Your funding path starts here
Mentorship. Exposure. Education.
Connections to Funders.
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch
share your business vision in a 1-minute video.
Need inspiration? See how Connie Lo, Co-Founder of Three Ships, outlines her business vision in this example of a 1-minute pitch.
After you’ve applied, you’ll also have the opportunity to improve your pitching skills throughout the program. Just watch the 2023/24 Finale pitches from PragmaClin, Apricotton and Revol Cares!
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch
share your business vision in a 1-minute video.
Need inspiration? See how Connie Lo, Co-Founder of Three Ships, outlines her business vision in this example of a 1-minute pitch.
After you’ve applied, you’ll also have the opportunity to improve your pitching skills throughout the program. Just watch the 2023/24 Finale pitches from Pragmaclin, Apricotton and Revol Cares!
How does the program work?
APPLICATIONS OPEN
SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 24, 2024
4pm PDT / 7pm EDT
It all starts with a 1-minute pitch video, where you share your business vision and the impact it will have on our communities.
We’d love to hear your business vision, passions, and the amount of financial capital you're seeking to activate your growth.
LIVE VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSIONS
NOVEMBER 6 & 13, 2024
Join us for two days of free live virtual education sessions to help you learn more about how to access the right capital for your business.
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll host virtual education sessions with our community. During these sessions, you’ll learn and connect with lenders, investors, experts and peers who can help you access the capital you need to expand your business.
SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
DECEMBER 5, 2024
The Forum Community Panel – who represent a cross-section of industries, backgrounds, and geographies – will review all submissions and choose the Semi-Finalists, whose businesses will be celebrated and receive exposure through The Forum’s national channels.
HONE YOUR PITCH
DECEMBER 2024 - FEBRUARY 2025
As a Semi-Finalist, you’ll be paired with a dedicated mentor to help you prepare and hone your storytelling skills.
You’ll review and re-work your pitch to be 3 minutes in length alongside someone who has real-world experience and specialized expertise to support you in crafting your pitch.
SEMI-FINAL EVENT - TORONTO
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
All Semi-Finalists will pitch live at the first Semi-Final Event in Toronto. Our Community Panel will ask questions, share observations and score the pitch to help you learn and grow.
Please note travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for anyone who does not live in Toronto. All Semi-Finalists are required to attend to be eligible for the program. Prior to applying, please ensure you are able to be in Toronto by 12pm local time on February 13, 2025.
SEMI-FINAL EVENT - VANCOUVER
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
After the first round of pitching in Toronto, Semi-Finalists will pitch live again at the Semi-Final Event in Vancouver. Our Community Panel will ask questions and share observations that can help you learn and grow. Then, the Finalists will be selected and announced!
Please note travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for anyone who does not live in Vancouver. All Semi-Finalists are required to attend to be eligible for the program. Prior to applying, please ensure you are able to be in Vancouver by 12pm local time on February 20, 2025.
REFINE YOUR FUNDRAISING PITCH
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2025
If selected, you’ll work with a new mentor and a presentation coach to prepare your final pitch.
These experts will help you integrate the feedback you’ve received, access specialized resources for your business, and give you personalized guidance on how to further refine your final pitch for The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale.
SHARE YOUR FINAL PITCH & MEET THE COMMUNITY
APRIL 25, 2025 - THE ODLUM BROWN FORUM PITCH FINALE
You’ll share your refined pitch one last time, presenting to an audience of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors. As one of the three Finalists you’ll then receive a prize package with an estimated value of $30,000 CAD, in financial, social, and wisdom capital, which will help you fund your business, continue to improve your skills, access specialized support and more. One business will also receive an additional cash prize of $20,000 CAD.
We’ll invite a community of hundreds to celebrate your journey and practice community as a verb–offering what they can to help you achieve your business goals and get access to capital.
Ready to access more opportunities for your business than you ever thought possible?
Applications are now closed. Join the waitlist for 2025/2026.
Explore the #PathToPitch
Hundreds of women entrepreneurs nationwide have taken the leap to apply for The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program. Discover the inspiring journeys of both past and present applicants as they share their experiences below!
Ready to learn how to fund your business goals?
This program includes two days of complimentary live virtual education sessions on November 6 and 13. These will help you learn more about the types of funding that can accelerate your business, how to access them and how to pitch for them.
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll invite you to these sessions to hear from our community of lenders, investors and peers.
Sessions are available to all applicants of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program and details will be sent to you as part of your confirmation email when we receive your completed application form to the program.
Ready to learn with us?
This program includes two days of complimentary live virtual education sessions on November 6 and 13. These will help you learn more about the types of funding that can accelerate your business, how to access them and how to pitch for them.
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll invite you to these sessions to hear from our community of lenders, investors and peers.
Sessions are available to all applicants of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program and details will be sent to you as part of your confirmation email when we receive your completed application form to the program.
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Education
Join us for two days of complimentary live virtual education sessions to help you learn more about the types of capitals that can accelerate your business, how to access them and how to pitch for them.
