A 2022 study by Lyonnet and Stern found that a machine learning algorithm can outperform traditional VC decision-making.

Diversity isn’t what happens after we find excellence; it’s how we get there.

DEI is not about filtering out people – it’s about widening the aperture.

2SLGBTQIA+ leaders are already building businesses, jobs, and innovation. The only question is whether capital and funding systems will catch up or continue to overlook this vibrant, growing force in Canada’s economy.

Indigenous-owned businesses contributed $48.9 billion to the Canadian economy annually.

Not all disabilities are perceived the same way.

Bias doesn’t track merit, it tracks identity.

Growth doesn’t feel good. At least not at first.

Pointing to the success of Asian-Canadians as proof that equity is earned through hard work and assimilation is misleading—and harmful.

Diverse founders are often overmentored and underfunded.

Signs of passion in women are merely meeting expectations, or even viewed as overly emotional or “inappropriate.”

When female-founded ventures are backed solely by female investors, they are two times less likely to secure additional funding.

Solutions built for overlooked communities provide value for everyone.

The Overton window represents the range of policy ideas the public considers acceptable. This window is constantly shifting, expanding, or shrinking as societal attitudes evolve.

A study by Silberzahn et al. (2018) found that analysts arrived at different conclusions even with the same dataset. 

Feminine behaviours decreased the likelihood of being a finalist in a pitch competition by 13%, regardless of the entrepreneur’s gender.

Investors reward male founders for being bold. They penalize female founders for being outsiders.

Faith and finance have long been intertwined across religious traditions, shaping ethical investment strategies and financial systems.

Women entrepreneurs are held to higher standards compared to their male counterparts. 

In 2020, the gap in capital for Black leaders and communities was undeniable. Promises were made. Commitments to increase capital to Black leaders were publicized.

The momentum hasn’t been sustained over the last few years. 

A founder often depends on their friends and family to raise their first round of financing to build their venture. 

Male entrepreneurs are asked asset-based questions, while female entrepreneurs are asked liability-based questions.

Representation is not enough. Reaching critical mass is crucial to unlock the full economic benefits of diversity.

Some are calling for neutrality as a way to combat DEI. However, neutrality is a path to irrelevance.

In 2022, a milestone was reached: for the first time, women of colour on US privately held company boards outnumbered directors named Dave or David.

This recent blog from Seth Godin is a perfect reminder as we start the new year.

At the start of every year, like many, I embrace a set of resolutions and updates to my habits. And…they don’t always stick.

As we reflect on 2024, it's clear that resilience is deeply rooted in diversity. 

We recently concluded our Capital Unlocked 2024 Summit, a dynamic and inspiring gathering that brought together philanthropy, finance, entrepreneurship, and technology leaders.

Reflections from our Capital Unlocked 2024 Summit