2-Year Collaboration in support of Indigenous entrepreneurs
Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced the expansion of its collaboration with RBC over the next two years.
Set to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2022 with mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support, RBC’s investment is helping Pow Wow Pitch to scale its virtual programs, re-enter communities with on-the-ground support across Canada, and scale its programming to support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the United States and New Zealand.
“RBC has supported Pow Wow Pitch since our beginnings and every step of the way as we have pivoted with the pandemic and scaled our programs,” said Sunshine Tenasco, the Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “RBC and its employees share our vision for Indigenous empowerment through entrepreneurship. We are honoured to work together to showcase, celebrate and champion Indigenous entrepreneurs to start up and build businesses in their own way.”
In addition to supporting Pow Wow Pitch with two years of sponsorship support, RBC employees are also involved as mentors, trusted advisors, and judges for Pow Wow Pitch virtual pitch contests and on the ground in Winnipeg, Ottawa and Kamloops.
“RBC is proud to scale our support for Pow Wow Pitch as we continue to advance our shared goal of empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “There are countless Indigenous trailblazers and innovators who are leading the way to a more inclusive and equitable economy, and who are ready to take their business to the next level. We’re excited to uncover more of these inspiring stories and to support their journeys with mentorship, micro startup funds and exposure over the next two years.”
To learn more about the collaboration between Pow Wow Pitch and RBC, visit www.powwowpitch.org/rbc.
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About Pow Wow Pitch
Pow Wow Pitch is an entrepreneurship program for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, which provides a safe, supportive, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances, develops and accelerates the growth for current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way through programs and resources. In addition, community leadership through volunteerism is promoted to reflect respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch. For more information, visit www.powwowpitch.org.
About RBC Indigenous Financial Services Group
For more than 100 years, RBC has been building strong relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. We are committed to serving Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, businesses and individuals by creating opportunities for sustainable economic development through access to banking and capital, community and social development, employment, education and training and procurement. RBC also provides donations and grants that support Indigenous interests. More information is available at rbcroyalbank.com/indigenous.