This Earth Day we are looking at a notable opportunity for women entrepreneurs. The City of Toronto’s Women4ClimateTO program is making strategic investments to tackle climate change with innovative solutions; pairing entrepreneurs with mentors to provide guidance, support and valuable networking and training opportunities.
As the fourth largest metropolis in North America and a centre of commerce and culture with global influence, Toronto has an undeniable impact on the mounting climate crisis that affects our whole planet. The City of Toronto has its foot on the gas (of an EV!), with a multitude of initiatives to make Toronto one of the most environmentally sustainable cities in the world. Beyond daily operation of the municipality, the City is empowering and supporting entrepreneurs and innovators whose forward-thinking business practices are driving change.
Since its inception in 2021, Women4ClimateTO has become a powerhouse for entrepreneurial talent, having supported 62 innovators and propelled 59 climate action initiatives. The program isn’t just about guidance; it’s about cultivating the next generation of women-led climate entrepreneurs, combining high-caliber mentoring with practical tools, including tailored training and expansive networking opportunities designed specifically to empower passionate business leaders aiming to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Each year, twelve ambitious women receive a $500 honorarium upon completing the mentorship. Beyond that, the annual pitch competition—where the stakes are as high as the ambition—offers a $20,000 prize for the winner, while two runners-up secure $5,000 each to give their ventures a vital boost. Such incentives validate innovative ideas and infuse them with the capital needed to scale impact and foster resilient urban infrastructures.
This year’s W4CTO mentees and their climate-related projects and business start-ups include:
Marley Alles, rax: Canada’s peer-to-peer wardrobe rental app, leading the charge in transforming the fashion industry with sustainability, innovation and social impact at its core.
Lea Baribeau, HOT Architecture: Dedicated to transforming the construction industry, HOT Architecture reimagines what’s possible by designing, building and delivering prefabricated homes that are elegant, efficient, and sustainable.
Sann Chan, OneHub Growth ‘Ready-to-Work-Closet’: An inclusive movement that promotes climate awareness, poverty reduction, and mental health support for immigrant and refugee women by redistributing reusable work clothing to enhance income security and sustainability.
Chloe Doesburg, SeaFoam: Transforming the construction industry with carbon-storing, seaweed-based insulation—an innovative alternative to high-emission materials.
Dilini Fernando, Certitude by K: Minimizing waste in the fashion industry by promoting mindful consumption and extending the lifecycle of garments through creative upcycling.
Rosa Fragomeni, Trees of Life: An ecological approach to memorializing. Empowering loved ones in their choice of location, ceremony and plant species.
Amanda Horn, ShowerThoughts: A circular personal care company revolutionizing sustainability with Merroir, a proprietary seaweed-based biomaterial designed to replace single-use beauty products.
Ikinori Lau, Humber River Pals: A collective dedicated to organizing cleanups and fostering environmental stewardship along the Humber River.
Kelly Okamura, REmarket: A series of community events to promote the REmarketing of usable post-consumer goods that can be REused, REpaired and REcycled.
Tiffany Tran, KAUMODAKI: The first circular economy for cigarette butts. Pocket-friendly bins, help smokers responsibly store and discard their cigarette butts.
Mary Whittle, Start NØW: A platform designed to aid organizations in undertaking their climate journey in a self-serve, self-paced environment.
Chengye Yang, Regrain: an innovative biorefinery that transforms agri-food byproducts into sustainable products, including Regrain—natural food made from butternut squash seeds and upcycled soaps.
To champion these initiatives, experienced mentors from both the public and private sectors offer expertise in climate action, business strategy, finance, marketing and communications. Their real-world insights can be the catalyst that transforms a visionary concept into a scalable business. Women4ClimateTO stands as a testament to forward-thinking public policy that propels entrepreneurship to the forefront of climate action.
To learn about this year’s Women4ClimateTO program and how to get involved, visit the City’s Women4ClimateTO webpage.
For entrepreneurs passionate about driving change, Women4ClimateTO offers a powerful boost, with funding opportunities, expert guidance and a thriving network of like-minded leaders. It is designed to help you scale your vision and strengthen your business. If you would be a good fit for the Women4ClimateTO program, or you know any women who would be, make sure to subscribe to the City’s Live Green newsletter to be notified when applications open for 2026.
Let’s keep growing businesses and initiatives that keep our planet healthy and our economy strong!
