# Women's Equity Lab

> Women's Equity Lab is a Canadian network of women angel investors who pool capital, evaluate startups together and vote on investments. Founded in Victoria in 2017 by 23 investors and friends, it combines regional investment funds with practical investor education. Its current public reporting describes more than 500 women investors, over C$7 million deployed including co-investments, and more than 75 portfolio companies.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Victoria, Canada
- **Founders:** Stephanie Andrew (Co-founder; Victoria and Vancouver managing partner)
- **Products:** Regional pooled angel investment funds, Learning on Investment (LOI), Startup funding and member connections
- **Notable:** Launched in Victoria in 2017 with 23 investors and friends., Current About page reports 27 funds., Current public reporting describes more than 500 women investors, over C$7 million invested including co-investments, and more than 75 portfolio companies.

## Products & services

- **Regional pooled angel investment funds** — Local groups typically pool approximately C$6,000 per member, build C$150,000-C$300,000 funds and invest in three to five companies over a 12-month deployment period. Terms vary by group.
- **Learning on Investment (LOI)** — Practical investor education through deal sourcing, due diligence, peer discussion and voting on real investments.
- **Startup funding and member connections** — Typical fund investments of C$25,000-C$75,000 into early-stage companies; members may contribute expertise, introductions and additional co-investment.

## Achievements

- Launched in Victoria in 2017 with 23 investors and friends.
- Current About page reports 27 funds.
- Current public reporting describes more than 500 women investors, over C$7 million invested including co-investments, and more than 75 portfolio companies.
- Current portfolio reporting says 72% of portfolio companies are women-led.
- Manitoba Fund 3 reached full subscription in 2026; September and October releases update the total to C$310,000 and 62 limited partners.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 15, WEL Manitoba announced its third Fund 3 investment, in Aurea Technologies, maker of the Shine portable wind turbine.
- **2026-09** — WEL Manitoba announced Fund 3 investments in Marlow and femtherapeutics; the release reported C$310,000 from 62 limited partners.
- **2026-09** — WEL requested C$10 million over five years in a federal pre-budget submission, targeting more than 1,000 investors and C$50 million in new private capital. This is a request, not awarded funding.
- **2026-07** — Calgary launch announcement disclosed US$100,000 from its fund into Par Olive plus US$230,000 in individual member co-investments.
- **2026-06** — Montréal group launched, with a June 18 announcement.

## Links

- Website: https://womensequitylab.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-s-equity-lab/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WomensEquityLab
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womens_equity_lab/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Womens-Equity-Lab-100338519256566

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/womens-equity-lab
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27