Entrepreneurial ecosystem & supports for women entrepreneurs

The Forum is a Canadian national charity dedicated to empowering self-identifying women, non-binary, and trans-femme entrepreneurs by addressing gender-based inequities in the entrepreneurial landscape. Through its innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and commitment to intersectional approaches, The Forum provides comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs. This research project asks: How can entrepreneurial support organizations like The Forum increase impact on equity for women entrepreneurs, with particular focus on addressing inequities in business continuity and growth rates and on founders’ income and asset levels? Research deliverables include an analysis of the key equity issues in entrepreneurship with a gender plus intersectional lens, mapping the ecosystem of support for women entrepreneurs in Canada, and identifying critical challenges and enablers at pivotal moments in the entrepreneurial journey from an equity perspective. This research will generate data and actionable insights that will inform The Forum’s strategy and programming design for increased impact. This project furthers The Forum’s mission to support women entrepreneurs in overcoming systemic barriers, particularly those faced by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, to achieve sustainable business growth and equitable access to resources.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ingrid Chadwick

Student:

Partner:

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs in British Columbia

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Social Innovation

University:

Concordia University

Program: