FOUNDHERS is a Canada-based venture studio reimagining who gets to build the future. We partner with the next generation of transformational entrepreneurs: diverse women visionaries building scalable ventures, good jobs, and new economic engines in Canada and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
We are builders as much as we are backers. Our team provides hands-on support from idea to scale, embedding strategic capital, deep operational expertise, and trusted networks into every venture we help launch. As a cross-border catalyst, FOUNDHERS is also forging new pathways between Canada and MENA, unlocking untapped opportunities in both emerging and established markets.
Our ambition
To become the most impactful and highest-returning venture studio for underestimated founders in the world.
Our Mission
To pave the way for Canadian women to lead the digital and green economy.
Our Vision
Our AMbition
We envision a future where women entrepreneurs are at the forefront of technological innovation, creating scalable businesses that drive economic growth and social progress.
To become the most impactful and highest-returning venture studio for underestimated founders in the world.
Our Vision
We envision a future where women entrepreneurs are at the forefront of technological innovation, creating scalable businesses that drive economic growth and social progress.
WHAT WE OFFER
Supporting women-led tech
We provide tech-first led by woman, ensuring they have the mentorship and funding to launch education and global relevance
Low-cost program with high-value resources
We remove cost barriers without compromising on quality. Our Programming includes 1:1 advisory, legal accounting support and connections to the investors.
Culturally Specific programming
Our curiculum is designed with cultural in mind-recognizing the identity, experience on community shape how women lead and build.
Emphasis on scalable, venture-ready business
We help founders prototypes, from product-market to go-to-market strategy, we focus on building business that are investable and positioned for scale
WHAT WE OFFER
Supporting women-led tech
We provide tech-first led by woman, ensuring they have the mentorship and funding to launch education and global relevance
Low-cost program with high-value resources
We remove cost barriers without compromising on quality. Our Programming includes 1:1 advisory, legal accounting support and connections to the investors.
Culturally Specific programming
Our curiculum is designed with cultural in mind-recognizing the identity, experience on community shape how women lead and build.
Emphasis on scalable, venture-ready business
We help founders prototypes, from product-market to go-to-market strategy, we focus on building business that are investable and positioned for scale
WHAT WE OFFER
Supporting women-led tech
We provide tech-first led by woman, ensuring they have the mentorship and funding to launch education and global relevance
Low-cost program with high-value resources
We remove cost barriers without compromising on quality. Our Programming includes 1:1 advisory, legal accounting support and connections to the investors.
Culturally Specific programming
Our curiculum is designed with cultural in mind-recognizing the identity, experience on community shape how women lead and build.
Emphasis on scalable, venture-ready business
We help founders prototypes, from product-market to go-to-market strategy, we focus on building business that are investable and positioned for scale
PROGRAM TEAM
PROGRAM TEAM
Cierra Madore
Senior Program Advisor
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Cierra Madore
Senior Program Advisor
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Cierra Madore
Senior Program Advisor
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Cierra Madore
Senior Program Advisor
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Peta-Ann Leon
Program Manager
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Peta-Ann Leon
Program Manager
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Peta-Ann Leon
Program Manager
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Peta-Ann Leon
Program Manager
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Layla Freig, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Layla Freig, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Layla Freig, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Layla Freig, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Anna Hope Kabongo MBA
Investment Associate
FoundHers Labs | Pitch BetterInc.
Anna Hope Kabongo MBA
Investment Associate
FoundHers Labs | Pitch BetterInc.
Anna Hope Kabongo MBA
Investment Associate
FoundHers Labs | Pitch BetterInc.
Anna Hope Kabongo MBA
Investment Associate
FoundHers Labs | Pitch BetterInc.
Stella Igweamaka, MBA
Research & Resources Development Consultant
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Stella Igweamaka, MBA
Research & Resources Development Consultant
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Stella Igweamaka, MBA
Research & Resources Development Consultant
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Stella Igweamaka, MBA
Research & Resources Development Consultant
FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.
