Empowering and inspiring women and gender diverse entrepreneurs.
The North Forge Women in Innovation Lab (WiLab™) provides women and gender diverse entrepreneurs with top-of-the-line resources, and a team of expert mentors ready to guide and support you every step of the way.
Join a vibrant community of women+ in innovation.
The Women in Innovation Lab (WiLab) at North Forge is a comprehensive program aimed at empowering women and gender diverse entrepreneurs by offering them critical resources, mentorship, and community support. We would like to formalize the program offerings and provide resources for members in 4 key areas: Knowledge Sharing, Skill Development, Networking, and Mentorship. These pillars are integrated through workshops, networking activities, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities that run throughout the year.
WiLab was created to actively invite and support female-identifying and gender diverse persons to participate more readily in Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem.Wi
Manitoba is notably lagging behind in terms of female entrepreneurship, with 12.9% of women engaged in entrepreneurial activities compared to 14.6% in other provinces.
Source: Women’s Entrepreneurship in Western Canada: GEM Canada 2019 Survey
Lunch & Learns
WiLab’s monthly Lunch and Learns are informal, interactive sessions where participants gather over lunch to gain valuable insights on specific topics, network, and exchange ideas in a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere. Must be a member to attend. No cost to attend.
Workshops
WiLab workshops and courses are expert-led educational sessions designed to equip participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills on specific topics, helping them grow and excel in their entrepreneurial journey. Must be a member to attend. No cost to attend.
Networking
WiLab networking events take place in vibrant, fun locations across Winnipeg, offering attendees the chance to build new connections in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Each event has a primary focus on helping entrepreneurs grow and strengthen their networks. Must be a member to attend. No cost to attend.
Mentorship
WiLab is launching a formal mentorship program offering free 1:1 guidance from expert women mentors. The goal is to create a roster of 20 mentors, providing personalized support for members. Once available, members can request mentorship directly through the website.
No-cost programming includes:
Upcoming Events
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