on-one meetings with, potential investors and strategic partners, participate in forums with local peers to share best practices, receive advice from local experts, and benefit from other networking opportunities.
“Our mandate is to support and grow great women tech leaders,” said Michelle Scarborough, Managing Partner, Strategic Investments and Women in Technology Venture Fund, BDC Capital. “What we have heard repeatedly from our portfolio and the ecosystem is they need help making strategic connections outside of Canada, so we are glad to be working with the Canadian Government to help propel the growth of women-led tech companies and to inspire more women to play strong leadership roles in tech.”
BDC has made it a priority to support the growth and success of women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business, through access to financing and capital, advice and resources. The $200 million Women in Technology Venture Fund is dedicated to investing in women-led technology companies and is helping to build a robust ecosystem to support women in tech and in investment roles today and in the future. Find out more at bdc.ca/womenintech.
About the Trade Commissioner Service
As part of Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps Canadian companies and organizations succeed globally. With trade offices across Canada and in 161 offices around the world, the TCS can provide Canadian businesses with on-the-ground intelligence, qualified contacts, partnership opportunities, and practical advice on foreign markets to help them make better, more timely and cost-effective decisions in order to achieve their goals abroad.
About BDC Capital
BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs. With over $3 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country’s most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital.
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