Passing the Mic: The VC Exchange - Michelle McBane

Michelle brings her expertise and experience in venture capital to the table. She speaks about her journey when entering the VC industry and what led her to venture into starting her firm, StandUp Ventures. 

Michelle and her team at StandUp Ventures are advocates for women in venture capital and primarily invest in women-led companies. In this episode, Michelle shares how to navigate the barriers to entry in the industry and what we can learn from the emerging female entrepreneurship scene in Toronto and Waterloo. 

Michelle highlights the importance of diversity, community, mentorship, women in leadership, and finding the courage women need to embark into the venture capital world.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• You do not need to be a technologist to start your own tech company.

• More women in venture capital need to lead by encouraging other women to enter the VC industry.

• Women founders seek women funders. Diversity in the investment community needs to happen in order for more women to get funded.

• Mentorship is a way to train the next generation of women venture capitalists.

• Academic institutions, such as universities, need to spread awareness about venture capital in Canada to promote more Canadian talent entering the industry.

• For hiring managers: find, enter, and recruit where diverse talent is located.