Mariah Pelley-Smith
Brand Consultant
Brand Architect | Tech Innovator
Mariah Pelley-Smith
Brand Consultant
Brand Architect | Tech Innovator
Mariah Pelley-Smith
Brand Consultant
Brand Architect | Tech Innovator
Mariah Pelley-Smith
Brand Consultant
Brand Architect | Tech Innovator
FoundHers Innovation Labs is an initiative inspired by the groundbreaking 2021 "FoundHers" research study, conducted by Pitch Better in collaboration with the Canadian Women's Foundation. This comprehensive study, encompassing 1,545 Black women founders across Canada and 126 focus group participants, revealed critical insights:
58%
of Black women founders hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
The Canadian Women's Foundation, a national charity dedicated to empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality, and combating poverty and violence, provided invaluable support for this initiative. Their backing has been instrumental in bringing these crucial issues to light and fostering positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape for Black women in Canada.
FoundHers Innovation Labs is an initiative inspired by the groundbreaking 2021 "FoundHers" research study, conducted by Pitch Better in collaboration with the Canadian Women's Foundation. This comprehensive study, encompassing 1,545 Black women founders across Canada and 126 focus group participants, revealed critical insights:
58%
of Black women founders hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
The Canadian Women's Foundation, a national charity dedicated to empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality, and combating poverty and violence, provided invaluable support for this initiative. Their backing has been instrumental in bringing these crucial issues to light and fostering positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape for Black women in Canada.
FoundHers Innovation Labs is an initiative inspired by the groundbreaking 2021 "FoundHers" research study, conducted by Pitch Better in collaboration with the Canadian Women's Foundation. This comprehensive study, encompassing 1,545 Black women founders across Canada and 126 focus group participants, revealed critical insights:
58%
of Black women founders hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
The Canadian Women's Foundation, a national charity dedicated to empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality, and combating poverty and violence, provided invaluable support for this initiative. Their backing has been instrumental in bringing these crucial issues to light and fostering positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape for Black women in Canada.
FoundHers Innovation Labs is an initiative inspired by the groundbreaking 2021 "FoundHers" research study, conducted by Pitch Better in collaboration with the Canadian Women's Foundation. This comprehensive study, encompassing 1,545 Black women founders across Canada and 126 focus group participants, revealed critical insights:
58%
of Black women founders hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
The Canadian Women's Foundation, a national charity dedicated to empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality, and combating poverty and violence, provided invaluable support for this initiative. Their backing has been instrumental in bringing these crucial issues to light and fostering positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape for Black women in Canada.
CURRENT PARTNERS
CURRENT PARTNERS
CURRENT PARTNERS
CURRENT PARTNERS
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is part of the Women and Nonbinary Impact Network for Venture Capital (WIN-VC) collective that will make the venture capital environment more inclusive for women by transforming traditional investment processes, processes and knowledge into respectful and meaningful approaches that value equity and impact with a focus on diverse women and non-binary entrepreneurs and SMEs including Black communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, persons with a disability, 2SLGBTQI+ and new Canadians. WIN-VC acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada
Le Fondation Canadienne de Femmes et WIN-VC est reconnaissant du soutien apporté par Innovation, Science et Développement économique (ISED) Canada. L'ISED a accordé un financement à WIN-VC qui rendra l'environnement du capital-risque plus inclusif pour les femmes en transformant les processus d'investissement traditionnels, les processus et les connaissances en approches respectueuses et significatives qui valorisent l'équité et l'impact en mettant l'accent sur les femmes diverses et les entrepreneurs non binaires et les PME, y compris les communautés noires, les peuples autochtones, les populations racialisées, les personnes handicapées, les 2SLGBTQ2+ et les néo-Canadiens.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is part of the Women and Nonbinary Impact Network for Venture Capital (WIN-VC) collective that will make the venture capital environment more inclusive for women by transforming traditional investment processes, processes and knowledge into respectful and meaningful approaches that value equity and impact with a focus on diverse women and non-binary entrepreneurs and SMEs including Black communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, persons with a disability, 2SLGBTQI+ and new Canadians. WIN-VC acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada
