The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final: Nine Businesses, Three Finalists, and a Decade Worth Celebrating

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.

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The Forum
Pivoting with Purpose: How The Forum Helped Tammy Kyte Find Her Community and Scale GiveWise

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.

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The Forum
From Burning Out to Breaking Through: How The Forum Helped Laideen Thomas Find Her Community and Scale Her Financial Firm

After 22 years in the financial space working primarily with high-net-worth clients, Laideen Thomas recognized that women—particularly women of colour—weren't getting the financial advice they needed. That realization led her to pivot from corporate work and launch Laideen & Co., a boutique financial firm providing holistic financial planning with sincerity, honesty, and compassion. 

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Capital Comes with Community: How The Forum Helped Sara Jónsdóttir Build the Network That Funded Revol Cares' $2M Round

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.

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The ForumArticles
A Record-Breaking Moment: The Forum Raised $1.3 Million for Women Entrepreneurs at The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale 2025

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.

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The ForumArticles