Navajo business based in Woodspring, AZ, USA wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 17th, 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 Walter Bia & Marissa Begay, the Navajo Co-Founders of Bravo Solar and Wind LLC, a business based in Woodspring, AZ, USA, as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch People’s Choice Semi-Final Winner. Walter & Marissa have won $1,000 and are 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.
As part of the competition, Pow Wow Pitch invited the public to vote for their favourite entrepreneur to win the People’s Choice Prize as part of a campaign to showcase, celebrate, and rally for the Semi-Finalists. This year, more than 12,000 people from across Turtle Island casted their votes for the entrepreneur that they wanted to see make it to the Grand Finale.
Walter and Marissa are advancing to the Grand Finale after receiving over 800 of the 12,000 votes as part of the Pow Wow Pitch People’s Choice Voting.
“Having our community rally for our success means everything to us. We definitely saw that support when we were featured in two different local newspapers, which helped spread the word and bring our community together behind our vision,” said Walter Bia, Co-Founder of Bravo Solar and Wind. “It’s a reminder that our work is bigger than just our team or our business, it represents our people, our culture, and our future. Their support fuels our determination, inspires us to innovate, and strengthens our commitment to creating real impact. Knowing that so many believe in our vision motivates us to work harder, not just for ourselves, but to create opportunities, safer systems, and lasting benefits for our community.”
Walter Bia & Marissa Begay, Co-Founders of Bravo Solar and Wind, are proud to lead a veteran-owned and operated business committed to advancing renewable energy solutions. Specializing in high-quality inspection services; including gearbox, blade, main bearing, and other critical wind turbine components, their team ensures the long-term productivity and efficiency of wind assets. With a strong focus on sustainability and performance, Bravo Solar and Wind helps businesses and wind farms optimize their energy output while contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
Bravo Solar and Wind plans to use the funds towards enhancing its inspection technology, enabling more precise, data-driven maintenance solutions for renewable energy systems. These funds will also allow the company to build capital reserves for risk management, invest in insurance infrastructure, and launch workforce development initiatives aimed at creating tribal employment. By expanding their capacity, Walter and Marissa are not only supporting energy resilience but also generating meaningful job opportunities through travel-based work in tribal and rural communities, amplifying both economic and environmental impact.
“One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the importance of staying rooted in our values while pursuing growth,” shared Walter. “As Indigenous entrepreneurs, we carry not just a business vision, but also a responsibility to our communities and future generations. My advice to other Indigenous entrepreneurs is to embrace that dual role, use your cultural strengths as a foundation, seek collaboration over competition, and don’t be afraid to innovate in spaces where our voices haven’t always been heard. Every challenge is an opportunity to create impact, and when we succeed, we open doors for others to follow.”
“Congratulations to Walter Bia and Marissa Begay on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Walter and Marissa’s journey reflects the power of community; friends, family, and supporters rallying behind them, uplifting their Indigenous-led business, and celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurship. They inspire us all by showing what’s possible when we lift up Indigenous voices and build together.”
“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 Walter and Marissa for advancing to the next round.”
To watch Walter and Marissa’s winning pitch, click here.
Walter and Marissa 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 at 6:00 PM ET. Register to watch the 2025 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.