Le Fondation Canadienne de Femmes et WIN-VC est reconnaissant du soutien apporté par Innovation, Science et Développement économique (ISED) Canada. L'ISED a accordé un financement à WIN-VC qui rendra l'environnement du capital-risque plus inclusif pour les femmes en transformant les processus d'investissement traditionnels, les processus et les connaissances en approches respectueuses et significatives qui valorisent l'équité et l'impact en mettant l'accent sur les femmes diverses et les entrepreneurs non binaires et les PME, y compris les communautés noires, les peuples autochtones, les populations racialisées, les personnes handicapées, les 2SLGBTQ2+ et les néo-Canadiens.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is part of the Women and Nonbinary Impact Network for Venture Capital (WIN-VC) collective that will make the venture capital environment more inclusive for women by transforming traditional investment processes, processes and knowledge into respectful and meaningful approaches that value equity and impact with a focus on diverse women and non-binary entrepreneurs and SMEs including Black communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, persons with a disability, 2SLGBTQI+ and new Canadians. WIN-VC acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada
Le Fondation Canadienne de Femmes et WIN-VC est reconnaissant du soutien apporté par Innovation, Science et Développement économique (ISED) Canada. L'ISED a accordé un financement à WIN-VC qui rendra l'environnement du capital-risque plus inclusif pour les femmes en transformant les processus d'investissement traditionnels, les processus et les connaissances en approches respectueuses et significatives qui valorisent l'équité et l'impact en mettant l'accent sur les femmes diverses et les entrepreneurs non binaires et les PME, y compris les communautés noires, les peuples autochtones, les populations racialisées, les personnes handicapées, les 2SLGBTQ2+ et les néo-Canadiens.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is part of the Women and Nonbinary Impact Network for Venture Capital (WIN-VC) collective that will make the venture capital environment more inclusive for women by transforming traditional investment processes, processes and knowledge into respectful and meaningful approaches that value equity and impact with a focus on diverse women and non-binary entrepreneurs and SMEs including Black communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, persons with a disability, 2SLGBTQI+ and new Canadians. WIN-VC acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada
Le Fondation Canadienne de Femmes et WIN-VC est reconnaissant du soutien apporté par Innovation, Science et Développement économique (ISED) Canada. L'ISED a accordé un financement à WIN-VC qui rendra l'environnement du capital-risque plus inclusif pour les femmes en transformant les processus d'investissement traditionnels, les processus et les connaissances en approches respectueuses et significatives qui valorisent l'équité et l'impact en mettant l'accent sur les femmes diverses et les entrepreneurs non binaires et les PME, y compris les communautés noires, les peuples autochtones, les populations racialisées, les personnes handicapées, les 2SLGBTQ2+ et les néo-Canadiens.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is part of the Women and Nonbinary Impact Network for Venture Capital (WIN-VC) collective that will make the venture capital environment more inclusive for women by transforming traditional investment processes, processes and knowledge into respectful and meaningful approaches that value equity and impact with a focus on diverse women and non-binary entrepreneurs and SMEs including Black communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, persons with a disability, 2SLGBTQI+ and new Canadians. WIN-VC acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada
Le Fondation Canadienne de Femmes et WIN-VC est reconnaissant du soutien apporté par Innovation, Science et Développement économique (ISED) Canada. L'ISED a accordé un financement à WIN-VC qui rendra l'environnement du capital-risque plus inclusif pour les femmes en transformant les processus d'investissement traditionnels, les processus et les connaissances en approches respectueuses et significatives qui valorisent l'équité et l'impact en mettant l'accent sur les femmes diverses et les entrepreneurs non binaires et les PME, y compris les communautés noires, les peuples autochtones, les populations racialisées, les personnes handicapées, les 2SLGBTQ2+ et les néo-Canadiens.