Funding Pathways Roundtable: Collective Wisdom
CapCons series creates community dialogues where founders and ecosystem builders explore funding solutions together. This event is part of the broader Capital Connect Program, in partnership with the Discovery Foundation.
Join us for our in-person kickoff as we launch this collaborative journey by exploring lived experiences and collective wisdom around funding pathways. This isn't just about sharing information—it's about co-creating solutions together as a community.
What to Expect | This facilitated community dialogue will bring together diverse voices from the ecosystem to share stories, identify challenges, and brainstorm actionable ideas to improve BC's funding pathways for women and gender-diverse founders. Through interactive activities, we'll center women founders as the experts of their own experience while building connections and practical solutions.
3:30 PM | Doors Open and Check-in
4:00 PM | Community Dialogue Activities
5:30 PM | Networking
Who Is This For
This is a founder-first community dialogue where we center the voices and experiences of women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs as the experts of their own funding journeys.
Founders (primary participants)
Seasoned founders ready to share their real experiences—both successes and challenges.
Early-stage founders exploring funding pathways and eager to contribute their questions, frustrations, and early learnings
Founders at any stage who want to help build solutions for founders, by founders
Ecosystem supporters (limited seats)
Funding facilitators who directly help founders access capital (dilutive/nondilutive)
Experienced ecosystem supporters who work extensively with founders and are frustrated with current gaps in the system
Note: Most ecosystem supporters in the room will serve as table moderators to help facilitate discussion and ensure all founder voices are heard.
Leading This Session
Facilitators:
Melanie Ewan - Operations Director & Managing Partner, Volition
Isabel Nolan - Director of Programs, Startup Canada
Table Stewards:
Melanie Rupp - Senior Director, Loans & Advisory Services, WeBC
Chelsea Sang - Head of Advisory Services, Export Navigator
Alisa Stephenson - Senior Business Development Manager, Futurpreneur
Candace Lauren - National Programs Manager, BEBC Society
Julie Bogle - Partner, BLG LLP
Charlene SanJenko - Lead Storyteller, The Fireweed Institute
Please Note:
Capacity: Spots are limited ensure meaningful dialogue and capture collective insights we'll share back with the community.
Registration: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis—we'll respond within 3-4 business days to confirm your spot at the event.
Data gathered serves multiple purposes: application assessment, tailoring our community dialogue activities, program reporting, and informing the development of a public knowledge hub. All individual responses remain confidential—insights will only be shared at an aggregate level.
—The Startup Women Empowerment Fund is powered by Startup Canada and Co-presented by UPS and Scotiabank Women Initiative. The fund supports community events that provide opportunities for early-stage, women-identifying entrepreneurs to connect to local and national partners across Canada.
— Driven By Women™ is a national BLG initiative that offers women in business and law a platform to connect, share ideas and support one another. Supported by BLG’s unparalleled expertise, experience and national reach, and in collaboration with community partners, Driven By Women™ is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and strengthening their access to the resources and support necessary for their continued success. Founded in 2016 by entrepreneurial second-year associate, Julie Bogle, the program has expanded from a grassroots initiative supporting local, women-led start-ups into a national, cross-industry platform.