Future of Funding: How AI is Changing the Game
Exploring how AI can reduce barriers and increase founder agency in building strategic funding pathways across Canada
This is part of our 6-part Capital Conversations series, as part of the Capital Connect Program. This series is intentionally focused on women and gender-diverse founders; anonymized insights, resources, and ideas from all sessions will be shared publicly as a resource for the broader startup and innovation ecosystem.
What is it about?
AI is reshaping how funding decisions are made, but is it helping or hindering women founders? This is not a technical workshop or demo. Instead, it's a community dialogue where founders and ecosystem builders explore the real impact of AI on funding pathways.
Together, we’ll examine current realities and opportunities to discuss how AI can be designed to strengthen founder agency and actively reduce barriers for women founders.
📌 What to Expect
Explore what already exists and how AI is currently being used in funding processes
Engage in community dialogue about where AI could help with funding challenges
Ideate on founder-centered approaches for integrating AI into building funding pathways for women founders
⚠️ This isn't another workshop. Whether you're AI-curious, AI-experienced, or AI-skeptical, your experience and concerns will help shape how AI can better serve women founders navigating funding pathways.
🗣️Featured Speakers
Jennifer Ai – Founder and CEO, Leopard AI
👉 Who This Session is For
Founders & Entrepreneurs, whether you're just starting to think about funding strategies, actively preparing for investment, or further along and have successfully navigated funding gaps
Ecosystem Builders from accelerators, incubators, investors, funders, government representatives, academia, and support organizations interested in ensuring AI tools serve founders rather than create new barriers.
We prioritize participation from women and equity-deserving groups to ensure diverse voices shape these conversations. Please, read the full program criteria here.
💻 Leading This Session
Nicole Troster - Founder and CEO, Coeurage Labs
Melanie Ewan - Operations Director & Managing Partner, Volition
Please Note:
Capacity: Spots are limited to ensure meaningful dialogue and capture collective insights
Registration: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis—we'll respond within 3-4 business days to confirm your spot at the event
The CapCons Series are part of the Capital Connect Program; the goal is to create space for founders and ecosystem builders to engage in candid community dialogues about both challenges and solutions for building strategic funding pathways in BC.