International Women's Day 2026: Founder-Investor Panel and Mixer #GiveToGain 💜

Name: International Women's Day 2026: Founder-Investor Panel and Mixer #GiveToGain 💜
Start: 2026-03-11T17:30:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-11T20:00:00-04:00
Location: Dentons

Mar 11, 9:30 PM – Mar 12, 12:00 AM (UTC)

Toronto

Dentons, 77 King Street West, Toronto, M5K 0A1

Celebrate IWD with a tactical conversation to decode the reality of building as a female founder, FemTech, and the 2026 fundraising landscape. We’re embracing the 2026 IWD theme of #GiveToGain, sharing our hardest-earned lessons to create a collective advantage for Toronto’s tech ecosystem.

In-person event

Panel DiscussionParty

About this event

On March 11th, Startup Grind Toronto is bringing together a founder, a venture capitalist, and an angel investor to tackle the real challenges of building and fundraising in FemTech.
Join us for an honest, tactical look at navigating the market, closing the funding gap, and scaling companies in FemTech today.
Meet the Panel
Parnian Majd (Founder and CEO, Fibra): A pioneer in the FemTech space, Parnian is navigating the front lines of health-tech innovation and breaking the taboos of women's health.
Mellie Chow (Venture Partner, Archangel Axion & Techstars Toronto): An engineer-turned-venture capitalist, Mellie is deeply committed to closing the gender equity funding gap, with a portfolio featuring 27% women-led companies.
Orchid Jahanshahi (Founder and Angel Investor, ThinkrBelle): A seasoned founder and angel investor, Orchid brings a unique perspective on scaling in overlooked sectors and navigating the challenges of early-stage growth.
Meredith Bacal (Partner, Dentons): Our moderator, ensuring we bridge the gap between legal strategy and founder reality.
AGENDA:
5:30 PM: Registration & Networking
6:15 PM: Panel & Audience Q&A
6:45 PM: The Mixer (Refreshments and curated networking)
WHO SHOULD BE IN THE ROOM?
Founders & Builders: If you are currently raising capital or growing a company—especially in complex sectors like HealthTech or FemTech—this is your peer group.
Investors & Angels: VCs and private investors looking to connect with high-growth, female-led ventures and stay pulse-checked on 2026 trends.
Ecosystem Leaders: Advisors and operators who want to engage in straightforward knowledge-sharing rather than just standard networking.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The 2026 Fundraising Market: A transparent look from Mellie Chow (Venture Partner, Archangel Axion & Techstars Toronto) and Orchid Jahanshahi (Angel Investor and Founder, ThinkrBelle) on what investors are actually looking for in the current climate.
Scaling in Overlooked Sectors: Parnian Majd (CEO of Fibra) shares the reality of building a company in a market that traditional investors often misunderstand.
Effective Support Systems: How to move away from trying to solve every problem on your own. Our speakers will share the specific advice and introductions that actually moved the needle for them.
Curated Networking: Following the panel, we’re hosting a mixer designed to help you meet the right investors, mentors, or future partners.
Capacity at Dentons is limited to ensure everyone has a chance to make quality connections. Secure your spot today.

About Our Venue Partner, Dentons
Dentons is the world's largest law firm. Our legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including the Dentons Venture Hub, an innovative and informative online resource centre. Dentons’ polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and public interests in a rapidly changing world.