Women's Equity Lab

Women's Equity Lab is an investment firm.

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Updated: Mar 14, 2026 ·

About

Women's Equity Lab (WEL) was established in 2017 as a non-profit organization, headquartered in Victoria, BC. Its foundational mission is to address the insufficient representation of female investors within the early-stage startup landscape. WEL achieves this by organizing groups of diverse and accomplished women from across North America. These groups serve as platforms for members to share their collective expertise, insights, and perspectives, fostering a collaborative and empowering environment for active participation in early-stage investing. Through this model, WEL aims to democratize access to venture capital opportunities for women, enabling them to engage directly in supporting new ventures.

Financial History

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Valuation

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Investments Made

Date	Company	Round	Lead Investor(s)	Co-Investor(s)
Feb 10, 2026	Taiv	$13.0M Series A	Emerging Ventures, IDC Ventures	Garage Capital, Pioneer Fund, Trillick Ventures, Y Combinator

Financial History

Total Raised

N/A

Valuation

N/A

Deep Dive

Women's Equity Lab (WEL) was launched in 2017 as a non-profit organization based in Victoria, BC, with a clear objective: to address the underrepresentation of female investors in early-stage startups. The organization was conceived to create a structured yet collaborative pathway for women to actively participate in venture capital.

WEL operates through a network of investment groups comprising diverse and successful women. These groups are designed to be platforms where members can pool their collective expertise, insights, and perspectives. This shared learning environment is central to WEL's model, enabling participants to make informed investment decisions in emerging companies.

Since its inception, WEL has expanded its operations across North America, establishing investment groups in various regions. This expansion has led to the formation of multiple investment funds. As of available information, WEL has spun off 16 funds, including 9 specifically within British Columbia, covering both Victoria and Vancouver, and an additional 3 in other locations.

The organization emphasizes a collaborative and empowering approach to early-stage investing. It aims to make the process accessible and engaging for women who might otherwise face barriers to entry in traditional venture capital circles. This model fosters a supportive community where women can gain practical experience and confidence as investors.

By facilitating direct engagement in early-stage investing, Women's Equity Lab contributes to diversifying the capital landscape for startups. Its efforts not only increase the number of female investors but also bring varied perspectives to the evaluation and support of new ventures, potentially impacting the types of companies that receive funding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Women's Equity Lab structure its investment activities?

Women's Equity Lab operates through investment groups composed of diverse women who share expertise and insights. These groups collaboratively engage in early-stage investing, leading to the formation and spinning off of investment funds.

What is the geographic scope of Women's Equity Lab's operations?

Women's Equity Lab has established investment groups across various regions in North America. Its spun-off funds include 9 in British Columbia (Victoria & Vancouver) and 3 in other unspecified locations.

What was the initial legal structure of Women's Equity Lab upon its founding?

Women's Equity Lab was initially launched in 2017 as a non-profit organization. Its structure facilitates collaborative early-stage investing among its members.