Capital & Connections: The Funding Playbook for Female Founders
Raising capital can be one of the most challenging parts of building and scaling a business. Understanding your funding options, knowing what investors are looking for, and preparing your business for the right opportunities can make all the difference.
Join IDEA Mississauga for The Funding Playbook: Capital Strategies for Women Founders, a breakfast event bringing together women entrepreneurs, investors, and funding experts for a candid conversation about navigating the capital-raising journey.
Through an engaging panel discussion, attendees will hear firsthand perspectives on accessing capital, preparing for investment, avoiding common fundraising pitfalls, and building stronger funding strategies.
What you’ll learn
How to navigate different funding and investment opportunities
What investors look for when evaluating a business
How to prepare your business for conversations with funders and investors
Common fundraising challenges and how founders can approach them
Lessons and insights from founders who have navigated the funding journey
The morning will also provide an opportunity to connect with founders, investors, ecosystem partners, and business support organizations from across the GTA.
Who should attend?
Women founders and entrepreneurs who are exploring funding opportunities, preparing to raise capital, or looking to strengthen their understanding of the funding ecosystem.
Featured Panelists:
Dr. Shirook Ali - Founder and CEO of Ecosystem Informatics Inc. (ESI)
Dr. Shirook Ali is the Founder and CEO of Ecosystem Informatics Inc. (ESI), a Canadian ambient intelligence company delivering real-time environmental intelligence for industries, infrastructure, and communities.
With more than two decades of experience in technology development and commercialization, including 10 years at BlackBerry, she has led ESI from idea to global commercialization—building patented technology, assembling a multidisciplinary team around a shared vision, raising capital, securing strategic partners, and entering international markets.
Her work combines technology, business, and impact, helping industries improve compliance, safety, productivity, and decision-making while giving communities better access to environmental intelligence. As a female deep-tech founder, she brings firsthand experience in building teams, fundraising, navigating growth, and turning a mission-driven vision into a scalable company.
Miryam Lazarte - Founder and CEO of Global Startups Accelerator and General Partner at GSA Ventures
Miryam Lazarte is the Founder and CEO of Global Startups Accelerator and General Partner at GSA Ventures, where she supports immigrant-led and globally minded tech startups expanding into North America. Since 2016, she has helped more than 340 technology companies launch and scale, including startups that have achieved unicorn status. Originally from Colombia, Miryam is a recognized ecosystem builder, investor, and advocate for inclusive innovation, helping connect international founders with capital, markets, and growth opportunities across Canada and beyond. She was named one of Canada's 10 Most Influential Hispanic-Canadians and received Startup Canada's Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Sola Oluwole, PMP, MSc - Co-Founder and Director of 3G Action Consulting
Sola Oluwole, PMP, MSc, is Co-Founder and Director of 3G Action Consulting, where she helps entrepreneurs become investment and funding ready through strategic financial planning, capital readiness, and business growth advisory. With more than 18 years of experience spanning development finance, consulting, and entrepreneurship, Sola has supported hundreds of founders in accessing capital, strengthening their financial foundations, and scaling their businesses with confidence. She is a passionate advocate for financial inclusion and is dedicated to helping women and underrepresented entrepreneurs navigate the funding landscape and build sustainable businesses.
Moderated by:
Sneha Punwani is the Supervisor of the IDEA Innovation Hub and leads strategic entrepreneurship programs focused on founder growth, investment readiness, and ecosystem development. Through her leadership of EmpowHER Tech Launchpad, she has supported numerous women founders in strengthening their businesses, expanding their networks, and preparing for funding opportunities. Today, she brings her experience working directly with founders, investors, and industry partners to guide our discussion on navigating the funding landscape.
Registration is required. Space is limited.