SVX FundCircle: Impact & Gender Lens Track
For women and non-binary fund managers at every stage — launching, refining, or scaling their fund.
Type: VIRTUAL
For: Women and non-binary fund managers building or growing a fund based in Canada. *We encourage those from equity-seeking backgrounds to apply (i.e., those located in rural / remote areas; identify as Indigenous, Black, or other person of colour, person with a disability, 2SLGBTQ2+, Newcomer to Canada within the last 5 years, or other.)
Start Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Application Deadline: Extended to Friday, January 23, 2026
Program Description
FundCircle: Impact & Gender Lens Track is a community-centered program designed for women and non-binary fund managers who are building, launching, or strengthening an impact investment fund. Blending peer learning, expert guidance, and applied exercises, the program helps fund managers clarify their investment thesis, integrate gender-lens practices, enhance due diligence and impact measurement systems, and strengthen their fundraising and LP engagement strategies – no matter their stage of development.
Participants join a supportive cohort where they can build trust, exchange experiences, and deepen their expertise alongside other fund managers navigating similar opportunities and challenges. Emerging funds gain structure and foundational tools to design or refine their strategy, while established funds sharpen advanced practices through targeted peer exchange and expert-led sessions.
Through interactive workshops, optional 1:1 advisory, and practical templates, FundCircle equips fund managers with the clarity, confidence, and community needed to advance their fund’s impact and capital-raising journey.
This program is for fund managers at any stage of development.
- Emerging and early-stage funds seeking to clarify their strategy, strengthen their impact and due diligence frameworks, and build a compelling fundraising narrative will advance these goals through structured tools, templates, and guided exercises.
- Established funds aiming to deepen gender-lens integration, enhance IMM systems, and strengthen capital raising and LP engagement will do so through advanced peer exchange, expert clinics, and targeted support.
*This program accepts funds based in Canada.
*We encourage those from equity-seeking backgrounds to apply (i.e., those located in rural / remote areas; identify as Indigenous, Black, or other person of colour, person with a disability, 2SLGBTQ2+, Newcomer to Canada within the last 5 years, or other.)
Program Perks include:
Five live, interactive workshops (peer-to-peer learning)
Optional 1:1 advisory (“office hours”) for differentiated needs
Applied exercises aligned with impact and gender-lens fund management
How the Program Works
The program will include the following:
Five live, interactive workshops (peer-to-peer learning)
Each session is designed for 2 hours and includes:
- 15–20 min expert talk
- 40 min workshop (small groups)
- 40 min plenary + Q&A
- 20 min wrap-up, next steps, and peer commitments
Key Learning Outcomes
By March 2026, funds will have:
A strengthened investment thesis, gender-lens framework, and a stronger fundraising narrative and LP engagement strategy
Updated or newly developed due diligence and IMM systems
Improved financial modeling and portfolio analysis
Expanded relationships through a cooperative peer network
Who Can Apply
SVX accepts two main fund profiles:
1. Emerging / Early-Stage Funds
- Clarifying fund strategy and thesis
- Creating or refining investment policy, due diligence frameworks, and impact approach
- Building a fundraising narrative
2. Established / Mature Funds
- Deepening gender-lens integration
- Strengthening IMM systems
- Advancing in capital raising and LP relations
To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Impact-driven investment thesis
Applicants must demonstrate that the fund they are structuring, or strengthening, has an impact-first thesis.
- The primary objective of the investment vehicle must be to generate a measurable positive socio-environmental impact.
- Funds must clearly distinguish their impact objectives from traditional ESG strategies or conventional financial investment mandates.
- Invest in enterprises that provide products or services for women
- Demonstrate a strong commitment with gender focus internal policies
2. Women-led Teams
Preference will be given to women-led fund management teams, defined as teams where women occupy key leadership roles and/or hold decision-making authority within the fund’s governance or investment process.
3. Experience level of the Management Team
The program is open to fund managers at different stages of development, including:
- Teams structuring their first impact investment fund, and
- Experienced fund managers seeking to strengthen, deepen, or scale their impact thesis and optimize their impact measurement and monitoring (IMM) model.
3. Availability and Commitment of the Management Team
Eligible funds should demonstrate strong availability and commitment. This includes:
- Attendance: Key management team members must participate in virtual sessions. Additional team members may join as appropriate.
- Action Orientation: Teams must show commitment to taking all necessary steps to ensure the fund’s development and eventual launch.
- Reporting: Submission of required information according to the program’s timelines and formats.
- Mentorship Engagement: Attendance and active participation in one-on-one sessions with assigned mentors and technical experts.
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