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On February 18, nine Semi-Finalists made the case for why their businesses belong on the national stage at The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final in Vancouver. The community showed up, investors leaned in, and Champions listened closely.

It was the second stop of a two-city tour, following the Toronto event the week prior, where the same cohort of Semi-Finalists first pitched their visions. Entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders filled the room, not just to watch pitches, but to be part of something bigger.

Leading up to The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final events coming to Toronto on February 11 and Vancouver on February 18, we asked each Semi-Finalist: “What do you hope the audience takes away from your pitch?” Here’s what they shared, in their own words.

When Tammy Kyte speaks about her entrepreneurial journey, it doesn’t start with her as Co-Founder and Executive Director of GiveWise, a philanthropic startup focused on transforming lives through accessible generosity. Tammy’s journey actually begins with another business she ran alongside her husband, Dan. However, the common thread at the centre of both companies is the desire to create lasting change and make an impact.

This Women's Entrepreneurship Day, we're spotlighting the incredible achievements of women entrepreneurs across The Forum community and the impact that comes from investing in their success.

 After years of working heavy hours across multiple time zones, she made the leap into self-employment with Cove to Sky, a holistic coaching practice that considers all aspects of wellbeing—physical, mental, and emotional—to help clients thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

Keep reading for the six key signs that let you know your business is ready to scale, with insights from members of The Forum community who have successfully scaled their businesses.

This Small Business Month, we’re highlighting over 40 incredible women-led businesses that you can support. From brands that want to elevate your daily wellness rituals to purpose-led companies that seek to better your personal journey, culinary, or clothing experience, these businesses are proof that amazing things happen when you follow your curiosity and ambition.

This guide offers clear strategies for storytelling that will help you successfully nail your business pitch, dives into the unique challenges women face in pitching rooms, and shares how The Forum’s programming is levelling the playing field.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the must-knows for pricing your products or services, from understanding your direct costs to examining which pricing strategy will work best for your business. Keep reading for practical tips and realistic advice from Canadian business leaders in our network to help you establish or readjust your prices.

For Sara Jónsdóttir, entrepreneurship began with a moment of vulnerability that many people with periods can relate to. That frustrating experience became the catalyst for what would become Revol Cares, a Vancouver-based period underwear company specifically designed for those with heavy flows, which recently secured $2 million in funding from Canadian angel investors.

Building and growing a business is a process that’s full of excitement, life-changing connections, and new opportunities—but that process can also be overwhelming and filled with uncertainty. But what if it didn’t have to be that way?

When Alyson Gourley-Cramer founded Monogram Communications as a sole proprietor in fall 2019, she made herself a promise. By January 2020, she would either commit fully to building something remarkable or walk away.

Jenn Harper didn’t always have the goal of becoming the first Indigenous woman to have a business worth $1 billion, but today, she’s well on her way to making her dream a reality. 

Meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work isn't just about doing the right thing—it's about unlocking the full potential of your teams and serving your communities more effectively. 

For Chloe Beaudoin and Jessica Miao, entrepreneurship didn’t begin in a boardroom–it began in the lingerie aisle. What started as a shared frustration with teen bra shopping sparked a bold mission to reinvent an overlooked category and ultimately led to the creation of Apricotton.

Bronwyn Bridges' journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to enhance the lives of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

We're sharing the journeys of three inspiring women entrepreneurs who are navigating the complexities of scaling their businesses. Each brings a unique perspective from different industries and stages of growth, offering valuable insights for fellow entrepreneurs contemplating their next phase of expansion.

At the intersection where motherhood meets entrepreneurship, there’s a powerful group of business leaders who’ve found their unique skill sets have made them stronger, more resilient, and increasingly influential.

Heading into The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale, our largest annual fundraiser and celebration, we set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1.2 million. We're thrilled to announce that with the tremendous support of our community, we surpassed this milestone, raising a record-breaking $1.3 million! This funding will play a critical role in expanding The Forum's reach and deploying programming that helps entrepreneurs overcome systemic barriers.

When Brianna Blaney and Aria Hahn found themselves on Brianna's couch in September 2020—drinking wine, eating pizza, and having the difficult conversation about shutting down their first software venture—they had no idea that this moment would spark an idea that would go on to help thousands of entrepreneurs secure over $200 million in funding.

Ahead of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale on April 25, we caught up with the 2024/25 Finalists to learn what motivated them to tackle the challenges they're addressing, how The Forum has impacted their businesses, what wisdom they've gained from mentors, what they hope audiences take away from their pitches.

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straightforward path, and for Connie Stacey, Founder & CEO of Grengine, the journey began with an idea she carried for nearly two years. In 2013, she recognized the potential of battery technology, but stepping into battery manufacturing—a highly technical, capital-intensive, and male-dominated industry—was daunting.

When 22-year-old Tara Bosch stood in her kitchen experimenting with sugar-free gummy bears, she had a vision that would transform the candy industry. Just a few years later, Tara had created a revolutionary brand that would ultimately reach $125 million in annual sales and exit for $360 million.