Brianna Blaney and Aria Hahn, co-founders of Pocketed, were this year’s winners of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale and prize of $25,000 to support their business vision and growth.
The rapidly growing Vancouver startup has created an intelligent matching platform and marketplace to connect businesses to billions of dollars in grants and tax credits.
Late last year Pocketed raised a $1 million seed round led by Mike Volker’s WUTIF Capital, with participation from more than a dozen investors including Hustle Fund, Women’s Equity Lab and New Avenue Capital.
“It’s an honour to be selected as this year’s winner of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale,” says Brianna Blaney, CEO and Co-founder, Pocketed.
“The $25,000 in funds will significantly contribute to growing our platform to help more businesses access grants and tax credits. Because whether you’re building a start-up, a small business, or a side hustle, there is money out there to help you grow.”
Hosted by The Forum at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on April 28th and streamed to audiences across the nation, this year’s Pitch Finale saw over 2,000 attendees and viewers watch some of Canada’s most promising women entrepreneurs from diverse and emerging industries pitch their business visions for the opportunity to walk away with the cash prize.
The event also raised over $675,000 to support The Forum’s ongoing programs that mentor, educate and empower self-identified women entrepreneurs.
“We congratulate this year’s finalists – all of whom are game changers in their respective industries,” says Paulina Cameron, CEO of The Forum. “As more women in Canada turn towards building businesses, The Forum is continuing to grow and expand programming that supports and connects women entrepreneurs, like this year’s finalists.”
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