Jan 17, 2023

4 minute read Founders of Clearco, Virtual Gurus, SoYoung Inc headline Canada’s largest, free, digital conference for women entrepreneurs COBOURG, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)– #StrikeUP –Canada’s largest digital conference is back and open for women entrepreneurs to register. StrikeUP Canada, hosted by NCFDC in partnership with The Scotiabank Women Initiative® and Export Development Canada is the nation’s largest digital event dedicated to women entrepreneurs and to supporting their entrepreneurial development. StrikeUP 2023 is a free digital conference on March 2, 2023, featuring keynotes, panels, workshops, chatrooms, video networking and support resources as the kick-off signature event to launch International Women’s Month. This year’s event will also be piloting live viewing parties from coast-to-coast, granting opportunities for attendees to connect in-person with their local community of women entrepreneurs to watch the broadcast together. “Women are making an impact in the Canadian economy and StrikeUP 2023 will once again offer an inclusive and welcoming space for women entrepreneurs and industry experts to gather, learn, and connect with one another.” said Wendy Curtis, Executive Director of NCFDC. “This year, with the support of our growth partners, we are pleased to extend our reach offline through live viewing parties in further efforts to provide women opportunities to expand their networks.” The theme of StrikeUP 2023 is ‘Growing Forward’ – supporting women entrepreneurs through critical milestones in their entrepreneurial journey, with a targeted focus on strategic key decisions to help them scale and grow their business. Featured speakers include Michele Romanow, Co-Founder and CEO of Clearco , Bobbie Racette, Founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus , Patrice Mousseau, Founder and CEO of Satya Organic Skin Care , Catherine Choi, Founder of SoYoung Inc , and Amber Mac, President of Amber Mac Media Inc .. It will also once again feature an Indigenous Programme stream, dedicated to elevating and sharing the stories of Indigenous women entrepreneurs and includes speakers Michaelee Lazore, Founder of Sequoia , Natalie Dusome, Founder and Designer of Poppy and Peonies , and Kahentawaks Tiewishaw, Art Director of Revital Software . “Women entrepreneurs have so much to contribute to Canada. That is why we created the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund. So far, almost 17,000 women in southern Ontario have received support, including more than 500 Indigenous women entrepreneurs. This is going to help drive inclusive, innovative economic growth across southern Ontario.” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. StrikeUP is supported by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) . The conference is available with French and English captions and will open with a traditional welcome by Elder Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. Visit www.strikeup.ca for full conference details and free registration. About StrikeUP StrikeUP Canada is Canada’s flagship digital conference uniting women entrepreneurs and the women entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a united vision of equity and inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship. Founded by NCFDC and presented in partnership with The Scotiabank Women Initiative ® and Export Development Canada , StrikeUP 2023 showcases the diversity and ambition of Canada’s women entrepreneurs through an accessible program focused on growth, funding, networking, digital adoption and global opportunities. Find out more about StrikeUP’s mission, vision, and community at strikeup.ca . About FedDev Ontario For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario , has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects , our Southern Ontario Spotlight , and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn . Contacts