TORONTO, June 23, 2021 – In a first of its kind study, the FoundHers report on Black women entrepreneurs surveyed more than 1,500 founders across Canada to identify any structural problems and explore insights and recommendations for better investment in this community as vital members of the Canadian business ecosystem. Supported by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, BDC, and Brock University, FoundHers is the inaugural report in a series.

The report, released today, by Pitch Better Canada reveals that although Black women founders are highly educated and their businesses are growing in sectors beyond the traditional boundaries, their experience in funding, financing, and participation in incubator programs is in complete contrast with this profile. The study found that almost 60% of Black women entrepreneurs have a bachelor’s degree. However, 43% of for-profit and 37% of not-for-profit founders have never secured external funding. More than 60% of for-profit businesses have self-funded their organizations up to $100,000.

When asked about ecosystem support available to them through accelerators and community-based programs, over 90% indicated that they rarely participate due to lack of information. In addition, access to finance, community networks, growth opportunities and mentorship were ranked among the top elements that respondents say would make their entrepreneurship experience better.

The need for immediate government and institutional attention and support is critical because 45% of Black women entrepreneurs identify their business lifecycle at a growth phase. However, 41% of respondents reported that the global pandemic has significantly impacted their revenue and/or profit, seriously impeding their growth prospects. Pitch Better’s co-founder, Amoye Henry states that, “support mechanisms should go beyond financing to scale up these businesses because about 70% of founders are either solopreneurs or operate with less than 10 employees. Additionally, a lack of transparent information channels has led to lack of representation and interest in funding opportunities as well as incubator programs.

Respondents were asked what social issues their not-for-profits were addressing, the top commonly cited issues include anti-Black racism, gender equality and entrepreneurship. They also indicated that finding capital or investment, partnership or network, personal development and mentorship will continue to remain relevant in their focus. “Our government is committed to addressing Canada’s most persistent and complex social problems, such as the institutional discrimination experienced by Black women entrepreneurs seeking venture capital funding,” declared Honourable Minister Ahmed Hussen. “That is why we were pleased to provide funding through our Investment Readiness Program, which has supported the Canadian Women’s Foundation and Pitch Better in their work to provide this important report as well as ongoing service, to help create an inclusive market that works for everyone.”

One of the unique features of this study is the concurrent launch of the FoundHers interactive dashboard featuring over a thousand Black women-owned businesses and non-profit organizations across Canada as the groundwork for a sustainable networking and knowledge sharing hub. In addition, the dashboard will provide investors and venture capital institutions with insights into these businesses to better facilitate investment partnerships. It provides a simple, searchable way to find and connect with businesses within a specific industry or region who are actively looking to raise capital.

FoundHers reinforces Pitch Better’s commitment to support diverse women entrepreneurs across Canada in scaling, building capacity and raising capital. The dashboard, in particular, will give Black women founders the opportunity to put their businesses in front of potential advisors and investors who can help scale-up their businesses.

To view the findings in detail, visit foundhers.ca.

About Pitch Better

Pitch Better Canada is a market research and capacity building firm that works to bridge the gap between diverse women led start-ups and their means to acquiring capital through grants and investments.

For interview requests or for more information, contact:

Adeela Carter-Charles, Carter Strategy Group
Co-Founder, Pitch Better
Email: adeela@carterstrategygroup.com
Phone: 905-903-6480