a tradition that fuels confidence, creativity, and connection
Three minutes.
Countless stories.
Endless inspiration.
At Yodo1, we believe great companies are built on great communication. That’s why every week, our team comes together for Pitch Club, our internal stage to practise, play, and inspire each other in a warm, supportive circle of colleagues.
Pitch Club is one of our most beloved traditions. Part open mic, part workshop, part team-building session — it’s where colleagues step up to share a 3-minute pitch about anything that excites them: a business idea, a passion project, or simply a story worth telling. It’s fun. It’s engaging. And for new joiners, it’s become a rite of passage into life at Yodo1.
We’ve all sat through sales trainings that felt more like nightmares than learning. Pitch Club was born from that frustration — a safe space to talk about what we care about and to practise our pitching skills at the same time.
Pitch Club is the only way to get better at communicating. Communication is about how we make people feel — and Pitch Club gives you the space to make sure your words land, get feedback and support, self-reflect, and grow. I’ve been to over 250 Pitch Clubs — I’m a serious fan.”
Martin Barnes
Pitch Club Host
Pitch Club is fun, engaging and full of surprises. You never know what you’re going to learn about next. It’s a safe environment to express yourself, leave people feeling inspired, and share your passions.”
Gemma Hogan
Head of Marketing
Pitch Club is part of Yodo1’s DNA. It’s our dedicated training ground to practise our skills, find inspiration, and continuously improve together.”
Stacy Yang
Position
Pitch Club is our training ground where we perfect our delivery and turn ideas into game-winning goals.
Reach Cha
Financial Analyst
Pitch Club is more than practice — it’s part of who we are. It nurtures both
Yodo1 as a company and Yodies as individuals, blending professional
growth with personal confidence.
Pitch Club helps us grow together as a truly global team, hearing voices and stories from across cultures. It strengthens our remote-first culture, keeps us connected across time zones, and celebrates the creativity and individuality that make Yodo1 thrive.
It builds confidence in communicating ideas clearly and persuasively, encourages self-reflection, and helps speakers learn to tailor their message to different audiences. Many discover they’re far more fluent and confident in English than they ever imagined.
You get 3 minutes to share your idea, story, or passion.
Your colleagues give instant written feedback.
Think about what went well, what could be improved, and how you felt delivering it.
Encouraging, constructive insights from peers.
Each session sparks curiosity and fresh ideas.
Receive your recording & written feedback so you can keep improving, and look forward to your next pitch.
Pitch Club was born in Beijing in June 2019. Founded by Yodo1’s co-CEO James LaLonde, it began as a simple experiment: could we create a safe, fun space where people could practise pitching ideas without fear? The first sessions were small and intimate — just a few brave teammates, some pizza, soft drinks, and the promise of honest feedback. Everyone left with something valuable: more confidence, new friends, and sometimes even a T-shirt.
Word spread quickly. What started as a handful of participants became a weekly highlight, with hundreds of pitches covering everything from startup concepts to personal stories.
When the pandemic hit, in-person sessions stopped — but Pitch Club didn’t. It went online, opening the stage to colleagues worldwide. Suddenly, people from APAC, Europe, Africa, and the Americas were pitching together in the same virtual room.
We marked our sixth anniversary by going back to where it all began:Beijing. With family, friends, and networks joining us, we re-created the original set-up — pizza and all — reminding us that Pitch Club is about courage, connection, and joy.
What started as an experiment became a cultural cornerstone. Pitch Club turned into a rite of passage for every new Yodie and a creative outlet for veterans. It also became a confidence booster for non-native English speakers, helping many realise their full communication potential.
Why it's special
Onboard new teammates with confidence.
Keep our culture strong as a global, remote-first company.
Celebrate the diversity of thought, experience,
and creativity that makes Yodo1 thrive.
Pitch Club is where Yodies find their voice, grow their skills, and inspire each other every single week.
