Women entrepreneurs across Canada will once again gather online for StrikeUP 2026, a free national digital conference set for February 26 under the theme Rise to the Challenge. Running from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the event will serve as a kickoff to International Women’s Month and will feature a mix of keynote inspiration, strategic business learning and virtual networking.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, four-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Her story of resilience, leadership and trailblazing impact will open the day’s programming and set the tone for a conference focused on innovation, determination and growth.
Throughout the event, participants will be invited to take part in interactive sessions addressing leadership in uncertain economic conditions, pricing and packaging strategies, financial empowerment, building meaningful business networks, export readiness for women-owned firms, and the use of AI in marketing workflows.
Co-presented by the Scotiabank Women Initiative and Export Development Canada, StrikeUP has become a signature event supporting women-led businesses nationwide. One standout feature is its virtual networking capacity, including AI-powered entrepreneurial matchmaking and topic-focused chat rooms. Past attendees have described the program as transformative, citing major gains in confidence, knowledge and business connections.
StrikeUP Canada has now engaged more than 22,000 women entrepreneurs through its conference and year-round programming, supporting inclusive economic opportunity and access to resources.
Registration and additional details are available at strikeup.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
