FrontFundr, a private markets investment platform in Canada, and The51, a “Financial Feminist platform” that seeks to foster access to capital for women-led businesses, have launched a new pilot program where early-stage companies will be featured on both platforms. The two organizations hope to address gaps in access to early-stage capital.
According to a release, the partnership will begin with a select group of women-led organizations highlighted on both The51 and FrontFundr’s platforms. Platform users will be able to access and invest in these securities offerings online for as little as $250. The collaboration was developed due to a shared mandate of promoting women founders.
FrontFundr states that women-led startups receive less than 3% of venture capital available worldwide and represent a mere 12% of venture capitalists.
Shelley Kuipers, co-founder and co-CEO of The51, said the collaboration between the two platform’s further’s The51’s mission to democratize access to women-led capital by opening up investment to those who might not fall into the accredited investor category:
“Additionally, we know that women’s spending power is also influential capital and by voting with their dollars can support missions that are purposeful but also companies that are delivering products and services designed for them.”
Peter-Paul Van Hoeken, founder and CEO of FrontFundr, said that a lot more needs to be done to address the inequalities that exist in capital raising and investing:
“…one of the most obvious and urgent areas for improvement is providing women-led businesses and women investors with equal access and opportunity. Our mission as a business is to democratize access to the private markets for all Canadians, and so we could not be more excited to launch this partnership with the51, and so further help to deliver on this all-important mission.”
The first group of companies to be co-listed on the two platforms includes:
Geenees Giving – A social gifting platform for families in need that creates impact, connection, trust, and community. The platform facilitates product and service donations, attracts new types of donors to nonprofit organizations, eliminates unnecessary volunteer hours, and delivers to families directly and anonymously.
Paws En Route – Paws En Route is a pet transportation company which uses technology and a soft human touch to transport pets in a safe, friendly and fun environment. The company provides a pet air travel service as well as local and long haul ground transportation with pet experienced and pet loving drivers. Their mission is transportation for any pet, any time, any place.
joni – A purposed based period care company offering Canada’s first one-for-one model to make sustainable and innovative products accessible to everyone who needs them. They launched their direct-to-consumer channel with biodegradable and organic bamboo pads at getjoni.com in 2020 and are looking to expand their line of innovative period care products in 2021. joni is different on purpose as they want to drive period equity forward in Canada.