Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs Forum

📅 Saturday, November 22, 2025
📍 Bayview Yards, Ottawa

Join Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC) for the first-ever Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs Forum, a half-day event created to support, connect, and celebrate immigrant and newcomer women at every stage of their business journey. Whether you are exploring an idea, starting up, or growing your venture, this forum is a space to learn, share, and feel inspired.

🌱 Hands-on workshops and panels with practical insights you can apply to your business
🤝 Networking and a marketplace where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and discover local immigrant-owned businesses
🎬 Special film screening of , a documentary that follows Zoonie Nguyen’s journey from Vietnam-war refugee to corporate leader and advocate for women in business worldwide
🔥 Fireside chat with Zoonie Nguyen and her co-producer, offering a unique keynote-style conversation
💬 Real-life stories and open conversations that will leave you motivated and supported

12:00 PM Guest Arrival, Registration, Marketplace soft opening

12:30 PM Opening Remarks

12:45 PM Learning Block 1: Workshops and Panel/Keynote (3 concurrent sessions)

1:45 PM Coffee Break with light refreshments

2:00 PM Learning Block 2: Workshops and Panel/Keynote (3 concurrent sessions)

3:00 PM Networking, Marketplace, Coffee Break

4:00 PM Screening of How She Dares (57 minutes)

5:00 PM Fireside Chat with documentary producer, Zoonie Nguyen

5:30 PM Closing Remarks

6:30 PM Marketplace closes and event ends

Immigrant and newcomer women — including non-binary and trans immigrant women — from Ottawa and surrounding areas who are:

• Running or dreaming of starting a service- or product-based business
• At any stage of the journey — from idea to startup to growth or acquisition
• Looking for confidence, clarity, and real community support
• Eager to learn through practical, culturally informed workshops

This forum is your opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, gain valuable knowledge, and celebrate the power of immigrant women in business. Seating is limited. Please RSVP today to confirm your place.

We look forward to welcoming you on November 22.

This event is hosted by Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC) with support from:
United Way Women United • Startup Women Fund (UPS and Scotiabank Women Initiative) • Bayview Yards • Square Technologies

Info: The Canadian documentary "How She Dares" follows Vietnamese-Canadian trailblazer Zoonie Nguyen on her journey from Vietnam-war refugee to corporate leader to advocate for women. After a life-altering crisis, she sets out to connect with inspiring women entrepreneurs worldwide, amplifying their voices and rising together in resilience and empowerment.

Info: The 57-minute screening will be followed by a live fireside chat with Zoonie and her co-producer, diving deeper into what it means to lead, dare, and build in the face of uncertainty. It’s not just a film — it’s a movement for resilience, representation, and visibility.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bayview Yards, 7 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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