FrontFundr, a Canadian online private market investment platform, and The51, a financial feminist platform that promotes democratized access to capital for women-led businesses, recently announced the launch of a new collaborative pilot. They feature promising startups and growth companies featured on both platforms. By working together, the two organizations hope to address the gaps that exist in access to capital. Because of this, they hope to create a more accessible and inclusive investment ecosystem for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Companies coming together
This collaboration will begin with a select group of women-led organizations highlighted on both The51 and FrontFundr’s platforms. This approach increases awareness and distribution for the companies’ fundraising campaigns. The organizations receive joint access to both The51’s community of over 10,000 and FrontFundr’s investor community of over 20,000 members. Users will be able to access and invest in these campaigns online from as little as $250.
Access to capital
This collaboration was developed around a shared mandate. It focuses on championing women founders and investors to unlock the investment potential of the wider community. This stems from women’s unequal access to funding and capital. The economic effects of COVID-19 only exacerbate the problem. Women-led startups receive less than three percent of venture capital available worldwide. Likewise, they only represent 12 percent of venture capitalists.
“The collaboration between FrontFundr and The51 is a chance to further The51’s mission to democratize access to women-led capital by opening up investment opportunities to those who traditionally might not fall into an accredited investor category,” explains Shelley Kuipers, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The51. “We know that women’s spending power is also influential capital. By voting with their dollars, they can support missions that are purposeful and the companies that deliver products and services designed for them.”
“A lot more needs to be done to address inequalities in capital raising and investing. One of the most urgent areas for improvement is providing women-led businesses and women investors with equal access and opportunity,” says Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, Founder and CEO of FrontFundr. “Our mission is to democratize access to the private markets for all Canadians. We could not be more excited to launch this partnership and help deliver on this all-important mission.”
Companies featured
The first group of companies co-listed on the two platforms includes:
- Geenees Giving – A social gifting platform for families in need that creates impact, connection, trust and community. The platform facilitates product and service donations, attracts new types of donors to nonprofit organizations, eliminates unnecessary volunteer hours and delivers to families directly and anonymously.
- Paws En Route – Paws En Route is a pet transportation company which uses technology and a human touch to transport pets in a safe, friendly and fun environment. The company provides a pet air travel service as well as local and long-haul ground transportation with pet experienced and pet loving drivers. Their mission is transportation for any pet, any time, any place.
- joni – A purpose-based period care company offering Canada’s first one-for-one model to make sustainable and innovative products accessible to everyone who needs them. joni launched their direct-to-consumer channel with biodegradable and organic bamboo pads in 2020. They are looking to expand their line of innovative period care products in 2021. The company aims to drive period equity in Canada.
You can learn more about the collaboration and future plans on the official landing page.
About The51
The51 is a Financial Feminist platform where investors, entrepreneurs and those who aspire to be. They come together for democratized access to women-led capital for women-led businesses. Users build mutual wealth and social/environmental impact, share knowledge and experiences, and become influential investors, innovators and consumers. Together, they build the financial feminist economy.
About FrontFundr
FrontFundr is Canada’s leading online private markets investing platform and an exempt market dealer. It provides startups and growth companies access to capital and gives investors access to private companies they believe in and want to support. It provides a community of over 20,000 investors with the ability to review and complete private placements on one digital platform. The company’s technology allows users across Canada to invest in innovative growth businesses in under 12 minutes, starting from as little as $250. To date, it has helped more than 60 companies raise over $60 million.
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