Deadline: October 23, 2025
Are you a woman, non-binary or trans-femme founder in Canada with a bold business idea? The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program 2025-2026 is an incredible opportunity to pitch your venture, connect with investors, and secure up to CAD 90,000 in funding, resources and support.
This programme is designed to empower underrepresented founders by providing expert guidance, exposure to funders, and access to strategic business networks to help them scale successfully.
About the Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program 2025-2026
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program 2025-2026 supports women, non-binary, and trans-femme entrepreneurs in Canada by helping them:
- Refine and perfect their business pitch.
- Access mentorship, funding opportunities and business education.
- Build networks with potential investors, mentors, and strategic partners.
- Compete for prizes, resources, and support worth up to CAD 90,000.
This programme is ideal for founders who are ready to take their ventures to the next level and are seeking external capital to scale.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Founder Eligibility: Your venture must be majority-owned by self-identifying women, non-binary, or trans-femme founders.
- Business Type: Registered and actively operating in Canada (registered charities and not-for-profit organisations are not eligible).
- Operational Timeline: The venture must have at least six months of business development or market research completed.
- Team Structure: Must have a growing team with at least one employee or contractor beyond the founder.
- Capital Plan: Applicants must plan to raise external capital (angel investment, venture capital, loans, or grants) within the next 12 months.
- Product or Service Readiness: Applicants must offer a clear product or service and meet at least one of the following:
- Proof of concept or MVP.
- Customer validation (e.g. early adopters, testimonials, letters of intent).
- Strategic partnerships or pilot projects.
- Financial Preparation: A basic funding roadmap or plan must be available, including financial projections, pitch deck, or data room materials if available.
Application Requirements
Interested founders will need to submit a 60-second pitch video introducing themselves and their business. The video must include:
- A brief introduction of who you are and what your business does.
- The problem your business addresses and the market size.
- Your solution and competitive advantage.
- Evidence of business traction.
- Your funding ask (how much you are seeking and how the funds will be used).
👉 Important: The video must be uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted video, and the link submitted through the application form.
Deadline
The application deadline is 23 October 2025. Late applications will not be considered, so interested founders are encouraged to prepare their videos and documents early.
Why You Should Apply
The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program offers far more than funding. Selected participants will receive:
- Intensive pitch training and mentorship.
- Exposure to potential funders and strategic partners.
- Access to a powerful entrepreneurial network.
- A chance to win part of CAD 90,000 in prizes, resources, and support.
This is a prime opportunity for Canadian women and gender-diverse founders ready to scale their businesses.
Application Links
👉 Click here to Apply for the Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Program 2025-2026
👉 Click here to Read More about the Programme
Need Help with Your Application?
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