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.
Ten Years of Turning Bold Ideas into Thriving Businesses
This year, The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch is turning 10, a testament to a decade of entrepreneurs who bet on themselves, a community that showed up to back them, and a program that has helped reshape what's possible for women entrepreneurs in Canada.
Over the past decade, The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch has been a launchpad for women-led innovation across Canada. Pitch alumnae have collectively raised over $69 million, created 1,000+ jobs, and built nationally recognized businesses, including Tara Bosch's SmartSweets, which achieved a landmark $360 million USD exit.
As our CEO, Kirsten Koppang Telford, shared from the stage: “When women entrepreneurs have access to capital, mentorship, and community, they build successful businesses and drive lasting growth for all Canadians. But here's what those numbers really represent: families supported, communities strengthened, and innovations that are solving real problems for real people."
Kirsten also spoke to what comes next, sharing that The Forum is moving forward with its most ambitious three-year plan yet, built on three pillars: Educate, Activate, and Elevate. This plan scales what works, deepens support at pivotal moments in the entrepreneurial journey, and expands national impact.
From the Showcase to the Stage
The night started with a reception and Entrepreneur Showcase, where guests connected with founders from across The Forum community, exploring products, discovering services, and building relationships that fuel tangible growth.
The businesses featured in the Vancouver and Toronto Entrepreneur Showcases included:
Vancouver
Toronto
To open the evening, VP of Development Lisa Niemetscheck shared the story of Sara Jónsdóttir, Founder of Revol Cares, who pitched at The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Semi-Final events, continued to the Finale, and went on to raise $2 million—with 100% of those investors coming from The Forum network, including people who watched her pitch on stage.
That story set the tone for the night, and Lisa reminded us of the imminent need for the support programs like this provide: women entrepreneurs are half as likely as men to reach $500,000 in revenue, yet their full participation in the economy represents a $150 billion opportunity for Canada's GDP. As Lisa put it: "This is a crisis of potential.”
Then came the moment the room had been waiting for: the Semi-Finalists took the stage to share their business visions in three-minute pitches, then fielded questions from the Champions in the room.
Each pitch represented a business solving a real problem, led by a founder who had spent months refining their vision with the support of dedicated mentors.
After all nine pitches, the Community Panel took on the task of selecting the three Finalists who would advance to The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale.
And the Finalists Are...
After deliberations, three extraordinary founders were selected:
⭐ Kimberley Hiebert, CEO & Co-Founder, Door Gurus
⭐ Randa Mudathir, CEO & Co-Founder, NovaSonix Healthcare Inc.
⭐ Yoobin Lee, CEO & Co-Founder, Quip Medical
Congratulations, Kimberley, Randa, and Yoobin!
Each Finalist will be matched with a dedicated mentor as they prepare for The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale, and will have access to prizes, resources, and education valued at up to $90,000 CAD, the kinds of tangible and intangible capital that are critical to sustaining long-term growth.
To every founder who took the stage this year: thank you, and the journey doesn't end here. Being part of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch means becoming part of a community that continues to show up, long after the stage lights go down. The connections made at these events matter. Every introduction, every conversation, and every door that opens as a result of being in that room is part of what The Forum network is built to make possible.
If you're interested in supporting any of the Semi-Finalists as a partner, procurer, collaborator, or investor, reach out to hello@theforum.ca and The Forum team will help facilitate a connection.
Thank You to the Sponsors, Donors, and Champions Who Make This Possible
What's Next: The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale
On April 24, 2026, The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale will bring together 800+ business leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs for an evening that has, year after year, changed the trajectories of the businesses on that stage.
This year, we'll also be joined by a special Champion, Michele Romanow, and the event is officially sold out, the earliest sell-out in the program's history!
Past Finalists have collectively raised over $27 million and created 500+ jobs. These aren't just numbers. They're businesses that exist because of critical support, jobs that matter, and communities that are stronger because of what happens in rooms like this.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!