Mohawk business based in Six Nations of the Grand River, ON, wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 4th, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC and Mastercard, announced Kendal Garlow, the Mohawk Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync, a business based in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Sustainability Semi-Final Winner. Kendal has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their business.
More than 130 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) were selected as Semi-Finalists in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch. Each received training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges, competing for the chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. Twelve Sustainability Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and a spot in the finals.
Judges included Sydney Baldwin, Senior Relationship Manager of Commercial Markets at RBC; Carissa Snachez, Investment Associate at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners; and Shehnila Sayeed, Senior Communications Specialist at CIRA.
“There is one person I’d like to thank, and that’s my partner in business and in life, Thomas,” said Kendal Garlow, CEO and Co-Founder of SproutSync. “His engineering expertise and dedication are what help our business continue to move forward and make waves in the agriculture and tech industry. We’re so happy we’ve come this far, and enjoying this process is the most important part of Pow Wow Pitch for us.”
Kendal Garlow, Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync, is preparing to launch with a vision to empower Indigenous growers through culturally aligned greenhouse automation tools. SproutSync focuses on blending advanced agricultural technology with traditional knowledge, ensuring that innovation supports and respects community values and practices. By aligning automation with cultural authenticity, Kendal aims to make modern growing systems more accessible while helping Indigenous communities strengthen food sovereignty and overcome technical barriers in agriculture.
In her recent pitch, Kendal outlined a clear roadmap for using incoming funds to accelerate SproutSync’s impact. The priority is to finalize their prototype and begin testing with local partners, ensuring that the product is refined in real-world settings that reflect community needs. Concurrently, they aim to build an AI chatbot for client support, reducing technical barriers for growers. Altogether, Kendal’s plan positions SproutSync to promote food sovereignty, empower Indigenous agricultural leadership, and deliver agritech solutions that are as inclusive and accessible as they are innovative.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned thus far is that entrepreneurship, especially in community spaces, is about moving at the pace of trust,” shared Kendal. “This means listening deeply, building strong relationships, and finding and creating solutions that honour the people you’re working with. My advice for Indigenous entrepreneurs is to bring your Indigenous self into your business. Your culture, your learnings, your teachings, and your ways of knowing are all incredible strengths and belong in the business world.”
The judges congratulated Kendal for her incredibly strong and thoughtful pitch, highlighting her clear vision for both the present and future of SproutSync. They were especially impressed by her detailed planning and passion that truly stood out.
“Congratulations to Kendal Garlow on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Kendal’s approach reflects the true spirit of Indigenous entrepreneurship of listening deeply, building strong relationships, and creating solutions that honour and uplift community. With SproutSync, she is advancing food sovereignty in a way that blends technology with traditional knowledge, ensuring that innovation remains rooted in culture and values. We are excited to see Kendal’s leadership and impact grow as she continues this important work.”
Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Sustainability industry category. Nadia “Bogs” Bogayevsky, Founder of Good Native Plants, was recognized for her beautiful and well-delivered pitch, along with the clear explanation of her business and its impact.
“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous changemakers who are making a meaningful impact through their passion, creativity, and determination,” said Chinyere Eni, Head of RBC Origins. “We are so inspired by all the participants and semi-finalists – their ingenuity and perseverance to bring their innovative ideas to life is truly commendable. At RBC, we are committed to supporting their entrepreneurial journey and celebrating their successes.”
“The talent and determination showcased by this year’s Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs have been nothing short of inspiring,” said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. “Our team at Mastercard works closely with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to break down barriers and create new opportunities for growth and economic prosperity across Canada. Congratulations to all the pitchers for sharing their ideas and stories, and a special congratulations to Kendal Garlow for advancing to the next round.”
To watch Kendal’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Sustainability Semi-Final episode, click here.
Kendal will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 22, 2025. Register to watch the 2025 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.