Get ready to be inspired. These Top 15 women-led ventures are changing the lives of people and the health of our planet for the better.
Supported by The Women & Nonbinary Impact Network for Venture Capital and supported in part by NRC IRAP.
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
A non-invasive collection device that uses menstrual blood to facilitate early detection of reproductive health conditions.
Ibukun Elebute, Co-Founder & COO
Ibukun Elebute is a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in health technology. She is passionate about improving women’s health and co-founded CELLECT to develop non-invasive diagnostic solutions for cervical cancer and HPV screening. Ibukun holds a Bachelor’s & Master’s in Biomedical Engineering and is pursuing a Master’s in Entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities;SDG 17: Partnerships
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Developing a zero-compromise contraceptive solution for access to safe, pain free, reliable contraception without the use of hormones.
Jennifer Johnston, MD, Founder
Jennifer Johnston, MD, CCFP, is a family physician and assistant professor at the Dalhousie University School of Medicine. With board certification in Lifestyle Medicine from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she has spent the last 12 years in clinical practice in Nova Scotia. After seeing first-hand how hormonal birth control affects patient lives, she is now determined to develop a safer alternative.
SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Leveraging AI and 3D Printing, our gynaecology platform offers patient-specific intra-vaginal devices for common pelvic health conditions.
Inara Lalani, Co-Founder & CEO
Growing up, Inara had the opportunity to live in several countries, including Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland, Qatar, and Canada. Her experiences in these diverse communities inspired her interest in social business and her commitment to addressing socioeconomic inequalities. During her time at McGill University. In 2020, Inara graduated with a BCom focused on Information Systems and Entrepreneurship, fueling her desire to eventually become an entrepreneur. Inara has spoken on various panels, podcasts, and conferences globally, focusing on women’s entrepreneurship, gender health equity, and youth involvement. In recognition of her achievements, Inara was named one of Bay Street Bull’s Women of the Year in 2022. She is also a certified board governance leader and has supported many community-driven initiatives.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Developing innovative drug delivery technologies to eliminate the burden of multiple daily fertility treatment injections for women.
Maman Biomedical is developing the world’s first needle-free hormonal patch for fertility treatment, replacing 20+ daily subcutaneous injections with a painless, user-friendly microneedle device. Built on 13+ years of materials science, encapsulation, and sustained-release expertise, our platform overcomes traditional transdermal delivery limits and enables controlled, tunable release of large-molecule hormones.
In under two years, we’ve progressed from concept to protected IP, a working prototype, early clinical partnerships, and top-5 placement in many of Canada’s most prestigious startup competitions. We’ve leveraged $500k+ in non-dilutive funding, established lab space for preclinical development, and built a clear regulatory and commercialization roadmap.
While we’re starting with fertility, our platform has broader applications across hormone therapy and specialty drug delivery. We are highly coachable, impact-driven founders with lived experience in the problem we’re solving – and we move fast. With the right partners, we are positioned to become the category leader in needle-free reproductive care and beyond.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Empowering users to control devices with their thoughts, bridging the gap between independence and opportunity.
Dion Kelly, Co-Founder & CEO
Dr. Dion Kelly is a neuroscientist and entrepreneur dedicated to expanding access to technology for people with disabilities, fostering greater interaction and independence. During her PhD at the University of Calgary, she worked on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which allows people to control devices using their thoughts. She also introduced in-home systems so families could access this life-changing technology during the pandemic. Now, as CEO of Possibility Neurotechnologies, she leads a team developing accessible, user-friendly BCI solutions that empower people with communication and mobility challenges to participate more fully in everyday life.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 4: Quality Education;SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities;SDG 17: Partnerships;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth;SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
This year’s virtual Finale will be a celebration! We’ll share the stories of women entrepreneurs who shone and see how far they’ve come since being named a Top Venture.
And of course, we’ll name a new Top Venture that will receive approximately $100,000 in well-deserved investment for their impact company.
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
A non-invasive collection device that uses menstrual blood to facilitate early detection of reproductive health conditions.
Ibukun Elebute, Co-Founder & COO
Ibukun Elebute is a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in health technology. She is passionate about improving women’s health and co-founded CELLECT to develop non-invasive diagnostic solutions for cervical cancer and HPV screening. Ibukun holds a Bachelor’s & Master’s in Biomedical Engineering and is pursuing a Master’s in Entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities;SDG 17: Partnerships
Climate & Environment | Women-Led
Converting carbon dioxide emissions into high value chemicals such as ethylene with a proprietary electrochemical process.
