Investing in Canadian SMEs: Competition and Financing for Economic Growth
Access to competitive financing remains a key hurdle that can determine whether an innovative idea flourishes or flounders. At the same time, new market entrants, alternative lenders, and fintech disruptors are reshaping the competitive landscape and expanding funding options. This interactive roundtable brings together entrepreneurs, finance providers, and innovation leaders to explore practical strategies and real-world experiences related to financing and competition for SMEs.
The session will spotlight:
The latest trends in SME funding, including alternative and digital financing sources
How competition amongst finance providers translates into innovative offerings for SMEs
How policy and regulation can foster a fair, innovative, and inclusive financing ecosystem
Don't miss your chance to engage in this important discussion, sign up now.
This roundtable discussion is presented by the Competition Bureau of Canada.
PLEASE NOTE: This session is a part of the Startup Canada Tour - Mississauga, which is a ticketed event.
To attend this session, you must have a valid ticket. Register here. This is an in-person session only.
Speakers:
Flore Kouadio, Acting Manager, Competition Promotion Branch, Competition Bureau Canada
Flore currently serves as an Acting Manager within the Policy, Planning, and Advocacy Directorate at the Competition Bureau Canada, where she plays a key role in advancing advocacy initiatives.
Prior to joining the Bureau, she practiced as a lawyer in Montréal, specializing in commercial and private international law at prominent law firms. Her expertise extends to thought leadership, as she has authored articles and delivered presentations at events across Canada and internationally, contributing to discourse on critical legal and policy matters.
Flore holds an LL.M. from the Université de Sherbrooke and completed her legal studies at McGill University in Montréal and Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Ivory Coast.
Ann Minu Jose, Senior Competition Law Officer, Competition Promotion Branch, Competition Bureau Canada
Ann is a Senior Competition Law Officer within the Policy, Planning, and Advocacy Directorate at the Competition Bureau Canada, where she engages in various advocacy initiatives for promoting competition.
She is a seasoned legal and competition policy expert with experience spanning both government and corporate sectors. Before joining the Bureau, she spent several years in private practice, specializing in mergers and acquisitions and as an in-house legal counsel for leading organizations. She also brings deep international expertise from her tenure at the Indian antitrust regulator - Competition Commission of India, where she supported major antitrust investigations.
Ann holds an honours LL.B from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, and an LL.M from the London School of Economics.
Carleen Dehaney, Founder of FXO Consulting
Carleen Dehaney is a seasoned Executive, CPA, and Founder of FXO Consulting, where she leads strategic financial initiatives and implementation for service-based businesses and nonprofits. With over two decades of experience, including as a CFO, she brings boardroom-level insight to the challenges facing today’s entrepreneurs and executive leaders.
Guided by the belief that financial strategy is a driver of sustainable growth, Carleen helps leaders move from vision to execution, building the financial infrastructure needed for long-term success.
She was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 and featured in CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Carleen is regularly called on for her expertise in operational scaling, strategic planning, and risk management. She also serves on the Board of Startup Canada, championing inclusive access to capital and innovation across the SME landscape.
Connect with Carleen on LinkedIn for insights into financial leadership, actionable strategy, and her journey as a purpose-driven entrepreneur.
Alieu Jallow, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Specialist, City of Mississauga. (IDEA Mississauga)
Alieu is dynamic and innovative leader, renowned entrepreneur, and seasoned executive with an impressive track record in the entrepreneurship ecosystem across Africa, Europe, and North America. With a decade of experience in supporting and building ventures, he is well-versed in innovation, sustainable business strategy, and startup consulting. Alieu holds a master's degree in management innovation and entrepreneurship from Queen’s University.
Alieu Jallow is the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Specialist at the City of Mississauga. He leads the Step-Up Program at IDEA Mississauga, which provides support to post-MVP companies in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and information technology, helping them scale effectively. Alieu also collaborates with ecosystem partners to enhance Mississauga's innovation ecosystem.
In 2015, Alieu founded The Gambia's first business incubator, Startup Incubator Gambia, where he served as Founder & CEO. Under his leadership, the incubator supported over 1,500 startups and created over 1,000 jobs in various sectors, including fashion, agriculture, technology, and more. Alieu has also worked in the biomedical industry, focusing on finding ways to bring early-stage healthcare technology to validate their business model and provide clinical value.
Alieu also serves as the Director of Sector Innovation at Foresight Canada, Canada's number one cleantech accelerator. In this role, he leads the sector-specific NEXT Initiatives, where he applies his expertise to drive innovation and sustainable growth across various industries. Alieu's work has earned him a reputation as a thought leader and visionary in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and he continues to inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals as Professor at St. Lawrence college and Toronto Metropolitan University.
Mana Nikaeen, VP Financing for GTA West, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
s an accomplished Financial Services executive with over 22 years of leadership experience spanning Sales, Corporate Banking, Finance, and Risk Management. She currently serves as Vice President, Financing at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Mana is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds a Master of Finance (MFin) from the Rotman School of Management. Mana is director on the board of JVS Toronto. She is deeply committed to career mentorship and actively volunteers with organizations such as United Way, TRIEC, CFA Society Toronto.