At the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Amoye Henry, MBA, a prominent early-stage startup investor and executive consultant, delivered a powerful address, challenging Canada’s approach to entrepreneurship, investment, and economic sovereignty. As the Executive Consultant of Pitch Better Africa and General Partner of FoundHers Ventures, Amoye has raised $20 million for various innovation projects, catalyzing over $150 million in residual capital.
Amoye’s work spans across four continents, focusing on scaling growth-based businesses led by women and underrepresented founders. Recently, she was awarded a UAE Golden Visa to build a women-focused accelerator in the UAE, aligning with the country’s efforts to position itself as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Canada’s Future: Investment vs. Economic Sovereignty
“Canada is NOT for sale. But are we truly investing in its future?” Amoye posed this critical question as she outlined the challenges and opportunities in the country’s startup and investment ecosystem.
With rising global trade tensions, Amoye emphasized that Canada’s economic strength relies not just on foreign investment, but on homegrown businesses, bold entrepreneurs, and a commitment to economic sovereignty.
The New Face of Canadian Entrepreneurship
Amoye highlighted the shifting business landscape and the increasing role of diverse founders in reshaping Canada’s economic future. One-third of Canadian businesses are immigrant-owned, contributing significantly to job creation. Indigenous-owned businesses have grown by 43% since 2005, yet they remain underfunded. Women-led startups generate 78 cents per dollar invested, compared to 31 cents for male-led startups, demonstrating their resilience despite funding disparities.
Key Themes Shaping Canada’s Entrepreneurial Future
Amoye stressed that diversity is not charity but a competitive advantage. “Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform industry averages,” she stated, calling for increased investment in women, Indigenous, and immigrant founders to drive Canada’s economic future. She pointed to Manjit Minhas, who founded Minhas Breweries at 19 with just $10,000, growing it into a $155M brewing empire.
The role of technology was another major theme. Seventy-one percent of startups now incorporate AI and machine learning, with Canadian tech jobs growing by 213% since 2006. Venture capital investment in Canadian tech reached $6.9 billion in 2023. Claudette McGowan, the founder of Protexxa, recently secured a $10 million Series A round to drive AI-powered cybersecurity innovations, reflecting the digital transformation in Canada’s business landscape.
Amoye also addressed the rise of the gig economy and flexible work. Twenty-two percent of Canada’s workforce now participates in the gig economy, with a 40% increase in self-employed professionals since 2020. Entrepreneurs like Kevin Selch, a former federal economist turned brewery owner, illustrate how flexibility and innovation are driving success.
Beyond global ambitions, Canadian entrepreneurs continue to impact their local communities. Thirteen percent of Canadian startups now have international customers, with small and medium enterprises driving $150 billion in international trade in 2023. Entrepreneurs like Huda Idrees, who built Canada’s first consumer health data platform and expanded it to serve over 2 million Canadians, demonstrate how businesses can scale internationally while maintaining a local impact.
“Success is no longer just about profits—it’s about impact,” Amoye stated. Eighty-four percent of Canadians prioritize fulfillment over corporate ladder climbing, and 76% believe social impact is crucial to business success. Jennifer Harper, founder of Cheekbone Beauty, exemplifies this shift, having built a sustainable, Indigenous-owned beauty brand now sold at Sephora and JCPenney.
Beyond Talk: Taking Action
Amoye concluded with a call to action for Canadian businesses, investors, and policymakers. “We need to commit to spending 10-15% of revenue on diverse suppliers and vendors,” she urged. “Support underrepresented entrepreneurs strategically—not as a checkbox, but as a core business priority. Recognize that relationships are the strongest currency in business—we win together, or not at all.”
She commended the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce for providing a platform that drives real change and emphasized the urgency of investing in Canada’s economic resilience.
“Canada is NOT for sale—but it’s time we truly own our economic future. Who’s ready to invest in change?”
