Forum Pitch Awards $1.5M, Celebrates Decade of Boosting Women in Biz

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – April 29, 2026 – A sold-out gala, a record-breaking fundraising total, and a powerful showcase of innovation marked the 10th anniversary of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale. The event, hosted by The Forum, a Canadian charity dedicated to advancing women entrepreneurs, culminated in three women-led businesses receiving grand prize packages valued at $38,000 each, while raising an unprecedented $1.52 million to fuel the growth of women-owned enterprises across the country.

The milestone evening at the JW Marriott Parq in Vancouver on April 24 celebrated not only the future of Canadian business but also a decade of sustained effort in closing the entrepreneurial gender gap.

A Decade of Impact and Record Support

Ten years ago, The Forum launched its pitch program to address the critical need for capital and support for women founders. This year's finale served as a powerful testament to its success and growth. The $1.52 million raised during the event sets a new benchmark for the organization, providing vital resources to expand its mentorship, education, and funding access programs.

“This year’s finalists reflect the momentum and strength of women entrepreneurs in Canada,” said Kirsten Koppang Telford, CEO of The Forum. “When women entrepreneurs scale, they do more than build successful businesses. They create jobs, drive innovation, and help solve critical challenges facing Canada today.”

The full-circle nature of the program's impact was embodied by the presence of special guest Tara Bosch, founder of SmartSweets. Bosch, who won the inaugural pitch competition a decade ago, later sold her company in a landmark deal valued at $360 million USD. Her journey from a nascent startup to a major market player exemplifies the potential The Forum seeks to unlock.

“My connection to The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch over the past decade makes being part of this year’s finale especially meaningful,” said Bosch. “The finalists are a testament to the exceptional talent of women entrepreneurs in Canada, and to the impact they can make on our communities when they are backed with the right support and opportunity.”

Spotlight on Innovation: Meet the 2026 Winners

The three grand prize recipients represent a diverse cross-section of the Canadian economy, from essential home services to cutting-edge medical technology. Each founder presented a compelling vision for growth, capturing the attention of judges and a live audience.

The 2026 grand prize recipients are:

• Kimberley Hiebert, CEO & Co-Founder of Door Gurus: Based in Edmonton, Door Gurus is carving a niche in the national home and commercial services market. The company offers a specialized, mobile-first franchise model for door repair, installation, and maintenance. Hiebert's venture targets a foundational service industry, where differentiation through reliability and specialization can capture significant market share.

• Randa Mudathir, CEO & Co-Founder of NovaSonix Healthcare Inc.: This London, Ontario-based medical technology company is poised to disrupt diagnostic imaging. Its flagship product, MSKNovaVue™, is an attachment that converts any standard ultrasound probe into a real-time 3D scanner. This innovation promises faster, more accessible musculoskeletal diagnostics at the point of care. In a global AI-enabled medical device market projected to grow at over 30% annually, NovaSonix is positioned in a high-growth sector. The company also won an additional $20,000 prize package, selected by a live audience vote.

• Yoobin Lee, CEO & Co-Founder of Quip Medical: From Kitchener, Ontario, Quip Medical is tackling a major pain point in healthcare: administrative burden. Its AI-powered platform automates and optimizes physician billing directly within electronic medical records. With physician burnout on the rise, solutions that save time and improve efficiency are in high demand. Quip Medical enters a market where AI is increasingly used to streamline administrative workflows, a software segment that accounts for over half of the AI medical device market.

“NovaSonix Healthcare Inc. is honoured to be recognized as a finalist and be a part of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch program,” said Randa Mudathir. “This opportunity will help us scale our impact and advance more accessible diagnostic imaging to support better patient outcomes.”

Beyond the Cheque: The Power of Holistic Support

While the financial awards provide a critical injection of capital, the program's structure emphasizes that funding is only one piece of the puzzle. The $38,000 prize is described as a 'package,' reflecting a holistic approach that includes education, coaching, and, most importantly, mentorship and community.

Each finalist was paired with a high-profile mentor who provided guidance throughout the intensive program. Yoobin Lee of Quip Medical thanked mentor Katrina Carroll-Foster for her “invaluable expertise and direction,” while Kimberley Hiebert of Door Gurus praised Ali Pejman, Managing Partner at Reception Sponsor Fort Capital, for his “guidance and insight.” Randa Mudathir credited mentor Sarah Willson, Principal at Panache Ventures, for her mentorship and expertise.

This focus on building networks was echoed by Michele Romanow, the renowned entrepreneur and Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, who was also a special guest. “The level of ambition of these entrepreneurs is undeniable and underscores the work The Forum is doing to accelerate their growth by connecting them to the networks and capital that move businesses forward,” Romanow stated.

Tackling the Systemic Funding Gap

The Forum's work is set against a challenging backdrop for women in business. In Canada, women-led companies receive a starkly disproportionate slice of venture capital—estimated at a mere 2-3%. This makes programs like The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch not just beneficial but essential.

The $1.52 million raised at the finale is a direct and tangible countermeasure to this systemic gap. It represents a community of supporters, led by Title Sponsor Odlum Brown Limited and Capital Sponsor Wheaton Precious Metals, investing directly in a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This investment is critical, as women-owned businesses are a powerful economic engine. They contribute an estimated $150 billion to the Canadian economy and employ over 1.5 million people. By providing the capital, mentorship, and community that have historically been out of reach for many, The Forum is not only empowering individual founders but also strengthening the foundation of the national economy.

As the organization celebrates this 10-year milestone, its impact resonates far beyond a single evening, fostering a new generation of leaders and innovators who are reshaping Canada's business landscape.