Christine Gabardo, Co-Founder & CTO
Dr. Christine Gabardo is the Co-Founder and CTO of CERT Systems Inc. She received her B.Eng (’11) and PhD (’16) from McMaster University, then went on to complete an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto focused on developing efficient and scalable electrochemical CO2 reduction devices. In 2019, she co-founded CERT Systems Inc. and led the technical team in the finals of the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE competition. She has published over 30 scientific articles in high impact journals in the field of CO2 electrocatalysis. She was recently recognized with the 2022 Clean50 Emerging Leader Award, the inaugural Engineering Young Alumni Leadership Award from McMaster University (2023), and as a Breakthrough Energy Innovator Fellow (Cohort 2).
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 13: Climate Action
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Developing a zero-compromise contraceptive solution for access to safe, pain free, reliable contraception without the use of hormones.
Jennifer Johnston, MD, Founder
Jennifer Johnston, MD, CCFP, is a family physician and assistant professor at the Dalhousie University School of Medicine. With board certification in Lifestyle Medicine from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she has spent the last 12 years in clinical practice in Nova Scotia. After seeing first-hand how hormonal birth control affects patient lives, she is now determined to develop a safer alternative.
SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
A platform offering resources, knowledge, and transformative experiences to support your pursuit of inner harmony.
Irene Rose Saliendra, Co-Founder & CEO
Fem Entity’s Diverse Directory is a platform that showcases and celebrates the diversity of individuals and businesses within the wellness community. We aim to highlight and promote a wide range of voices, perspectives, and talents from various backgrounds. The Diverse Directory serves as a resource for individuals seeking products, services, or collaborations in the wellness industry. By curating and featuring diverse voices, Fem Entity aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 17: Partnerships;SDG 5: Gender Equality
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Leveraging AI and 3D Printing, our gynaecology platform offers patient-specific intra-vaginal devices for common pelvic health conditions.
Inara Lalani, Co-Founder & CEO
Growing up, Inara had the opportunity to live in several countries, including Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland, Qatar, and Canada. Her experiences in these diverse communities inspired her interest in social business and her commitment to addressing socioeconomic inequalities. During her time at McGill University. In 2020, Inara graduated with a BCom focused on Information Systems and Entrepreneurship, fueling her desire to eventually become an entrepreneur. Inara has spoken on various panels, podcasts, and conferences globally, focusing on women’s entrepreneurship, gender health equity, and youth involvement. In recognition of her achievements, Inara was named one of Bay Street Bull’s Women of the Year in 2022. She is also a certified board governance leader and has supported many community-driven initiatives.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Affordable and Clean Energy | Climate & Environment
Sustainable critical minerals recovery, using proprietary zero-waste technology to achieve 99% feed recovery of essential materials.
Nifemi Oguntuase, Founder & CEO
With a strong background in science and finance, she leads the development of advanced solutions to refine essential resources such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese. These efforts are focused on creating eco-friendly processes that not only support sustainability but also secure vital supply chains for clean energy, electric vehicles, and other emerging technologies. Over the years, Nifemi has cultivated a vast network within the global critical minerals market, enabling Lab 4 Inc. to establish itself as a trusted player in sustainable resource innovation and a key contributor to the renewable energy transition.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy;SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities;SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production;SDG 13: Climate Action
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Developing innovative drug delivery technologies to eliminate the burden of multiple daily fertility treatment injections for women.
Maman Biomedical is developing the world’s first needle-free hormonal patch for fertility treatment, replacing 20+ daily subcutaneous injections with a painless, user-friendly microneedle device. Built on 13+ years of materials science, encapsulation, and sustained-release expertise, our platform overcomes traditional transdermal delivery limits and enables controlled, tunable release of large-molecule hormones.
In under two years, we’ve progressed from concept to protected IP, a working prototype, early clinical partnerships, and top-5 placement in many of Canada’s most prestigious startup competitions. We’ve leveraged $500k+ in non-dilutive funding, established lab space for preclinical development, and built a clear regulatory and commercialization roadmap.
