Vicki Saunders is a visionary entrepreneur, author, mentor, and globally recognized change-maker dedicated to revolutionizing the way we support, celebrate, and finance female and non-binary entrepreneurs. As the founder of SheEO, now rebranded as Coralus, Vicki has created a global not-for-profit that pioneers innovative funding models, breaking traditional barriers in venture capital. With a mission deeply rooted in sustainability, equity, and inclusivity, her work spans across Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Over her illustrious career, Vicki has co-founded and led several ventures worldwide, earning accolades for her trailblazing approach to regenerative financing. Coralus stands as a testament to her belief in the power of collective intelligence and community-driven impact.
Early Life and Inspirations
Born and raised on a farm, Vicki Saunders grew up in an environment that shaped her perspective on equity and resilience. Surrounded by boys, she quickly recognized the inherent gender disparities in societal expectations. From an early age, she questioned these norms, particularly the additional responsibilities placed on her as a girl, while pursuing her passion for sports. Her determination led her to break barriers as the only girl on a boys’ soccer team by age 12.
Vicki’s formative years instilled in her a deep understanding of systemic bias and the challenges of creating lasting change. “You can’t tweak your way to a new world,” she often reflects. “It has to be radically redesigned.” This realization laid the foundation for her lifelong mission to create equitable systems that uplift marginalized voices.
The Birth of SheEO: A New Model for Financing
In 2015, Vicki Saunders founded SheEO, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the glaring gender disparities in venture capital funding. At the time, women entrepreneurs globally received less than 4% of available capital, a statistic Vicki was determined to change.
SheEO introduced an innovative model of regenerative capital, offering 0% interest loans to ventures led by women and non-binary individuals. The entrepreneurs repay these loans, and the funds are reinvested into future ventures, creating a perpetual cycle of financial support. The organization’s selection process emphasizes sustainable development goals, ensuring that the funded ventures contribute meaningfully to solving global challenges.
The impact of SheEO’s model has been transformative, with 45% of its capital allocated to Black, Indigenous, and women of color entrepreneurs, and 12% to Indigenous-led ventures – achievements rarely seen in traditional funding systems.
From SheEO to Coralus: Embracing Inclusivity and Collective Impact
In 2023, SheEO underwent a pivotal transformation, rebranding as Coralus. The name change symbolized a shift from focusing on individual leadership (“CEO”) to fostering a collective, ecosystem-driven approach. Vicki explains, “The concept of a CEO – one person at the top running everything – is outdated. It takes a whole collective to change the conditions for us to thrive.”
The rebranding also reflected Coralus’ commitment to inclusivity, expanding its scope to non-binary individuals. By dismantling hierarchical structures, Coralus empowers its community to make decisions collectively, blending financial, social, and emotional capital to support entrepreneurs holistically.
A Visionary for a New Economic Model
Vicki Saunders is not content with merely leveling the playing field; she advocates for creating an entirely new one. She believes the current economic systems are outdated and insufficient to address today’s challenges, such as climate change and growing inequality. “I think the problems we face have evolved beyond the institutions that were set up to deal with them,” she asserts.
Under Vicki’s leadership, Coralus has become a demonstration project for a better way of distributing capital and fostering innovation. By decentralizing decision-making and encouraging radical generosity, Coralus showcases the power of community-led economies.
Notable Success Stories
Coralus has been instrumental in bringing groundbreaking ideas to life. One of its early success stories is 21 Toys, a venture that develops innovative tools to teach essential skills like empathy and failure through play. Thanks to Coralus’ community connections, 21 Toys secured a major contract with a leading bank to train 40,000 employees, illustrating the ripple effect of Vicki’s model.
These stories highlight the transformative potential of Vicki’s approach – connecting entrepreneurs with resources, influence, and support systems that extend beyond traditional funding.
A Legacy of Radical Generosity
Vicki Saunders’ impact extends far beyond the ventures she has funded. Through Coralus, she has demonstrated that a more equitable, sustainable world is possible when we rethink how we allocate resources and redefine success.
As she continues to build new systems, Vicki remains a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs worldwide. Her unwavering belief in collective power, radical generosity, and innovative thinking has set a new standard for what inclusive entrepreneurship can achieve.
Conclusion:-
Vicki Saunders’ visionary leadership has revolutionized the way we approach entrepreneurship, equity, and funding. From founding SheEO to transforming it into Coralus, she has pioneered a groundbreaking community-driven model that empowers female and non-binary entrepreneurs. By introducing regenerative capital and emphasizing collective decision-making, Vicki has demonstrated that traditional venture capital systems can be reimagined to prioritize inclusivity, sustainability, and systemic change.
Under her leadership, Coralus has become a beacon of innovation, supporting ventures that address global challenges while fostering a culture of radical generosity. Notable successes, like 21 Toys, showcase the transformative impact of connecting entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and community support.
Vicki’s unwavering belief in collective intelligence and her commitment to dismantling outdated hierarchical structures continue to inspire a new generation of change-makers. Her legacy is a testament to the power of rethinking systems to create a more equitable, inclusive, and thriving global economy.Readmore