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll host a series of webinars with our community of lenders, investors and peers so you feel connected to, and supported by, industry experts and entrepreneurs who can help you thrive.
Day 1: November 6, 2024
| TIME (PT/ET) | SESSION |
|---|---|
| 9:30am PT 12:30pm ET |
Program Opening |
| 9:50am PT 12:50pm ET |
Community Networking |
| 10:05am PT 1:05pm ET |
Access to Capital: Debt |
| 10:55am PT 1:55pm ET |
Access to Capital: Equity |
| Breakout A: Understanding the Early-Stage Investor (Foundations) | |
| Breakout B: Level Up for Your Next Funding Round (Advanced) | |
| 11:40am PT 2:40pm ET |
BREAK |
| 11:45am PT 2:45pm ET |
Access to Capital: Grant Getter's Toolkit - Actionable Steps to Win Big |
| 12:30pm PT 3:30pm ET |
Reflection |
| 12:40pm PT 3:40pm ET |
Before Your Next Raise - Choose Your Own Adventure |
| Breakout Room A: Legal Tips to Get Investor Ready | |
| Breakout Room B: Know Your Numbers & Metrics that Matter (Financials)
Pre-recorded video on Valuation available. |
|
| 1:30pm PT 4:30pm ET |
BREAK |
| 1:40pm PT 4:40pm ET |
Pitching Your Business Vision |
| 2:25pm PT 5:25pm ET |
Day 1 Reflections + Closing |
Day 2: November 13, 2024
| TIME (PT/ET) | SESSION |
|---|---|
| 9:30am PT 12:30pm ET |
Welcome |
| 9:40am PT 12:40pm ET |
Connect to Capital Panel: The Real BTS (Behind the Scenes) with Entrepreneurs & Investors |
| 10:30am PT 1:30pm ET |
BREAK |
| 10:35am PT 1:35pm ET |
Pitch Labs* - Block A |
| 11:20pm PT 2:20pm ET |
BREAK |
| 11:30pm PT 2:30pm ET |
Pitch Labs* - Block B |
| 12:15pm PT 3:15pm ET |
BREAK |
| 12:30pm PT 3:30pm ET |
Pitch Labs* - Block C |
| 1:15pm PT 4:15pm ET |
Reflections, Celebrations, Program Close |
| 1:30pm PT 4:30pm ET |
Optional Networking |
*There are limited spots for the pitch labs.
Day 1: November 6, 2024
| SESSION |
|---|
| 9:30am PT | 12:30pm ET Program Opening |
| 9:50am PT | 12:50pm ET Community Networking |
| 10:10am PT | 1:10pm ET Access to Capital: Grant Getter's Toolkit |
| 10:55am PT | 1:55pm ET Access to Capital: Equity |
| Breakout Room A: Understanding the Early-Stage Investor (Foundations) |
| Breakour Room B: Level Up for Your Next Funding Round (Advanced) |
| 11:40pm PT | 2:40pm ET BREAK |
| 11:45pm PT | 2:45pm ET Access to Capital: Debt |
| 12:30pm PT | 3:30pm ET Reflection |
| 12:40pm PT | 3:40pm ET Before Your Next Raise - Choose Your Own Adventure |
| Legal: Get Investor Ready Breakout Room A: Foundations Breakout Room B: Advanced |
| Financials Breakout Room A: Know Your Numbers (Foundations) Breakout Room B: Metrics that Matter + Valuation (Advanced) |
| 1:30pm PT | 4:30pm ET BREAK |
| 1:40pm PT | 4:40pm ET Pitching Your Business Vision |
| 2:25pm PT | 5:25pm ET Day 1 Reflections + Closing |
Day 2: November 13, 2024
| SESSION |
|---|
| 9:30am PT | 12:30pm ET Welcome |
| 9:40am PT | 12:40pm ET Connect to Capital Panel: The Real BTS (Behind the Scenes) with Entrepreneurs & Investors |
| 10:30pm PT | 1:30pm ET BREAK |
| 10:35pm PT | 1:35pm ET Pitch Labs* - Block A |
| 11:20pm PT | 2:20pm ET BREAK |
| 11:30pm PT | 2:30pm ET Pitch Labs* - Block B |
| 12:15pm PT | 3:15pm ET BREAK |
| 12:30pm PT | 3:30pm ET Pitch Labs* - Block C |
| 1:15pm PT | 4:15pm ET Reflections, Celebrations, Program Close |
| 1:30pm PT | 4:30pm ET Optional Networking |
*There are limited spots for the pitch labs.
Hear from the Finalists
Meet the Finalists from last year and learn more about how the program has transformed their businesses since participating!
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program Info Session
Watch this conversation with Kirsten Koppang Telford, CEO of The Forum, and Connie Stacey, Founder & CEO of Grengine, about this year's program.
Frequently asked questions
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program is a once in a lifetime experience
With Pitch, you could receive prizing, resources, education and more
valued at up to $90,000 CAD to help your business thrive:
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.
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.