Events & Resources for Women
Entrepreneurs Across Canada

Canada’s free digital event & resource hub for women entrepreneurs providing networking, business growth support and funding opportunities.

Explore Everything StrikeUP Has to Offer

Funding opportunities designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs.

High-impact virtual events with inspiring speakers, practical strategies and real-world insights.

Webinars connecting women entrepreneurs directly with experts on topics that
matter to your business.

On-demand resources, templates and tools to accelerate your
business growth.

COMING SOON

Two Free Event Series for Women Entrepreneurs

StrikeUP runs two free event series for women entrepreneurs across Canada — deeper programming when you need it, shorter sessions when your schedule is tight. Both are 100% free to attend and built around a community of founders who get it.

Two-hour mini-conferences

Expert keynotes, panel conversations and community — built around where you are in your business journey. Each Signature session goes deep on the topics that move your business forward every step of the way.

One-hour webinars

Timely topics, expert voices and real conversation with a community of founders who get it. Designed to be worth your hour and easy to fit into a busy week.

Upcoming Events

Register for what’s next. All StrikeUP events are free — save your spot below.

Global Entrepreneurship Scaling and Trade

Presented in partnership with The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub

Many entrepreneurs dream of growing beyond their local market—but what does it actually take to scale nationally or internationally?

Join StrikeUP and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)‘s Dr. Wendy Cukier, the Founder of the Diversity Institute and Academic Director of WEKH, for a conversation exploring the opportunities, challenges and emerging trends shaping global entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re beginning to think about expansion or preparing for your next stage of growth, this session will provide valuable insights to help you think strategically about scaling your business.

As always, a live Q&A follows so you can dig deeper into the findings that matter most to you.

What you'll learn:

Signature Series: From Survival To Strategy

​Presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Running a business is hard. Running it strategically, while also wearing every hat, is even harder. But there is a point where the hustle alone stops working, and intention has to take over.

This StrikeUP Signature Series event is built for women entrepreneurs who are ready to make that shift. We will dig into business growth tactics, pricing and financial management, and the leadership decisions that define whether a business plateaus or scales.

Our panel features women entrepreneurs who have navigated these exact crossroads and found their footing, sharing what actually worked and what they would do differently. Real stories, real strategies.

Leave with tools to build a more intentional business, a clearer sense of where capital and support can play a role, and a room full of women who are right there with you.

Inside of the Event:

StrikeUP by the Numbers

Since launching, StrikeUP has connected more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs across 71+ countries, supported by 109+ ecosystem partners and every event is free to attend.

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The StrikeUP Difference

Free, always.

Every Signature Series mini-conference and Connects Series webinar is 100% free to attend — no membership, no paywall.

A national community.

Join a network of 25,000+ women entrepreneurs across Canada and beyond.

A path to capital.

Beyond events, StrikeUP's founder Nventure runs the DELIA loan fund — so growth support and funding live under one roof.

Programming that fits your schedule.

Go deep with two-hour Signature sessions, or grab a focused hour with a Connects webinar.

Real expertise, real conversation.

Learn from expert keynotes and panelists, then connect with founders who actually get what you're building.

Funding for Women-Owned Businesses: The DELIA Loan Fund

up to $50K
loans

Online
application

National
availability

DELIA is a national women entrepreneurship loan fund powered by Nventure, StrikeUP’s founder, providing loans to women-owned and women-operated businesses across Canada.

Backed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), DELIA offers microloans up to $50,000 to qualifying women-owned businesses for start-up, stabilization and expansion. Applications are fast and fully online, with a focus on reaching diverse, intersectional and under-served women entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to capital.

COMING SOON

Something new is on the way. The Business Vault will give women entrepreneurs on-demand access to the tools, resources, and expert knowledge that help businesses grow available whenever you need them. We’re building it now.

Want first access?

By providing your email address you consent to receive electronic communications from StrikeUP Canada, about upcoming events and resources. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in our emails or by contacting us at info@strikeup.ca.

Your Questions, Answered

StrikeUP is Canada's free digital programming for women entrepreneurs. We run two event series — the Signature Series (two-hour mini-conferences) and the Connects Series (one-hour webinars) — plus access to funding through the DELIA loan fund. Everything we run is free to attend.

