Anna Sinclair, CEO & Founder of Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA), moderated a fireside chat with Jennifer Francis, co-founder of SheBoot and chair of Capital Angel Network, who shared candid insights from more than 30 years in tech leadership, investing and governance. A champion for women-led startups, Francis spoke about advancing investor readiness and closing the capital gap in Canada’s early-stage ecosystem.
Event Date: 02/26/2026 Organizer: Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA) in partnership with PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
More than 150 founders, investors and community leaders gathered at Bayview Yards on Feb. 26 as the Self-Made Breakfast Tour made its Ottawa stop, spotlighting the city’s growing ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. Presented in partnership with PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, the event blended networking, vendor activations, tourism, expert business insights, and policy-driven dialogue aimed at helping women-led businesses scale.
The morning featured a “Money In Motion” panel powered by CIBC Business Banking and moderated by Invest Ottawa’s Sonya Shorey, alongside fireside chats with Lisa Zarzeczny, CEO of Elevate, and Jennifer Francis, co-founder of SheBoot and chair of Capital Angel Network. PARO Canada founder, Rosalind Lockyer, delivered a keynote underscoring the economic impact of women-led enterprises nationwide. The official brunch sponsor, Ottawa Tourism, shared remarks highlighting the capital’s innovation economy and its commitment to supporting founders across all sectors.
Interactive Collaboration Innovation Tables invited founders to share insights that will inform future government policies and programs. One-on-one advisory sessions in the Learning Lounge connected entrepreneurs with experts in finance, legal and marketing.
By day’s end, attendees left with new partnerships, practical strategies and a strengthened network within Ottawa’s innovation community.
All the beautiful printing and vinyls were provided by our Official Print Sponsor, The Printing House (TPH).An attendee checks in with our Self-Made flight staff to receive their boarding pass and passport (event program) before making their way through the Founders Lounge, where they receive their VIP bag at ‘Baggage Claim’, enjoy a welcome drink by Ananda Elixirs, and explore a curated vendor marketplace featuring local businesses and activations, including headshots from CIBC Business Banking, and immersive experiences from PARO Canada, Ottawa Tourism, Farm Girl, IP Goldmine, Rocking Vibes and The Streamlined Space.The CIBC Business Banking team gathers for a photo at their Headshots Activation Booth: (from left to right) Alexander Robertson, Relationship Manager; Anca Popescu, Director of Business Banking; Jaime Whetstone, Senior Manager, Business Banking; and Tarek Naamani, Senior Manager, Business Banking.Writeway Senior Product Designers Andrea McDougald (left) and Elina Takahashi (right) pause for a photo in the Founders Lounge before doors open, ready to connect with founders about their digital storytelling platform. The beautiful furniture for the activations was provided by the Ottawa stop’s Official Decor Rental Partner, Loulou Lounge & Chic + Swell.The flight crew is handing out gifts from the tour’s Official Supplement Partner, Olly Canada. Magnetic Staffing, Official Staffing Partner of the tour, assembled an outstanding flight crew whose professionalism, energy, and care helped create a welcoming, high-touch experience for every founder in the room.The speaking program opens with the “Money in Motion” Financial Panel powered by CIBC Business Banking and moderated by Sonya Shorey, President & CEO of Invest Ottawa (Ottawa’s main Regional Partner), featuring Anca Popescu of CIBC Business Banking (Official Financial Partner), Elina Takahashi of Writeway (Official Digital Journal Partner), Andrea Bolden of IP Goldmine (Official Legal Partner), and Julie Cole (Mabel’s Labels). Together, the panel shared practical insights on financial strategy, intellectual property, purpose-driven growth, and sustainable scaling.Anna Sinclair of Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA) moderates a fireside chat with Lisa Zarzeczny, CEO of Elevate, who highlighted the organization’s festival, accelerator programs, and the Think 2030 initiative supporting underrepresented Canadian founders.Lizzy Low and Emily Marchi from Ottawa Tourism share their remarks as the Official Brunch Sponsors for the Ottawa tour stop, welcoming guests into Ottawa from across the country.Rosalind Lockyer (centre), CEO & Founder of PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Presenting Partner of the Tour and keynote speaker, poses with co-hosts (left) Anna Sinclair, Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA), and Melissa Cooke (right), PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise.Founders engaged in meaningful conversations during the Collaboration Innovation Tables (CITs), funded in part by Women and Gender Equality Canada, and within the Learning Lounge, where they connected with mentors, experts, and peers to exchange insights and tackle real business challenges. Together, these sessions fostered knowledge-sharing and gathered valuable perspectives that will inform a research report advocating for stronger policies and support systems for women-led businesses across Canada.At the Intuit QuickBooks Cafe, the tour’s Official FinTech Partner, and Culinary Conspiracy (Renee Bates), the Ottawa stop’s Official Catering Partner, elevated the brunch with a visually stunning spread of dishes, from desserts to pasta salads, wraps, and more, giving attendees plenty to savor and snap photos of throughout the morning.The Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA) team, the driving force behind the Self-Made Breakfast Tour, pauses for a photo: (from left to right) Ashley Hallihan (Program and Special Events Coordinator), Chantria Tram (Program & Partnerships Coordinator), Brandon Sinclair (VP), Anna Sinclair (Founder & CEO), and Queen Abia (Marketing & Social Media Coordinator).
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