From Idea to Global Impact: How the Forum Helped Connie Stacey Scale Grengine and Combat Energy Poverty
Entrepreneurship is rarely a straightforward path, and for Connie Stacey, Founder & CEO of Grengine (formerly known as Growing Greener Innovations), 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 Connie understood more about global energy poverty, the stark reality that billions of people worldwide lack reliable access to electricity, she was driven to make a difference. “I started learning about energy poverty globally,” she explains. “I realized the technology I had in mind could have a profound and positive impact, creating better opportunities and greater equity for people worldwide. That was what finally made me say, ‘I’m going to take a shot.’”
An Uphill Battle
While her mission was clear, the transition from IT to battery technology was not easy. Connie had no formal background in electrical engineering or chemistry—essential in battery innovation. “There’s this misconception that batteries are all about chemistry,” she explains. “That’s only half the equation. The other half is how electricity flows, which is physics. I had to bridge two entirely different scientific disciplines to create something new.”
Beyond technical challenges, Connie faced systemic barriers in tech and manufacturing, industries where women entrepreneurs remain underrepresented. “I remember someone walking into my office and saying, ‘I thought I’d stop by to explain to you girls how electricity works.’” she recalls. “People would ask me, ‘Who really invented your technology?’ or if there was a man around, so they could talk to them about the technical details.” Connie isn’t alone in these frustrating experiences, which can understandably make someone feel as though others view their expertise and accomplishments as inadequate—even when they’ve proven their capabilities repeatedly.
Securing funding also proved challenging. In Canada, just 4% of venture capital funding supports women founders, and deep-tech manufacturing is one of the most difficult spaces to fund. Without visibility and credibility, attracting investors was an uphill battle.
Discovering The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch
In the fall of the year she applied, a colleague forwarded an email about The Forum’s pitching program. Designed to support and elevate women entrepreneurs, the program immediately caught her attention.
“At the time, things were going well. We had a multi-million-dollar project with a signed letter of intent. It felt like we were on a roll,” she says. “But then COVID hit, and everything changed overnight.”
The pandemic disrupted supply chains, and Connie’s promising deal collapsed when the facility intended for the project was repurposed for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Suddenly, she was scrambling to keep Grengine afloat.
“I didn’t know how we were going to get through,” she says. “The funding disappeared, and it was a really tough time. I had to get creative with financing.”
How The Forum Helped Fuel Growth
Despite the uncertainty, Connie moved forward with The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch. Initially, she was drawn to the cash prize—a rare offering in pitch competitions—but she quickly realized the true value was much greater.
“The mentorship part of the program blew me away,” she says. “Most pitch competitions are focused on perfecting a 60-second pitch, but they don’t teach you how to actually scale a business. The Forum was different.”
Connie was paired with Christian, an experienced mentor who had built and scaled a business himself. “A lot of advisors have MBAs or studied business from a textbook, but Christian had done it,” she explains. “He understood the challenges from lived experience, and having access to that kind of guidance was invaluable.”
As a Finalist, Connie refined her pitch, gained visibility, and walked away with financing that would help maintain her growth.
The Forum’s Impact: Educate, Activate, Elevate
The impact of winning The Forum’s Pitch Program was immediate and transformative for Connie and Grengine. She benefited from support that falls under three core social impact pillars:
Educate: The mentorship she received provided real-world guidance on scaling a hardware business in a complex industry.
Activate: The program’s cash prize held her afloat, and exposure and access to The Forum’s highly connected community led to increased credibility, helping her attract investors and secure financing.
Elevate: The visibility she gained helped propel Grengine into new opportunities, from securing contracts with the Canadian Department of Defense to deploying clean energy solutions in the Arctic Circle.
“The cash prize was a lifeline, but the exposure was just as important,” she says. “Suddenly, people were reaching out from across Canada, asking about our technology. That visibility helped us secure $3.5 million in debt financing and bring on angel investors, which allowed us to build out our new facility.”
Scaling for Global Impact
In the years since Connie won The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch, Grengine has only continued to flourish:
Expanded from a 3,000 sq. ft. facility to a 26,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant.
Developed the most advanced cybersecurity for battery packs in the world.
Partnered with the Canadian military to replace diesel generators with clean energy.
Deployed energy storage solutions to the Arctic Circle.
Crossed the coveted million-dollar revenue mark
“When I started, I wanted to be a game-changer in the energy space,” Connie reflects. “And now, we’re actually doing it. When we deployed a system to the Arctic Circle and saw it working, we realized—if we can do this here, we can do it anywhere.”
Building a More Equitable Future
Connie’s mission extends beyond technological innovation. At its core, Grengine is about creating equality through energy access. “People don’t realize how critical energy access is,” she says. “It’s the foundation of education, economic development, and healthcare. Without power, you’re stuck in a cycle of poverty. Our technology is about breaking that cycle.”
She credits The Forum for playing a critical role in helping her build a company with global impact.
“The Forum isn’t just about giving women entrepreneurs a boost—it’s about changing the landscape,” she says. “This wasn’t just a win for me; it was a win for women in deep tech, a win for clean energy, and a win for the people who need access to power the most.”
Advice to Women Entrepreneurs
To women entrepreneurs considering applying to The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch, Connie says: Just do it. “You’re never going to be ready—but that’s not the point. The Forum gives you a platform, mentorship, and a network that can change the trajectory of your business. Even if you don’t win, you walk away with tools and connections that will push you forward.”
For Connie, her involvement with The Forum also provided a major personal boost: confidence. “Real confidence isn’t walking into a pitch knowing you’ll win,” she says. “It’s knowing you’ll be okay if you don’t.”
With The Forum’s support, Connie and Grengine have proven that bold ideas—when backed by the right resources—can change the world.