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OUR PROGRAMS

Explore how The Forum can help you take your business to the next level

 
 
 
 
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We’re invested in your vision of success

 Our programs are designed to help all Canadian women entrepreneurs build resilient businesses — regardless of their industry, team size, or experience level

 
 
 

The Forum E-Series

Presented by RBC

Make life-changing connections and level up your entrepreneurship skills with E-Series — a multi-day online program for women-identifying entrepreneurs that want an all-encompassing education in business and entrepreneurship. Connect with other women entrepreneurs and learn from industry leaders about topics like HR, Branding, Ecommerce, Employment Law, Raising Capital, and more!

COMMITMENT:
6 Days of virtual learning or watch the video replays at your own pace
INVESTMENT:
We offer a sliding scale for tuition to ensure cost is not a barrier

WHAT YOU GET:
  • 6 days of live virtual seminars lead by experienced professionals & entrepreneurs
  • Access to subject matter experts who will share best practices & pro tips
  • Breakout sessions and community connects with speakers & other entrepreneurs
  • A new community of people who want to open doors for one another
  • Honest converstaions with experienced entrepreneurs
  • Replayable recordings of all sessions
YOU'LL LEARN:
  • About the fundamental pillars for successful business ownership; like HR, Digital Marketing, Financial Literacy, Community, and Mentors & Advisory Boards.
  • How to make more strategic decisions with confidence
  • That you're not alone in this & there are people who want to champion you & help you grow
E-SERIES IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You want to take your business to the next level
  • You're tired of entreprenuership being a solo endeavour
  • You're looking for a community of women entrepreneurs to connect with & learn from
  • You want the latest insider info on what you should be focusing your efforts on in business
  • You're a Canadian self-identifying women entrepreneur in either the early or intermediate stages of building a business
 
 

The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch

Pitch your business vision and meet a community that will fiercely support, guide and champion you to help you reach your goals. That’s how The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program helps you navigate, activate and fast-track your access to the different types of capital that you need to thrive.

To address the barrier of access to capitals, The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program offers national exposure and access to specialized resources and networks so you can share your business pitch with confidence. At the same time, secure the community and financial, social and wisdom capitals you’ll need to make your business vision a reality.

Using The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch as a launchpad, our participants have managed to:

  • Raise an average of $1M each (per finalist)
  • Raise an average of $546K each (per semi-finalist)
  • Create 500+ jobs through business growth

You could be next.

COMMITMENT:
Varies depending on program stages
INVESTMENT:
Free
WHAT YOU GET:
  • The chance to receive one of three prize packages, each with an estimated value of $30,000 CAD, in financial, social, and wisdom capital to help your business thrive
  • 1:1 mentorship and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs & industry experts
  • Exposure across The Forum's Canada-wide community of women entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors & sponsors
THE FORUM PITCH IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You need funding & community to take your business to the next level
  • You want to make life-changing connections & be inspired
  • You're a Canadian self-identifying woman entrepreneur in any industry & at any size or stage of business
 
 

The Forum Founder’s Circle

Sponsored by TD

This program seeks to support high-growth women entrepreneurs across Canada who need specialized advice and connect them with a community of women entrepreneurs at a similar stage of growth.

COMMITMENT:
Six 90-minute live sessions will take place every four to six weeks.
INVESTMENT:
$995

The Forum is invested in your vision of success. Our goal is to ensure financial resources aren't a barrier to your participation. We're able to set up payment plans if that helps. Please get in touch with nolizwe@theforum.ca when you apply to Founder's Circle.

WHAT YOU GET:
  • 6 live sessions to connect with and learn from a close-knit community of other driven entrepreneurs across Canada
  • Access to specialized advisor feedback and insights
  • Discussions to find solutions to business challenges with other entrepreneurs and advisors who understand your needs
  • Opportunities to identify new avenues of growth
  • Receive an in-depth report of your learnings from each session and opportunities to work with the advisors
THE FOUNDER'S CIRCLE IS FOR YOU IF:

This program is designed for women who are leading a quickly growing business. You are eligible to apply if you are a legal resident of Canada and are:

  • A woman leading a high-growth business ($1M+ in annual revenue, in operation for over 12 months and expanding fast)
  • A woman manager or staff member who is a key decision-maker in an Indigenous band- or community-owned business
 
 

The Forum Mentor Program

Presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Applications open year-round.

