Ground-level efforts in Manitoba are helping bring more women into Canada’s tech sector by providing access to educational workshops and local initiatives where they can connect, grow, and overcome barriers that have historically limited their opportunities. These efforts aim to help women secure meaningful roles in Canada’s expanding tech industry, contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant tech community.
Initiatives like North Forge’s Women in Innovation Lab (WiLab™), WeMB, and Manitoba Women in Tech (MBWiTech) are having a significant impact. Launched in March 2023, WiLab™ has become a crucial resource for women+ entrepreneurs looking to break into tech and entrepreneurship. Over 225 women entrepreneurs have participated in the program so far, benefiting from mentorship, skill-building workshops, and a supportive community. WiLab™ empowers women by providing them with the tools they need to turn their ideas into successful businesses.
WeMB, formerly known as the Women’s Enterprise Centre Manitoba, has been supporting women+ entrepreneurs since 1994, offering essential services like advising, financing, and training at every stage of business development. MBWiTech creates a networking space for women in the tech industry, hosting monthly meetups that foster a sense of community. These grassroots initiatives are crucial to ensuring women have access to the connections and resources they need to thrive in the tech sector.
These initiatives and organizations are addressing systemic issues that have long hindered women’s success in tech and entrepreneurship. For instance, only 16% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada are women-owned, and less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-led startups. This creates significant barriers for women in the industry. Programs like WiLab™ work to level the playing field by offering financial workshops, pitching guidance, and leadership training. Additionally, men are becoming allies in this movement, understanding that inclusion benefits everyone. By working together, they contribute to a stronger, more innovative, and resilient ecosystem.
The tech industry is seen as the future of innovation, but for it to be truly inclusive, grassroots movements in Manitoba are leading the way. However, more support is needed for long-term success. To ensure Manitoba continues to grow as an innovation hub, diversity must be prioritized at all levels—within businesses, leadership teams, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Programs like WiLab™ and MBWiTech are setting a positive example, but it is vital for everyone, from investors to policymakers, to advocate for progress. As more women engage with these initiatives, Manitoba’s business landscape will become more diverse and dynamic, creating an economy where innovation thrives because of diversity, not in spite of it.
Source: Winnipeg Sun
