PREMIUM FEST

BDC’s Women in Technology Bootcamp

A high-impact bootcamp for women in tech
July 8th, 2026

An exclusive, application-only bootcamp for women in tech

Apply now to take part in this high impact learning experience where women founders and leaders gain practical insights, actionable takeaways, and meaningful connections to support their longterm success—as they navigate uncertain and rapidly changing times.

BDC's WIT Bootcamp is designed for scalable technology companies founded by at least one individual who identifies as a woman. Space is limited, and an application is required.

Apply Now

What to expect from the WIT Bootcamp:

This bootcamp is for women who are building, leading, or preparing to take the helm of innovative Canadian technology companies, those who refuse to stay on the sidelines and want a seat at the table where decisions are made and the future is built. It is designed for leaders ready to stand behind their vision, amplify their voice, and surround themselves with a peer community that drives innovation forward, without compromise.

You’ll walk away with:

  • The ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
  • Practical lenses to prioritize time, talent, capital, and technology more intentionally. 
  • Greater confidence to lead authentically, set boundaries, and trust their leadership instincts.
  • Broader perspective on growth paths, resilience, and long-term impact in a changing context.
  • Honest, peer-to-peer connections in a trusted space-reinforcing that they are not navigating these challenges alone.

Who should attend

The WIT bootcamp is designed exclusively for:

  • Scalable Canadian technology startups, founded by at least one individual who identifies as a woman.
  • Selected applicants.
  • WIT Bootcamp ticket holders at Startupfest.

You’ll get the most value if you are:

  • An early growth stage startup.
  • Women leaders looking to strengthen their company’s positioning.
  • Looking to accelerate learning, and build peer-to-peer connections.

BDC WiT Bootcamp 2026 Speakers

Lise Birikundavyi

Co-founder and Managing Partner, BKR Capital

Geneviève Bouthillier

Executive Vice-President, BDC Capital

Haley Bryant

Partner, Hustle Fund

Christiane Germain

Co-founder, Germain Hotels

Kath Intson

CEO, Sentinel R&D

Rita Kasparian

Senior Director, BDC Capital

Sévrine Labelle

Managing Director, Thrive Lab & Thrive ETA Fund, BDC

Mona Minhas

Managing Partner, Thrive Venture Fund – BDC Capital

Anita Nowak, PhD

Founder, Purposeful Empathy by Design

Catherine Ouellet-Dupuis

General Partner, White Star Capital

Patricia Riopel

Founding Partner, MAGNUM Capital Partners

Melissa Sariffodeen

CEO & Founder, Arcbright

Avery Swartz

Founder & CEO, Camp Tech

Katy Yam

Partner, Real Ventures

BDC WiT Bootcamp 2026 Agenda

July 7

7:30 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

Networking Breakfast

Join your fellow female founders and leaders for a bite and some networking before the content kicks off! See More.

8:30 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

Welcome to the WiT Bootcamp

Join your host for the morning as she kicks off the 7th edition of the BDC WiT Bootcamp! See More.
Senior Director
BDC Capital

8:35 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

Seizing the Moment: A Conversation with Christiane Germain

At a time when innovation opportunities are expanding at an unprecedented scale, it is critical that women have the mindset and the tools needed to seize these opportunities and lead. See More.
Executive Vice-President
BDC Capital
Co-founder
Germain Hotels

8:55 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

Building a Defence Business in Canada

Global reach, sovereign control - Join BDC Capital's Managing Partner, Mona Minhas, as she hosts a conversation with Sentinel's Kath Intson about her journey building Sentinel R&D. See More.
CEO
Sentinel R&D
Managing Partner
Thrive Venture Fund – BDC Capital

9:15 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

What's Your Line? Developing Your Own AI Use Guidelines

Entrepreneurs are expected to build AI-forward companies. But somewhere along the way, you'll bump into a use case that makes you wince, and nobody is going to tell you where to draw the line between what's acceptable and what isn't. You have to figure that out for yourself. See More.
Founder & CEO
Camp Tech

9:40 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

The Evolution of Early-Stage Hiring: Rewriting the Playbook for the AI Era

In this talk, we'll share learnings across our 600+ startup portfolio on how founders decide how to allocate their most limited resources: time, talent, and cash. See More.
Partner
Hustle Fund

10:10 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

Empathy Is Our Superpower

Author of Purposeful Empathy, Anita Nowak, shares her six step process to being an empathetic leader. See More.
Founder
Purposeful Empathy by Design

10:35 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

Buy, Build, Lead: ETA as a Bold Path to Entrepreneurship

This session brings together an entrepreneur and an investor to share their perspectives and experiences. They’ll discuss why they chose this route, what they’ve learned along the way, and how expanding our view of entrepreneurship can unlock more inclusive pathways to leadership and ownership. See More.
Managing Director, Thrive Lab & Thrive ETA Fund
BDC
Founding Partner
MAGNUM Capital Partners
CEO & Founder
Arcbright

11:00 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

The VC Lightning Hotseat

Each of our VC's has been asked to bring 3 spicy questions for one of their colleagues. In this rapid fire, chain reaction panel we're going to get some great stories - zero preparation just 3 questions, in 5 minutes! See More.
Co-founder and Managing Partner
BKR Capital
Managing Partner
Thrive Venture Fund – BDC Capital
General Partner
White Star Capital
Partner
Real Ventures

11:20 AM EDT

BDC Women in Technology BootCamp

AMA & Meet the Investors

We've brought together some amazing VC's to answer your most pressing questions. Over the next 45 minutes enjoy a chance to connect, get advice and ask your questions - they're here for you! See More.

Apply Now!

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