The ONSIDE Effect: Breaking Barriers and Building Legacies in Innovation

In Canada’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape, ONSIDE is revolutionizing how diverse women build lasting legacies.

Under the leadership of Alexandra McCann, this Nova Scotia-based community accelerator focuses on dismantling systemic barriers through innovative programming, shaping pathways to prosperity for generations.

“I live by a mantra to embrace diversity, connect, share, and lift up others,” McCann reflects. Her deep commitment emphasizes that fostering community is essential in overcoming barriers. As a Black woman with 25 years of international business experience spanning vibrant cultures in Thailand, Ivory Coast, Japan, and the U.K., McCann enriches ONSIDE’s mission with her unique global perspective. Her grandfather’s story—a trained engineer denied opportunities due to racial discrimination—drives her mission. “Innovation and entrepreneurship are gateways to prosperity,” she says. “We need to ensure that everyone has access to those gateways.”

ONSIDE’s flagship program, Start Now Incubator has exemplified this commitment, having significantly supported over 1,600 women entrepreneurs nationwide, including 420 Black women entrepreneurs as of June 2023. This has transformed the entrepreneurial landscape for these communities, as the virtual platform provides more than business skills - it fosters a supportive ecosystem that empowers women, equipping them with crucial knowledge, confidence, and resources to overcome systemic barriers.

Through weekly virtual sessions, peer mentoring circles, and on-demand learning modules, participants gain both practical skills and valuable connections. “We’re really proud of the community that we serve and creating a safe space,” McCann notes. “When women come to our programs, they find not just education but belonging.”

Through structured programming and mentorship, participants like Gem Roberts, founder of door-to-door laundry service The Cold Foam, access expert guidance, peer support groups, and networking opportunities, directly transforming their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. “Before ONSIDE, I had the vision but needed the roadmap,” Roberts shares. After participating in ONSIDE’s Foundations for Impact program, she secured a $100,000 grant from CUA, enabling her sustainable laundry products company to expand production, invest in marketing, and create jobs in her community. The impact rippled beyond her business - she now mentors other women entrepreneurs in sustainable manufacturing.

Similarly, Jayne Akyini, CEO of Dada Dunia, refined her business strategy through three ONSIDE cohort programs, ultimately earning the prestigious 2024 Halifax New Business Award. Her journey from program participant to award-winning CEO exemplifies ONSIDE’s transformative approach.

Building on these success stories, ONSIDE takes a comprehensive approach to supporting women entrepreneurs. Their work focuses on two key areas: immediate support through direct programming and long-term systemic change. The direct support includes specialized workshops in financial management, marketing strategies, AI integration, and export planning. Understanding that women entrepreneurs often juggle multiple responsibilities, including childcare, ONSIDE ensures their programs are flexible and accessible, while providing crucial guidance for funding opportunities. Their virtual platform adapts to various learning styles, offering both synchronous and asynchronous options to accommodate diverse schedules.

Beyond individual support, ONSIDE is committed to creating lasting change in Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape. Their Inclusive Innovation Monitor tracks over 30 indicators of equity in the innovation sector, revealing crucial insights. One striking finding shows Black tech workers face a $13,000 wage gap compared to the Canadian average. Armed with this data, ONSIDE works with partners across sectors to advocate for policy changes that create more equitable opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs. They’ve established partnerships with leading financial institutions, technology companies, and government agencies to create comprehensive support networks.

This commitment to systemic change found new urgency during recent social justice movements and the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed even deeper inequities in the business world. In response, ONSIDE expanded its focus while maintaining its commitment to accessible, inclusive support. They’ve launched digital transformation workshops, e-commerce training programs, and international trade initiatives designed specifically for women-led businesses.

This evolution has particularly benefited immigrant women entrepreneurs, who show the highest entrepreneurial drive in Canada. ONSIDE’s approach combines culturally sensitive training with practical support, including multilingual resources and mentorship from leaders with similar backgrounds. They offer specialized workshops on Canadian business culture, regulatory compliance, and market entry strategies in multiple languages. Their impact extends beyond direct support through initiatives like their entrepreneurship podcast and the Inclusive Innovation Mural project, which inspire the next generation of diverse business leaders.

“When given the opportunity to thrive, everyone benefits,” McCann reflects. Through comprehensive support and advocacy, ONSIDE isn’t just helping women build businesses —they’re laying the foundation for transformative, generational change within Canada’s innovation economy.

Each success story represents a step toward their vision: an entrepreneurial ecosystem where innovation truly knows no bounds, and where diverse women entrepreneurs can build legacies that inspire generations to come.

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