PREFACE Leading Change
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This year‘s report also celebrates a major milestone: women now make up 27% of Canada’s angel communi- ty, a 50% increase over past years. Women across Can- ada are stepping up to mobilize their capital, networks and expertise to accelerate the growth of local startups. While we have more work to do, this progress is worthy of celebration. Through the concerted efforts of women angel inves- tors and leaders like Astrid Grawher of Yukon Venture Angels, Camille Saltman of WEL Okanagan Women's Mentoring and Angel Network, Alice Reimer of The51 in Calgary, Geneviève Tanguay of Anges Québec, Thealzel Lee of VANTEC in Vancouver, Ellen Fang of Archangel Network of Funds in Toronto, Jennifer Fran- cis of Capital Angel Network in Ottawa, Sophie Forest of Brightspark Ventures and Eva Lau of Two Small Fish Ventures, change is underway across Canada’s invest- ment community.
Over the past few years, we’ve been tracking an increase in operator-investors entering the ecosystem. This in- cludes successful women founders that are investing and providing support to emerging ventures, while si- multaneously building their own high growth compa- nies. These champions are bringing incredible value to their portfolio companies, applying their highly relevant experience and connections to bolster successful out- comes. Thanks to operator-investors like Heather Payne of Juno College, Stephany Lapierre of Tealbook and Ni- cole Verkindt of Buggy.ca, many young and emerging entrepreneurs are getting the support needed to thrive in a highly competitive global environment. Despite there being more women angels than ever, women and diverse entrepreneurs continue to face significant challenges when it comes to building a suc- cessful business in Canada. Our innovation ecosystem
2022 ANNUAL REPORT ON ANGEL INVESTING IN CANADA
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