Introducing the 20 Startups for Movement51 Founder Lab Cohort of 2023
Right now, women-founded startups only receive 1.8% of venture capital available worldwide. We're on a mission to shift that statistic and demystify raising capital to make the fundraising journey accessible for early-stage founders looking to become venture ready.
The Movement51 Founder Lab is the only investment readiness program of its kind in Canada that supports women and gender-diverse founders to fundraise with confidence. At the end of the intensive, 9-week program, founders walk away with a tailored playbook for their business that includes everything they need to build their financing strategy from Pre-Seed to Series A.
Earlier this year, we put out a call across Canada for people leading or co-founding companies to apply for the M51 Founder Lab, and we’re thrilled to introduce the 20 companies that will be joining the 2023 Founder Lab cohort.
Meet them here:
MADE Apparel Inc. (British Columbia) is revolutionizing the outdoor industry with custom and made-to-measure outdoor apparel.
Loba Wellness (British Columbia) is using technology and smart design to develop a platform that streamlines pill and supplement management.
Knead Tech (Alberta) is a software company that enables simple food recovery through a white-label app to meet the global challenge of food waste.
Brightspot (Alberta) is helping companies create and share micro-content (information, learning) that actually gets consumed by employees.
Wizar Learning Inc. (British Columbia) is nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers by making STEM learning fun and engaging for 3-12 year olds through gaming and immersive experiences.
Aruna Revolution (British Columbia) has developed a compostable pad that is affordable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly and developing education to destigmatize menstrual health.
EatSleepRIDE Mobile Inc. (Ontario) is a social network with location tracking and mapping mobile technology for motorcycle riders, capable of scoring motorcycle and two-wheeler insurance operator risk.
Emoot (British Columbia) is a commerce platform for social gifting and gratitude.
Sustento Inc. o/a HOPE Pet Food (Ontario) is creating better food for our pets with novel ingredients from insects, algae, and fungi, closing the gap between nutritious and sustainable pet food.
Animal HealthLink Ltd. (Alberta) is a veterinary teletriage service that provides practical and safe solutions for a modern and sustainable veterinary industry.
Better Basics (British Columbia) is making it easy to reduce single-use plastic and toxins with home and self-care products.
Mave & Chez (Ontario) is helping women invest in slippers that have unparalleled support without having to ever compromise on style.
Home Spritz (Alberta) is a platform for families to easily find, manage, and pay their independent, professional cleaner for every time for years to come.
Femme Flexor Inc. (Ontario) is creating new ideas in intimate wellness products, designing a series of wellness products that use propulsion over weight to energize the pelvic floor muscles.
Silver Swallow (Ontario) is creating non-alcoholic wine alternatives worthy of toasting.
Brood (British Columbia) is a modern care agency and community of birth workers, doulas, and parents redefining the meaning of family care.
Cashew (Alberta) is an insight technology company focusing on delivering data solutions in a faster, more accurate, and more engaging way.
Norm (Alberta) is a complete turnkey solution for content creators, agencies, and brands, providing a comprehensive suite of services that encompasses everything from workflow management to deal generation.
Board Checkup, Self-Assessment Software Services Inc. (Saskatchewan) is optimizing and improving board of director performance through its reliable, affordable, and scalable online board performance self-assessment solution.
Quibbit Inc. (Alberta) is a geo-enabled application removing the need for phone calls and booking forms to provide safe and reliable mobile automotive services for the general public, anywhere and everywhere on demand.
The Founder Lab is powered by TD National Bank, NRC IRAP, and Alberta Innovates, and it’s with their support we look forward to kicking off this cohort on April 26, 2023! All classes are led by accomplished founders, angels, and venture capitalists, and combine traditional lectures with hands-on learning to help these talented and motivated founders build their playbook.
If you read through these companies and thought, “I’d love to support an idea or founder like that someday,” we’ve got programs for being on the other side of the table as an early-stage investor, too. Explore how your dollars can power the next generation of future-fit, feminist businesses through our one-day Investor Lab Bootcamp or our full Investor Lab.