While we’re starting with fertility, our platform has broader applications across hormone therapy and specialty drug delivery. We are highly coachable, impact-driven founders with lived experience in the problem we’re solving – and we move fast. With the right partners, we are positioned to become the category leader in needle-free reproductive care and beyond.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production
Disrupting the tofu category by offering delicious and ready-to-eat premium smoked tofu made with clean and simple ingredients.
Miki Talebi, Founder & CEO
Miki completed her PhD in social psychology and, prior to launching oomé, was Manager of Public Policy at the Canadian Mental Health Association. After having her second child, Miki took an extended maternity leave to re-evaluate her career path. At the same time, in 2020, Miki’s father, a passionate salesman who loved using his smoker to create amazing meals that brought the family together around the dinner table, unexpectedly passed away. Miki inherited her father’s smoker, and it was in this moment that she knew that she wanted to use it in a way that would not only honor him, but that aligned with her own values of sustainability, therein founding oomé.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production;SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Gender Equality | Human Health | Women-Led
Empowering users to control devices with their thoughts, bridging the gap between independence and opportunity.
Dion Kelly, Co-Founder & CEO
Dr. Dion Kelly is a neuroscientist and entrepreneur dedicated to expanding access to technology for people with disabilities, fostering greater interaction and independence. During her PhD at the University of Calgary, she worked on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which allows people to control devices using their thoughts. She also introduced in-home systems so families could access this life-changing technology during the pandemic. Now, as CEO of Possibility Neurotechnologies, she leads a team developing accessible, user-friendly BCI solutions that empower people with communication and mobility challenges to participate more fully in everyday life.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 4: Quality Education;SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities;SDG 17: Partnerships;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth;SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Climate & Environment | Decent Work and Economic Growth | Sustainable Cities and Communities | Zero Hunger
Decarbonizing food production and increasing food security with proprietary technology to operate a unique, decentralized farming model.
Alycia van der Gracht, Founder & CEO
Alycia founded QuantoTech Solutions Ltd. in 2012 after growing too attached to her patio farm before a cold Albertan winter and discovering the potential of indoor farming. Alycia earned a B.A. at the University of Lethbridge with a Major in Sociology. Her continuing professional development activities include attendance at a variety of conferences and events including the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) and International E-Commerce Essentials program at the World Trade Centre, attending finance bootcamps with Women Tech Founders association, completing an MITx MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management, and the Indigenous Canada course from the University of Alberta. Alycia continues to run QuantoTech as CEO while focusing her time on investor outreach, government relations, and strategic planning and partnerships.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger;SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities;SDG 13: Climate Action;SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth;SDG 5: Gender Equality
Decent Work and Economic Growth | Gender Equality | Quality Education
AI-powered platform revolutionizing international education by seamlessly integrating admissions, visa services, and financial tools.
Kemi Bolatito, Founder & COO
With a background in human services, mass communication, and immigration consulting, Kemi brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Chief Operating Officer. A multiple award-winning business leader, she is passionate about breaking barriers for immigrants and creating innovative solutions to empower global education access.
SDG 4: Quality Education;SDG 5: Gender Equality;SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
AI-powered smart clothing for invisible disabilities with with real-time monitoring, personalized warmth and predictive analytics.
Maria Julia Guimaraes, Founder & CEO
Maria Julia’s multidisciplinary background – Architecture, Urban Planning, Graphic Design, Computation Arts – informs her innovative and human-centric approach. For two decades, she’s designed products that improve how we interact and live. She further pushes boundaries by exploring how environmental and biofeedback data can optimize how we work, live, and think.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being;SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities;SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
A cutting-edge materials innovation company transforming bio waste into sustainable, high-value materials for the textile industry.
Jayia Varshney, Co-Founder
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation;SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production;SDG 13: Climate Action;SDG 14: Life Below Water
Jaiya Varshney is the co-founder of Tydra Labs, a pioneering materials innovation company dedicated to creating sustainable solutions by transforming waste into valuable products. With a background in sustainability strategy and impact investing, Jaiya combines business acumen with a passion for leveraging science and nature to drive meaningful environmental and social change. A champion of innovation, she has been recognized globally for her entrepreneurial achievements in climate tech and her commitment to advancing a circular economy.
Inspired to invest?
Everyone of any gender is invited to elevate women founders by becoming an investor in our 2025 Invest Together in Women-Led Impact program.
Learn more