For Founders
Our success is measured in signed term sheets that make you happy
A program aimed at getting you back to building as quickly as possible.
2027 Applications Are Open and close on September 25, 2026.
The 15 most promising women’s health startups will take part in our Investor Readiness Bootcamp and pitch to over 30 VC Firms at one of the FemTech Breakfast Club showcases and get a chance to win over $20K in prizes + get a chance to be selected to pitch at DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit for a chance to receive up to $150K in investments.*
+ One winner per location will win over $20K in prizes
WHAT YOU COULD WIN
The 15 FemTech Breakfast Club finalists will get to attend our virtual Investor Readiness Bootcamp for free, designed and delivered by investors and VCs, focused on building your fundraising pipeline, data room, and cap table + pitch on stage to over 30+ VCs and 100+ women’s health ecosystem partners at one of the FemTech Breakfast Club showcases for a chance to win $20K in prizes (May 25, 2027 in Vancouver; July 6, 2027 in Montreal; September 2027 in Toronto)
All finalists will get a chance to be selected to pitch live at the DMZ's Women Innovation Summit in front of an audience of 400+ ecosystem leaders, investors, and founders, for a chance to be awarded yp to 150K in investments, led by DMZ Ventures.
DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit conditions: incorporated in Canada, a woman founder or co-founder leading the business, leveraging technology to solve a real problem, able to pitch in person in Toronto on the day of the Summit, coachable, driven, and collaborative leadership, positioned to become a venture-backable startup. Other conditions may apply.
WHO CAN apply
We are looking for ambitious women’s health startups that are:
Tech-enabled or IP-protected
Incorporated in Canada
Preparing to fundraise and close a pre-seed or seed round in 2027
Ready to participate in FBC’s 3 half-days virtual Investor Readiness Bootcamp
Able to travel to at least one of the showcase locations to pitch on stage
Able to travel to Toronto in March 2027 to pitch at DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit - Travel costs of up to $1,000 will be covered for flights and hotel for people travelling from outside Ontario
Additional conditions apply to be selected to pitch at DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit.*
What FemTech means to us:
Conditions unique to women
Conditions that affect women differently
Health and wellness conditions where women are at a higher risk (75%+ of patients are women)
Not focused on women’s health? - learn more about the DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit criteria and application process.
What to expect
September 9th - 25th, 2026
By November 1, 2026
DMZ’s WIS Finalists Announcement
By March 1, 2026
FBC’s Finalists Announcement
November 3rd, 5th and 10th, 2026
DMZ Investor Readiness Bootcamp by Cap Inclusive (for WIS finalists)
End of December 2026
DMZ WIS’s Top 10 Announcement
September 11, 2026
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3 half-days in March 2027
FBC’s Investor Readiness Bootcamp (for FBC finalists)
March 2027, Toronto
DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit
THE PRIZE
Get a chance to pitch at the DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit
In March 2027, for a chance to pitch live and get awarded up to $200K in investments, led by DMZ Ventures. Travel costs of up to $1,000 will be covered for flights and hotel for people travelling from outside Ontario.
(Conditions apply)
Take part in the Investor Readiness Bootcamp
A virtual program built by investors, dedicated to building your pipeline, data room and cap table (a $4,500 value).
Feature on a Centech Stage
A targeted and privileged showcase at one of the Centech flagship events.
Fast-tracked application for Creative Destruction Lab
Fast-tracked application to interview for CDL’s Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chain or BioMedical Engineering Stream.
(Conditions apply)
A one-year Medteq+ Membership
MedTeq+ offers a 1-year membership valued at 900$. Montreal winner only.
(Conditions apply, including not being an existing member)
Up to $3,600 in services from Garage&co
Prize based on each winner’s Garage Readiness Level (GRL):
A) 1-year incubation — $3,600
For market validation.
B) 15 hours of scale-up services — $3,600
For fundraising or scaling.
C) 1-year Connect Membership — $299
Access to the Garage&co community and events.
(Conditions apply)
A 12-month 1:1 mentorship program from The Forum
The prize winners will get access to The Forum 12-month 1:1 mentorship program (a $300 value).
(Conditions apply)
Fast-track access to MaRS Venture Services + Impact Health conference discount
Fast-track acceptance to MaRS Venture Services Program, and priority consideration for inclusion in an article in the MaRS Magazine (online) or other channel, for participation in a minimum of 1 MaRS Event.
All finalists will get a discount code to attend the MaRS Impact Health conference and an opportunity to be featured (at MaRS’ discretion) [In Toronto: May 12-13, 2027]
(Conditions apply)
1. DMZ’s Women Innovation Summit conditions: incorporated in Canada, a woman founder or co-founder leading the business, leveraging technology to solve a real problem, able to pitch in person in Toronto on the day of the Summit, coachable, driven, and collaborative leadership, positioned to become a venture-backable startup. Other conditions may apply.
2. CDL Conditions: 1) the winning venture has to fit the CDL AI, BME or Supply Chain thesis; 2) the winning venture is subject to a technical assessment by the CDL scientific mentors; and 3) does not guarantee final selection for the 2027/2028 cohort - this would be subject to further review by the CDL mentors along with some other criteria.
INVESTOR READINESS Bootcamp highlights
Professionalize your data room and make sure you have all documents ready to close your round.
Dry run your pitch with venture capital investors
Financial workshops to help you build your projections and communicate growth
Learn how to negotiate your term sheets, value your company, and strategize your exit.
OUR PREVIOUS ATTENDEES
SELECTION CRITERIA
Does it significantly improve women’s quality of life?
Value Proposition
Are women patients ready to adopt new solutions?
Market Opportunity
Are healthcare professionals loving the solution?
Market Traction
Is the solution able to gain traction organically?
Growth Strategy
Is there evidence of improved well-being?
Impact
Are they well surrounded by healthcare professionals?
Team
2026 Selection Committee Members
Anya Abchiche
NEXT AI
Jennifer Tsang
Scotiabank
Jacqueline Gilchrist
The Forum
Arielle Land
The51
Naouel Hanani
CIVIC
Mayisha Sultana
MaRS Discovery District
Remy Orpen
Scotiabank
Sara Coture
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Louis Fournier
Creative Destruction Lab Vancouver
Vincent Baldwin Côté
Scotiabank
Isabel Nolan
Startup Canada
Jennifer Humphrey
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Viet Le
BDO Canada
Laurence Audette-Lagueux
Garage&Co
Charlotte Avril
Business France
Rossana Carmen Alfaro Roman
Centech
Garima Ghale
OBIO
Erika Thomas
The Forum
Vittorina Solano
CDL-Montreal
Nolizwe Mhlaba
The Forum
Mirela Pirela
Desjardins Insurance
Justine Clark
DMZ
Danielle Graham
The Firehood
Amy Laliberté
Investissement Québec
Antoine Jutras-Carignan
Axelys