Canada’s leading pitch program for women entrepreneurs
Pitch Your Vision. Fuel Your Growth.
What Is The Odlum Brown
Forum Pitch?
Funding starts with community.
One of the biggest barriers women entrepreneurs face is connecting with folks who can open doors to the right funding opportunities.
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch was developed to address this barrier.
With community at the heart of this program, its goal is to foster connections with funders, leaders and experts who are ready to support you on your funding and business journey.
Along the way, you’ll gain tangible experience, build confidence, refine your pitch and build a toolkit that will set you up for growth that aligns with your vision.
Who is it for?
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch is for all Canadian self-identifying women, non-binary, and trans-femme entrepreneurs who are fundraising within the next 12 months and looking to plug into a fiercely supportive community who can help them achieve their goals.
Whether you’ve been through a raise before, or are preparing for your first, we can support.
YOU’RE INVITED
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final Events
We’re excited to be gathering our community to kick off The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final Events in Toronto! Finalists will be announced LIVE at The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final Event in Vancouver.
Join us on February 13 in Toronto and February 20 in Vancouver to practice community as a verb and support the Semi-Finalists as they pitch their business visions.
You’re invited
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final Events
We’re excited to be gathering our community to kick off The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final Events in Toronto! Finalists will be announced LIVE at The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final Event in Vancouver.
Join us on February 13 in Toronto and February 20 in Vancouver to practice community as a verb and support the Semi-Finalists as they pitch their business visions.
Confidence, community and pathways to funding
That’s what The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program is for.
Addressing the barrier of access to capital, the program offers 1:1 mentorship, coaching, education, national exposure, specialized resources and access to a community who can create funding opportunities and help you grow your business with confidence.
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program has been funded in part through the Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Where are they now?
Meet the Finalists from last year and learn more about how the program has transformed their businesses since participating!
Receive up to $90,000 CAD worth of prizing,
resources, and education, and more
As an Applicant, you will...
Find clarity for your business - its purpose, goals, and key value proposition - as you practice sharing your vision with others.
Access an active community that will support and fiercely champion you – with potential to meet investors, mentors, collaborators and more.
Benefit from educational programming (valued at $500).
As a Semi-Finalist, you will...
Receive paid trips to the Toronto and Vancouver Semi-Final events.
Meet entrepreneurs, make new connections and activate your social capital.
Connect with funders looking to support businesses just like yours.
Receive 1:1 mentorship (valued at $5,000) from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts to help you prepare for the The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi Final Events.
Access the The Forum Mentor Program, valid for 12 months of 1-1 mentor support (approximate value: $300).
Semi-Finalists can access this prize within 12 months of becoming a Semi-Finalist.
As a Finalist, you will...
Receive one of three prize packages each with an estimated value of $30,000 CAD in financial and social capital as well as mentorship to help fuel your company’s growth.
Gain brand exposure through national PR coverage (valued at $5,000) and The Forum’s Canada-wide community of women entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and sponsors (valued at $30,000).
Receive exclusive videos and photos that highlight your business story and program experience to share throughout your community (valued at $15,000).
Receive performance coaching (valued at $2,500).
Get complimentary access to E-Series (valued at $1,500) – a transformative educational program for women entrepreneurs that provides essential education and tools to take your business to the next level.
This program is made possible by the generous support of all our sponsors, including:
TITLE SPONSOR
CAPITAL SPONSOR
The sponsors of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program believe in the power and potential of women entrepreneurs. We are so grateful for their continual support of our programming.
Interested in sponsoring or becoming a patron?
For all sponsorship inquiries, or to reserve a table for The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale on April 25, 2025, click below to learn more or contact lisa@theforum.ca.
Program Key Dates 2024/2025
2024 |
September 19Applications Open |
October 24Applications Close |
NOVEMBER 6 & 13Complimentary Two Days Of Live Virtual Education Sessions |
December 5Semi-Finalists Announced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 |
February 13Semi-Final Event in Toronto & Entrepreneur Showcase |
February 20Semi-Final Event in Vancouver & Entrepreneur Showcase |
April 25Finale Event |
|
2023/2024 FINALISTS
Meet last year’s Finalists!
Meet the 3 Finalists who won $46,500 CAD prize packages to fund their business visions at The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale on April 25, 2024!
Featured
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale 2023-2024
Watch the highlights from this incredible evening.
Relive The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final
The wonderfully talented Jamie-Lee Fuoco has supported us in curating a gallery of her photography from the Vancouver event. Browse the images on Flickr, and remember to please credit Fuoco Photography if you share them!
The Women's Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) Report
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch 2022-2023
This report is the outcome of a research partnership between The Forum and The Women's Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) at Toronto Metropolitan University.
WEKH evaluated the applications for The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch 2022/2023 program to enhance our understanding of the needs of women entrepreneurs.
Read more to learn how applicants navigated challenges and the impact of the pandemic on their revenues, supply chain, and labor.
Investor Solicitation Disclaimer:
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program does not act as an intermediary, broker, or in any capacity that solicits investors on behalf of participants. Our role is solely to furnish support and resources, at our sole discretion, aimed at equipping participants with the necessary tools and preparedness for their final pitch. This includes facilitating opportunities for participants to present their pitches directly to potential investors.
However, The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the outcome of these pitches or the success of any funding efforts. Participation in the program does not guarantee any level of success in securing capital or favorable terms from investors.