Find out what your business can accomplish with personalized insights from someone who’s been ‘through it all’ before. The Mentor Program thoughtfully pairs women identifying entrepreneurs across Canada, in all stages of business, with experienced mentors who can offer practical guidance & support on the individual challenges & opportunities your business is facing.

COMMITMENT:
1 hour per month, for 12 months
INVESTMENT:
$300

The Forum is invested in your vision of success. If cost is the only thing stopping you from signing up, you can request financial assistance when you apply to E-Series on the application form.

WHAT YOU GET:
  • Pairings based on needs, goals, values & personality
  • 1 Hour of 1:1 Mentorship, every month for 12 months (remote or in-person)
  • Guides and digital tools to support you through your mentorship
  • Access to a community who wants to help you thrive
THE MENTOR PROGRAM IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You need personalized 1:1 advice from someone with first hand, real world insights & experience
  • You need to be empowered & supported to take the next steps in your business
  • You want somone you can feel accountable to
  • You need more connections & access to a community of people who will champion you & your business
  • You're a Canadian self-identifying women entrepreneur in any industry & at any size or stage of business
 
 

AI Skills Lab Canada

Strategic training in AI and expert support for self-identifying women, trans-femme, and non-binary founders. Our two specialized programs cater to the different needs of early-stage and growth-stage entrepreneurs.

COMMITMENT:
  • Early AI Adoption Lab: 3 hours weekly for 6 weeks
  • AI Strategy & Operations Lab: 1-hour live session, 1-hour working session, and 1.5 hours of self-guided content each week
INVESTMENT:
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this program is offered at no cost.

Apply to the Early AI Adoption Lab.
Apply to the AI Strategy & Operations Lab.

WHAT YOU GET:
  • 4-6 guided weekly live sessions by Camp Tech and Growclass, plus optional classes
  • Easy-to-use templates, formulas, videos and quizzes
  • A 30/60/90-day AI Adoption playbook with community support
  • 3+ months of continued support through peer groups, experts-led learning, events, 1:1 coaching, and more!
AI SKILLS LAB IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You're a self-identified woman, non-binary or trans-femme entrepreneur
  • Your business has been in operation for at least a year and is generating revenue
  • You want to be able to understand how to use AI to grow your business and streamline operations
  • You want a welcoming and supportive learning environment
 
 

The Forum Capital Roadmap

LIVE VIRTUAL SESSIONS

Join us for two days of free live virtual sessions to help you learn more about how to build a strong fundraising roadmap and attract the right financial investors for your business. 

Investor requirements vary depending on which stage of funding your business is at. That’s why there will be breakout sessions for those who are preparing for their first round of funding, as well as for entrepreneurs who have already raised capital and are seeking strategies and guidance for more advanced funding rounds (e.g. Series A). 

Once you’ve completed your registration, you will be invited to attend virtual sessions in October with our community. During these sessions, you’ll learn and connect with investors, experts, and peers who can help you access the capital you need to expand your business. 

COMMITMENT:
Two full days of live virtual sessions
INVESTMENT:
Free to participate
WHAT YOU GET:
  • Insights, Advice, and Training from leading industry experts
  • Learn the right strategies to help you navigate your fundraising journey
  • Learn about funding methods that can accelerate your business
  • Connect with other entrepreneurs who are on a similar fundraising journey as you
WHAT YOU’LL LEAVE THE PROGRAM WITH:
  • A toolkit to build your personalized (equity and investment) fundraising roadmap, including funding needs, timelines, and appropriate capital sources
  • Strategies for storytelling, negotiation, and your wellbeing as you navigate the fundraising process
  • Access to peer and advisor connections for accountability and support
THE FORUM CAPITAL ROADMAP IS FOR YOU IF:

This program is open to self-identifying women, non-binary, or trans-femme founders (or majority/equal stakeholders) leading businesses registered and operating in Canada, who are actively pursuing external funding to grow their company. Specifically, this program is designed for you if:

