The Forum Capital Roadmap
Your Roadmap to Financial Capital. Refine Your Approach. Attract Investments.
Registration opens Sept 4th, 2025
What Is The Forum Capital Roadmap?
Funding starts with knowledge.
Research has found that, on average, women launch businesses with 53% less capital than men—and even when they make the exact same pitch, men are still more likely to get funding¹.
Led by seasoned experts, this program will teach you how to strengthen your approach to fundraising and attract the right investment opportunities.
KEY DATES:
Registration Period: September 4, 2025 - September 25, 2025
Day 1: Oct 2, 2025
Day 2: Oct 7, 2025
Learning Outcomes
Foundations Pathway:
For Founders Preparing for Their First Raise
This stream supports founders who are preparing to raise their first round of external capital within the next 3-6 months. If you have early traction from sales, pilots, or partnerships and your next big milestone is securing your first round of external funding, the Foundations Pathway gives you the skills, strategy, and confidence to raise smart capital. By attending this stream, you will:
- Develop a clearer understanding of equity financing fundamentals, including key transaction types and their impact on ownership and dilution
- Clarify your business model and funding needs over the next 18-24 months with practical financial metrics and investor alignment strategies
- Gain insight into the full capital-raising process: from deal preparation and due diligence to negotiation and post-investment expectations
- Build skills to identify, target, and engage investors effectively, including practicing warm introductions and investor communications
You’ll emerge from Capital Roadmap ready to launch your first fundraising round with purpose.
Advanced Pathway:
For Founders Raising Their Next Round
This stream is designed for founders who have already raised early-stage capital and are preparing for their next funding round. If you’re leading a growth-oriented business with demonstrated traction (revenue, users, partnerships, market demand), and are ready to start your next raise as early as Q1 2026, the Advanced Pathway will help you step into the process with strategy, leverage, and confidence. By attending this stream, you will:
- Learn how to decide whether to raise a bridge or seed-extension round versus going straight to Series A, and set the right milestones to get ready
- Understand investor rights, expectations, and critical terms at this stage, including equity dilution, ESOP implications, liquidation preferences, and identifying founder-unfriendly clauses
- Build confidence in negotiating term sheets and understanding priced rounds, so you know exactly what you're agreeing to
- Practice finding the right investors, reaching out, and warming up those connections
You’ll emerge from Capital Roadmap with a refined capital plan, pitch, and investor pipeline and ready to confidently step into your next raise.
For both Pathways, you’ll also get the opportunity to meet with peers and tap into a community of fiercely supportive women entrepreneurs along the way.
The Forum Capital Roadmap has been funded in part through the Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Registration opens Sept 4th, 2025.
Hear about how The Forum has helped Alumnae prepare for pitching
“
“I feel more prepared for completing my pitch deck. The pitch labs were excellent and feedback was extremely constructive. It helped understand what a potential investor may be thinking.”
“I now feel more confident in presenting my business vision effectively. I understand the importance of tailoring my pitch to resonate with different audiences, from investors to potential partners, and how to communicate the unique value of my brand clearly. This program has equipped me with actionable insights and tools to elevate my storytelling and connect with stakeholders more authentically.”
“I now feel that I am a part of a really supportive community, and there are women out there that I can reach out to for support as I grow my business.”
”
The Forum Capital Roadmap is a stepping stone to growing your business
As a participant, you will...
Connect with lenders, investors, experts and peers
Learn about different types of dilutive funding to grow your business
Learn how to put together an effective pitch to appeal to investors
The Forum Capital Roadmap is a stepping stone to growing your business
As a participant, you will...
Connect with lenders, investors, experts and peers
Learn about different types of dilutive funding to grow your business
Learn how to put together an effective pitch to appeal to investors
Frequently asked questions
Is this program really free?
Yes, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this program is free for all self-identifying women, non-binary or trans-femme entrepreneurs.
When can I sign up?
Registrations are open on the 4th of September and close on the 25th of September.
Will this help me with The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch?
This program is separate from The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch, but you will learn a lot of transferable tips and skills that may help you if you decide to participate in The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch.
Who is eligible?
The Forum Capital Roadmap is for all Canadian self-identifying women, non-binary, and trans-femme entrepreneurs who are looking for ways to improve their fundraising strategies in pursuit of external funding and growth. More specifically, you are eligible for this program if:
- You are a legal resident in Canada
- You have at least 6 months of business development
- 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, contractor, volunteers, etc.)
- You are planning to raise external capital, whether it’s your first round or a later round
- Planning to start your next raise as early as Q1 2026
- Your business shows early or proven traction through sales, users, partnerships, or market demand
- You are ready to refine your fundraising strategy, attract capital, and engage with a wider network
Will there be in-person sessions?
No, all sessions will be held virtually over Zoom, making the programs accessible to a wider range of self-identifying women, non-binary and trans-femme entrepreneurs across Canada.
What is the difference between the Foundations Pathway and the Advanced Pathway? How do I register for each?
Both the Foundations Pathway and Advanced Pathway will take place through the same Zoom link. During content blocks, the sessions will be divided into two breakout rooms, one for each Pathway. You’ll have the flexibility to join either breakout room, depending on your fundraising experience and where you are in your fundraising journey. Registration is the same for both pathways, and all sessions will be recorded so you will also have the opportunity to revisit and learn from both pathways once the program is complete.
How do I enroll?
Registrations will open on the 4th of September.
Is this for me, or should I participate in The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch?
If you don’t feel quite ready to participate in The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch, this program can help you build confidence and fundraising knowledge so you’ll feel ready to register next year. That said, you are more than welcome to apply to both programs!
What are the dates for the sessions?
Registration Period: September 4, 2025 - September 25, 2025
Day 1: Oct 2, 2025
Day 2: Oct 7, 2025