Haida & Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation business based in Vancouver, BC wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 11th, 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 K’odi, Haida & Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation Founder of First-ory, a business based in Vancouver, BC, as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Technology Semi-Final Winner. K’odi 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. Eleven Technology 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 Crystal Brummell, Senior Digital Product Owner at RBC; Thomas Ko, Director of Software Engineer at Mastercard; Zachary Pashe, Coordinator at ADAAWE Indigenous Business Hub; Althea Wishloff, Partner at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners; and Maddy Poupore, UX Manager at CIRA.
“I’d like to thank so many people,” said K’odi Taylor, founder of First-ory. “Especially the fluent speakers who helped me with the language work. To my very first customers for taking a chance on me and believing in my dream. Most of all I want to thank my friend Lisa Marks. No one has done as much for me and my company as she has and she consistently tries to downplay her contribution whenever I try to acknowledge her or give her credit. I can’t express properly how much your help has meant to me.”
K’odi Taylor, founder of First-ory, is a passionate advocate for Indigenous language revitalization and cultural education. Based in British Columbia, K’odi created First-ory to offer immersive and accessible language learning tools rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems. The platform blends technology, storytelling, and community-led teaching to reconnect people with their ancestral languages. With a strong foundation in both traditional culture and modern innovation, First-ory offers interactive tools, digital content, and culturally relevant learning experiences designed to support learners at every stage. K’odi’s mission is to help as many Indigenous people as possible learn their native tongue and reconnect with the ancestral language foundations that hold generations of identity, ceremony, and strength.
In his pitch, K’odi shared plans to use the funding to take Firstory to the next level. A portion of the funds will go toward hiring a professional CEO to help develop a strategic business plan and scale the platform with sustainability and impact in mind. The remainder will be used for targeted marketing to grow awareness and reach more communities. K’odi also emphasized the business’ deep commitment to community impact: a portion of every sale will be set aside to offer discounts for those in need, provide hands-on training to Indigenous learners and educators, and launch research-based campaigns to further language preservation efforts. Through Firstory, K’odi is building more than a business, he is creating a movement rooted in healing, empowerment, and the survival of Indigenous languages for generations to come.
K’odi shared the following advice for aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs, “Don’t wait till you’re ready to start. You only become ready in retrospect after you’ve already been doing it. Have a goal, dream, or mission. Start and then figure it out as you go.”
The judges appreciated his clear and confident pitch, strong passion for the business, and the impressive traction he has already demonstrated with $100K in revenue. They were impressed by his ability to address questions effectively and saw great potential for further growth, especially with expanded marketing and visibility efforts.
“Congratulations to K’odi on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Through First-ory, K’odi is showing us that language revitalization is more than education, it is healing, empowerment, and community. Our languages hold our stories, our identity, and our way of life, and K’odi’s passion and innovation are helping ensure they thrive for generations to come. Through language preservation and revitalization, we are so proud to celebrate K’odi’s vision and the movement he is building to strengthen not only his Nation, but all Indigenous peoples.”
Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Technology industry category. Brooke Woboditsch, Founder of ScribeWire, the judges appreciated her enthusiastic delivery, heartfelt story, and the important work she’s doing to support accessibility and Indigenous language preservation through technology. They were especially moved by her commitment to continuing her family’s legacy and recognized the strong community need for her business.
“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 K’odi Taylor for advancing to the next round.”
To watch K’odi’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Technology Semi-Final episode, click here.
K’odi 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.