J&J(US:JNJ) BetaKit·2025-12-29 17:32Core Insights - The article highlights the progress made for Black women founders in Canada over the past five years, indicating a shift in the venture capital landscape, although challenges remain [4][10]. Investment Landscape - Globally, the number of venture capital deals involving female-founded or co-founded companies increased by nearly 60% from 2014 to 2023, yet female-founded startups captured only about 2% of global venture dollars as of 2023 [5]. - In Canada, women-led startups accounted for just 4% of total VC investment in 2021, which tripled to 12% by the first half of 2024, reflecting significant but fragile progress [6]. Institutional Response - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has initiated several programs to address historical investment gaps, including a $35 million commitment to co-invest alongside women-led businesses and a $50 million initiative to help women acquire or lead established companies [8]. Black Entrepreneurship - In 2023, only 1.3% of Black adults in Canada were entrepreneurs, with Black women at an even lower rate of 0.7%. However, projections suggest that Black entrepreneurs could represent 3.2% of Canada's entrepreneurial base by 2034 [9]. Founders' Impact - Six Black women founders have raised over $1 million each through venture capital and non-dilutive funding, demonstrating a shift in the market and the potential for scalable business models [14]. - Companies founded by these women span various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and sustainability, showcasing their ambition and governance [14][25]. Call to Action - The article emphasizes the need for structural changes to ensure the success of Black women founders becomes the norm rather than the exception, advocating for increased diverse investors and government-backed data collection [28]. - It argues that supporting Black women founders is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity, as they are addressing critical global challenges [29][30].