Ottawa's startup and entrepreneurship community got a powerful showcase last month when the Self-Made Breakfast Tour rolled into the city, drawing over 150 founders, investors, and community leaders to Bayview Yards for a morning packed with conversation, connection, and practical insights.
The February 26 event, organized by Sinclair Creative Agency in partnership with PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise, made a strong case that Ottawa's ecosystem for women entrepreneurs is not just growing. It's thriving.
The Program
The morning featured a rich lineup of speakers and panels designed to deliver real value rather than just inspiration. The Money in Motion financial panel brought together some of Ottawa's sharpest business minds, moderated by Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa.
Panelists Anca Popescu (CIBC Business Banking), Elina Takahashi (Writeway), Andrea Bolden (IP Goldmine), and Julie Cole (Mabel's Labels) tackled practical topics: financial strategy, intellectual property, purpose-driven growth, and sustainable scaling. The kind of content that founders in the room can actually act on.
Fireside Chats and Keynote
The event also featured fireside chats with Lisa Zarzeczny, CEO of Elevate, who highlighted accelerator programs and the Think 2030 initiative, and Jennifer Francis, co-founder of SheBoot and chair of the Capital Angel Network, who drew on more than 30 years in tech leadership, investing, and governance.
Rosalind Lockyer, CEO and Founder of PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise, delivered keynote remarks on the economic impact of women-led enterprises across Canada, a fitting anchor for an event designed to celebrate and accelerate exactly that impact.
More Than Panels
Beyond the main programming, the event offered Interactive Collaboration Innovation Tables, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, for policy-focused discussions, plus a Learning Lounge with one-on-one advisory sessions in finance, legal, and marketing. Vendor activations and networking rounded out the morning, with catering by Ottawa's own Culinary Conspiracy.
Ottawa's Growing Ecosystem
What makes events like this meaningful beyond the networking is the signal they send. Ottawa's entrepreneurial ecosystem has matured significantly over the past decade, and the women-led segment of that ecosystem is increasingly visible, well-connected, and well-resourced.
With institutions like Invest Ottawa, PARO, Bayview Yards, and the Capital Angel Network all active in supporting founders, Ottawa has genuine infrastructure behind its entrepreneurial ambitions.
If you missed this one, keep an eye on future Self-Made events and Ottawa's broader startup programming, the calendar is getting busier every year.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
