Building the next generation of female founders

FoundHers is a Canada-based venture studio reimagining who gets to build the future. We partner with the next generation of transformational entrepreneurs: diverse women visionaries building scalable ventures, good jobs, and new economic engines in Canada and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

We are builders as much as we are backers. Our team provides hands-on support from idea to scale, embedding strategic capital, deep operational expertise, and trusted networks into every venture we help launch. As a cross-border catalyst, FoundHers is also forging new pathways between Canada and MENA, unlocking untapped opportunities in both emerging and established markets.

Our ambition

To become the most impactful and highest-returning venture studio for underestimated founders in the world.

Our mission

To pave the way for Canadian women to lead the digital and green economy.

Our vision

We envision a future where women entrepreneurs are at the forefront of technological innovation, creating scalable businesses that drive economic growth and social progress.

What we offer

01

Supporting women-led tech

We provide tech-first led by woman, ensuring they have the mentorship and funding to launch education and global relevance

02

Culturally specific programming

Our curriculum is designed with cultural in mind—recognizing the identity, experience on community shape how women lead and build.

03

Low-cost program with high-value resources

We remove cost barriers without compromising on quality. Our Programming includes 1:1 advisory, legal accounting support and connections to the investors.

04

Emphasis on scalable, venture-ready business

We help founders prototypes, from product-market to go-to-market strategy, we focus on building business that are investable and positioned for scale

Program team

Meet the team behind our programs

Cierra Madore

Cierra Madore

Senior Program Advisor

FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.

Anna Hope Kabongo MBA

Anna Hope Kabongo MBA

Investment Associate

FoundHers Labs | Pitch BetterInc.

Peta-Ann Leon

Peta-Ann Leon

Program Manager

FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.

Stella Igweamaka, MBA

Stella Igweamaka, MBA

Research & Resources Development Consultant

FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.

Layla Freig, CPA

Layla Freig, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

FoundHers Labs | Pitch Better Inc.

Mariah Pelley-Smith

Mariah Pelley-Smith

Brand Consultant

Brand Architect | Tech Innovator

FoundHers Innovation Labs is an initiative inspired by the groundbreaking 2021 "FoundHers" research study, conducted by Pitch Better in collaboration with the Canadian Women's Foundation. This comprehensive study, encompassing 1,545 Black women founders across Canada and 126 focus group participants, revealed critical insights:

58%

of Black women founders hold a Bachelor's degree or higher

The Canadian Women's Foundation, a national charity dedicated to empowering women and girls, advancing gender equality, and combating poverty and violence, provided invaluable support for this initiative. Their backing has been instrumental in bringing these crucial issues to light and fostering positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape for Black women in Canada.

CWF

Canadian Women's Foundation

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