ABOUT US
Our vision
In our vision, women-led enterprises are the unstoppable force reshaping the world, driving innovation, and propelling societal transformation. We firmly believe that women are the change-makers our world yearns for. We're not playing small - and neither should you.
Our story
We embarked on a quest to uncover the true impact of a women's entrepreneurship program. And guess what? It makes all the difference.
W Venture isn't your typical accelerator; it's the secret ingredient fuelling the success of women-led companies across Canada. It's where the real magic unfolds. We've cultivated a vibrant community of experts and peers united by a common goal: driving each other to new heights. In a landscape rife with operational, financial, and leadership hurdles, entrepreneurs often find themselves underserved. But we're on a mission to rewrite this narrative.
Here, it's about more than just individual growth – it's about building a collective force, where shared wisdom, mutual accountability, and invaluable experience wrap around your venture like a protective cocoon. We believe in nurturing a community that accelerates not just businesses but the empowerment of women entrepreneurs themselves.
W Venture has already empowered over 50 women-led startups to thrive, thanks to our dynamic partnership with National Resource Council Canada, and past partnerships with the Digital Supercluster, Accelerate Okanagan, the University of Victoria, and VIATEC.
Now, we're taking what we started and making it even bigger and better.
Join us on this exhilarating journey, and let's redefine the future of women-led businesses, one success story at a time.
Our stats so far
And we’re just getting started…
9.7
Net promoter score for W Venture Programs
9.6
Net promoter score for W Venture Experts
56
Women-led ventures supported
Meet our team
Joanna Buczkowska-McCumber
Managing Partner
Joanna is the go-to strategist when companies, organizations, and funders want to weave social purpose and sustainability right into their core. With a passion for turning visionary ideas into impactful realities, Joanna champions innovative solutions that bolster businesses to drive profound social change. She built multiple accelerators including League of Innovators, W Venture and the iHub. She actively contributes to a tangible future as the founder of Ideas for Impact Sustainability Agency, Chair of the Scale Institute, Executive in Residence at the University of Victoria Innovation Centre, and advisor to many impact startups.
Shelley Voyer
Managing Partner
Meet Shelley, the visionary strategist who excels at simplifying complex issues, uncovering gaps, and devising bridge-building plans. She has catalyzed growth for numerous startups as an EiR at VIATEC and Foresight. Shelley's contributions extend to her role as the driving force behind W Venture, a game-changing entrepreneurship program for women in BC. With a background that includes launching an acclaimed Zuzee online community for girls and working with industry giants like Nokia and Vivendi, Shelley’s expertise shines through as co-founder of Forge Experience Design & Research, a leading UX/UI consultancy.
Emily Poulin
Program Manager
Emily manages the execution of all W Venture programs. She coordinates across our cohorts, teams and stakeholders to ensure everything runs smoothly. She also specializes in enhancing workplace well-being and promoting sustainable practices. With a degree in Environmental Policy and experience in driving change, Emily helps businesses integrate effective wellness strategies and environmental responsibility, aiming to improve productivity and contribute positively to our planet’s future.
Why we built this
Time and research have shown us that female-led businesses are not just a “nice to have”, but a vital force for a vibrant economy. A trillion-dollar opportunity we can not let pass. - Harvard Business Review
Women-led companies have higher ROI, are more likely to introduce radical new innovations into the market, and outperform their male counterparts consistently.
Women are founding more businesses than ever before with 3x the rate of male entrepreneurs since 1976 (BDC report). However, female entrepreneurs are underrepresented making up only 28% of the entrepreneurial population, and highly underfunded with only 2.2% of venture dollars going to female-led companies (Pitchbook). The gap is significant.
W Venture seeks to close the gap and help women entrepreneurs succeed and our communities thrive.
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