StrikeUP events are 100% free. There's no membership fee and no paywall — just register for the session you want to join.

The Signature Series features two-hour mini-conferences with expert keynotes, panels, and community, built around your stage of business. The Connects Series features one-hour webinars on timely topics — shorter sessions for when your schedule is tight.

Our events are designed for women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs across Canada — and the business support organizations that champion them. Participants have joined from 71+ countries, so you're welcome wherever you are.

Browse the Upcoming Events section on this page and register through the event link. You'll receive joining details by email before the session.

Just a browser and an internet connection. Most sessions run on Zoom — we'll send everything you need ahead of time.

Yes — registrants receive replay access after each session so you can rewatch at your own pace.

DELIA is a national women entrepreneurship loan fund powered by Nventure, StrikeUP's founder. It provides loans up to $50,000 to qualifying women-owned businesses across Canada for start-up, stabilization, and expansion, with the support of FedDev Ontario and ISED Canada. Applications are completed online at www.strikeup.ca/delia.

The Business Vault is coming soon. Join our newsletter to be the first to know when it opens.

Sign up for our newsletter and follow StrikeUP on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Threads. New events are posted in the Upcoming Events section as they're confirmed.

Speak at a StrikeUP Event

Have practical insights, real-world experience or a fresh perspective to share with women entrepreneurs across Canada?

StrikeUP welcomes applications from engaging speakers for keynotes, panels and webinars.

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Mia Fiona Kut

PANELIST

CEO and Founder, Luna Nectar

Mia Fiona Kut is the founder of Luna Nectar, a sustainable, adaptogenic haircare brand with the mission to kick the stigma of women’s hair loss. Growing up with Eastern traditional medicinal herbs to ease her health and scalp issues, she aims to share the power of adaptogens with the world.

 

During an 8-year stint in the film industry as a writer and director of multiple award-winning short films (including a nomination for Best Canadian Short Film at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival), Mia launched Luna Nectar, and earned the 2019 BC Business 30 Under 30 Award. Since then, she was the recipient of the 2023 Visa She’s Next Award, and is currently a nominee for the 2024 YWCA Women of Distinction in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

 

Her all-natural, waterless innovation Moon Boost Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum (an alternative to harmful chemical-based, hormone-disrupting lash enhancers), has been named as ‘Best Vegan Lash Serum’ in Vogue and ‘Top 10 Lash Serums’ in Women’s Health Magazine, and has garnered a ‘Best Hair Treatment’ nomination for the CertClean Awards, and ‘Best Haircare Innovation Award’ from BeautyMatter’s Next Awards.

 

She is a lover of hiking, horseback riding, tennis and exploring a growth mindset. 

Katrina Ramdath

Panelist

Katrina Ramdath, Ecopreneur, second-generation entrepreneur and Owner of Core Sales Inc., a Canadian family-run company specializing exclusively in certified compostable foodservice packaging.

 

Entrepreneurship was part of Katrina’s life from an early age. Her late father started Core Sales Inc., from the family basement, and officially joining the business after completing her studies. When her father passed away unexpectedly in 2012, Katrina stepped into leadership, navigating grief while learning to lead the company he had built.

 

Today, Katrina leads Core Sales into its 29th year, helping cafés, restaurants, distributors, agencies, and food brands transition from traditional plastics to practical compostable solutions. Her experience as a second-generation business owner has shaped her passion for resilience, sustainability, and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Robyn Flynn

Panel Moderator

Podcast Producer & Owner, Le Studio Quinze

Robyn Flynn is an award-winning media professional with more than 15 years of experience in radio, podcast production, content creation and social media marketing. She is the founder of Studio Quinze on Montreal’s South Shore, where she helps businesses, organizations and creators bring their ideas to life through audio, video and digital content.

 

A longtime broadcaster and experienced interviewer, Robyn brings a passion for storytelling, conversation and connecting with audiences across platforms.

chris mcmartin

opening remarks welcome

Business Banking National Lead, The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Chris McMartin leads The Scotiabank Women Initiative Business Banking Strategy across Canada. Chris took on this role to help build and enhance a program that helps women overcome the challenges they face on their path to success when starting, sustaining, and growing a business. Chris loves to speak about women entrepreneurs and building impactful relationships; you may have had the opportunity to hear her on one of her podcast interviews or perhaps shared some laughs as she moderated an engaging panel.

 

Chris joined Scotiabank in 2008 as a Financial Advisor. In 2012 Chris progressed to the role of Business Banking Advisor where she found her passion for Business which she carried with her throughout her career to date.

 

Chris also has a passion for people which has led her to champion equity initiatives through many diversity, equity and inclusion roles within the bank. Outside of Scotiabank, Chris also sits on the Canadian Women Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board. Chris believes in the power of mentorship and participates as a mentor for StartUp Canada Women and Laurier Women Investment Society. Chris has been named 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence.

 

At home Chris leads another team; she is a mom of four. Chris has three young men and a young daughter that keep her on her toes. Chris loves being with her family especially if it is outdoors; add in a campfire and she is very happy!

SARAH STOCKDALE

Keynote Speaker

Founder & CEO, Growclass

Sarah Stockdale is the Founder and CEO of Growclass, an award-winning education company helping women and underrepresented professionals learn practical skills in marketing and AI to grow their careers. Growclass has a global alumni network of thousands of founders and marketers.

In her limited spare time, Sarah is also a Co-Host of Pagenerd, a popular scifi book club podcast.

Chantal Lavergne

PANELIST

Founder, Oh Colour Me

Chantal Lavergne is the founder of Oh Color Me, a Canadian company creating simple and bold coloring books designed to make creativity more accessible and less overwhelming. Inspired by her family’s experiences with ADHD and autism, she developed a collection of mini coloring books that encourage people of all ages to unplug, slow down, and enjoy moments of calm.

Drawing on more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Chantal has grown Oh Color Me into a brand carried by over 300+ retailers across Canada and the United States in less than 2 years. Passionate about creativity, innovation, and building businesses with purpose, she enjoys sharing her journey as a founder and advocating for products that support well-being and connection.

Ina Maria Toncescu

Panel Moderator

Founder & CEO, noLMIT Marketing

Ina Maria Toncescu is a marketing strategist with over 17 years of experience helping businesses grow with focus, purpose, and measurable results. Across small business, non-profit, and government sectors, she’s led transformative marketing strategies, built systems that last, and landed multi-million-dollar deals using the same frameworks she teaches today. As the founder of noLMIT Marketing, Ina works with clients through corporate marketing training, digital strategy building, website development, search and AI engine optimization, email marketing, and more.

 

Her philosophy is simple: in a world obsessed with AI and flashy branding, the businesses that win are the ones that get the foundations right, storytelling, strategic systems, and genuine connection with the people they serve.

Géraldine Jippé

PANELIST

Founder, Bloossoming House/Co-Founder at AssetsWaves

Géraldine Jippé is the founder of Bloossoming House, a curated ecosystem empowering female founders to thrive and access capital, the creator and host of the Female Founders Networking Breakfast, and the co-founder of AssetsWaves, a blockchain-based platform designed to facilitate digital asset investments.

Domenique Mastronardi

PANELIST

President, Beck’s Broth

Domenique Mastronardi is the President of Beck’s Broth, an innovative collection of bone-broth-based drinks including hot chocolate and coffee. Her specialty is developing and commercializing sustainable foods that are healthy, delicious, and profitable. She heads up Finance and Operations at Beck’s Broth, and just closed their $500K seed round!

Vivian Kaye

Keynote Speaker

Founder, KinkyCurlyYaki

Vivian Kaye is a serial entrepreneur and business educator who bootstrapped KinkyCurlyYaki, a beauty product-based e-commerce brand, to seven figures without outside funding. With over 15 years of experience in operations, inventory management, and digital commerce, she has mentored 1300+ entrepreneurs through programs with Amazon, Shopify, Toronto Public Library, and Humber College’s Longo School of Business.

Featured in The New York Times, Toronto Star, and on CityTV’s Cityline, Vivian has partnered with brands including American Express Canada. Porsche Canada and Desjardins Bank. She brings practical, founder-to-founder insights on building sustainable businesses, scaling without massive budgets, and staying authentic while growing. Her direct, no-nonsense approach cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually works.