BDC WIT StartupFest en 1
BDC WIT StartupFest en 1
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Startupfest Launches Women In Technology Boot Camp

The new Women In Technology Boot Camp at Montreal's Startupfest is designed to help pre-seed to seed-stage technology companies founded or led by women learn what it takes to build a tech startup and connect with the resources they need to grow their business, such as woman-focused accelerators and investors.  

MONTREAL — BDC Capital, the largest and most active venture capital investor in Canada, has renewed its partnership with Startupfest, the biggest start-up conference in the country. Through this partnership, BDC Capital and Startupfest will continue to co-host Scaleupfest, the premium fest created together in 2016 focused on founders in the series A gap looking to scale.  Scaleupfest will take place on July 11.  BDC Capital will also support Startupfest’s Inclusion Initiative, which will give entrepreneurs who are underrepresented in the tech industry access to the Startupfest conference.

New this year, BDC Capital will be launching a Women in Technology (WIT) Boot Camp, which will be hosted at the Startupfest Village. WIT Boot Camp is designed to help pre-seed to seed-stage technology companies founded or led by women learn what it takes to build a tech startup and connect with the resources they need to grow their business, such as woman-focused accelerators and investors.

“This can’t-miss half-day session promises to provide direct access to key actors in the tech space that will share candid stories about their journey and tips on how women entrepreneurs can overcome similar situations,” said Michelle Scarborough, managing director, Strategic Investments and Women in Tech at BDC Capital. “BDC Capital is committed to fostering a robust network to support and encourage women in technology and help in creating the next generation of Canadian women technology entrepreneurs.”

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“The full and equal participation of women in the economy is essential to Canada’s future competitiveness. The Government announced Canada’s First Women Entrepreneurship Strategy in Budget 2018, a nearly $2B investment to help women grow their businesses and gain access to financing, talent, networks and expertise. BDC is an integral partner in the delivery of this strategy, and the Boot Camps are a way of ensuring that promising women entrepreneurs looking to start a business have the financial and business literacy skills required to succeed,” said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and tourism.

For Philippe Telio, the founder and producer of Startupfest, this renewed partnership with BDC Capital is a sign of the preeminent role Startupfest has assumed in Canada’s start-up ecosystem over the years.  “BDC Capital has been a supporter of Startupfest since its very inception,” said Telio. “We are excited to see the event grow and continue its mandate of inclusivity and continued support of all entrepreneurs, while creating more opportunity for underserved groups in technology.”

The WIT Boot Camp will be held July 11 during the afternoon at the Startupfest Village. Two hundred passes have been reserved for female entrepreneurs through the Startupfest Inclusion Initiative. Apply before June 22 to attend. Selected companies will be eligible for a discounted $50 ticket to Startupfest. Please wait to hear back about your application to the WIT Boot Camp before buying your tickets to Startupfest.

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