  • Your business is registered and operating in Canada (excludes Registered Charities or not-for-profit organizations)
  • You are a founder, co-founder, or key decision maker in the business (including Indigenous band- or community-owned businesses)
  • You have a growing team (Full/part-time employees, contractors, volunteers, etc.)
  • You are planning to raise external capital, whether it’s your first round or a later round, as early as Q1 2026
  • You have at least 6 months of business development, with early traction from sales, pilots, partnerships, or validated demand
  • You are ready to refine your fundraising strategy, attract capital, and engage with a wider network
 
 

The Forum Business Finance Essentials

Presented by TD Bank Group

Build your financial management confidence and skills in this unique learning experience that combines live virtual sessions with access to 1:1 mentorship. This program is designed with understanding of systemic barriers that can impact you and your business.

COMMITMENT:
Eight 90-minute live sessions will take place over eight weeks.
INVESTMENT:
$0
Thanks to the generosity of TD, our Presenting Sponsor, this program is offered at no cost
WHAT YOU GET:
  • 8 guided weekly virtual live sessions by The Finance Cafe
  • Easy-to-use templates, formulas, videos and quizzes
  • Free access to 12 months of one-to-one mentorship
BUSINESS FINANCE ESSENTIALS IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You're a self-identified woman, non-binary or trans-femme entrepreneur
  • Your business has been in operation for at least a year and is generating revenue
  • You want to be able to understand your company’s financial performance and set financial goals in new ways
  • You want a welcoming and supportive learning environment
  • You would like to learn how to assess the financing and funding options for your business
 
 

AFIA DEI Index

 

AFIA DEI Index is a nation-wide initiative to address the systemic barriers experienced by women entrepreneurs in accessing capital.

AFIA DEI Index encourages Canadian funders to take action on access to business funding that inspires accelerated growth for women entrepreneurs, especially BIPOC women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

This initiative is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

AFIA IS FOR YOU IF:

If you are a Canadian funder, we encourage you to contact our team to sign up.

 
 

Financial Fundamentals

This program is available year-round.

Never feel out of your depth again talking about your business finances. Financial Fundamentals is a free online, self-paced business finances course for women entrepreneurs who want to increase their financial literacy and get better at seeing opportunities, making decisions, and building resilient businesses.

Financial Fundamentals is GENEROUSLY supported by HSBC Bank Canada and our Supporting Partner, Women’s Enterprise Centre. Our enormous thanks to them both for making this program possible.

COMMITMENT:
Self-Paced Online Course
INVESTMENT:
Free
WHAT YOU GET:
  • Clear lessons that make it simple to learn about financial terms, concepts & metrics -- even if numbers aren't your strong suit
  • Tangible exercises, tools & resources for financial literacy
  • Access to a private online community of other women entrepreneurs who are taking the course you can learn with
  • Video-based lessons
  • Instant lifetime online access
YOU'LL LEARN:
  • How to use numbers to make more strategic decisions for your business & achieve your business goals
  • How to see which risks & investments are worthwhile & which are not
  • How to talk about your business’ financials with confidence
FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS IS FOR YOU IF:
  • You want a fundamental understanding of how to manage your business' money on a day-to-day basis
  • You want to be able to talk about your finances in professional terms & create reports that validate & communicate strategies clearly.
  • You're new to entrepreneurship or have been in the thick of it a while & need a focused lesson plan
  • You're a Canadian self-identifying women entrepreneur in any industry & at any size or stage of business
 
 

Mental Health Resilience Program: Grow and Thrive

 

This program is available year-round.

The Mental Health Resilience Program is a free self-paced, online course – with 1 live session on June 28th to kick it all off – that focuses on helping women-identifying entrepreneurs learn how to plan for adversity, pivot during challenging times, and develop a resilient, confident mindset when it comes to business ownership.

COMMITMENT:
Self-Paced Online Content
INVESTMENT:
Free
WHAT YOU GET:
  • 3 video & 5 podcast based lessons, all self-paced
  • Detailed digital workbooks you can refer back to for years to come
  • Chapters on mindset, financial strategies, leadership, sales & communicating your value
  • Live kock-off session which will be available for replay in the program learning platform
  • Bonus free Financial Fundamentals course
 

 Our virtual programs are made possible by our hosting platform partner:

 
 

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