Prizes:

$5,000 1st Prize + Gold Ticket to Pitch at Grand Finale
$2,500 2nd Prize
$1,000 3rd Prize
$500 Youth Prize
$500 Fan Favourite

Where and When:

Gesgapegiag First Nation PowWow Grounds,
6 Perron Boulevard, Gesgapegiag, Quebec
July 17 & 18 | Starting at 10:00 a.m.

Register

Do you run a business or have a business idea?

Are you going to the Gesgapegiag Mawiomi PowWow in Gesgapegiag, Quebec taking place July 2026?

Pre-Register Now and Pitch to WIN!

Join us live at the Gesgapegiag Mawiomi PowWow, in Gesgapegiag, Quebec July 17 & 18, and share your 1-minute business pitch to win funds and the support of the entire community!

Who qualifies?

Any Indigenous person with a business idea or a business of any type and in any industry can pitch for a chance to win cash prizes and gain a community of support.

All participants receive: 

  • Access to a community of ongoing support.
  • Free access to the Indigenous Startup Program.
  • A free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA.
  • And many other opportunities!

Schedule

Day 1 - Friday, July 17th

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Registration Table Open (Under the tent)

Sign in at the Pow Wow Pitch table and get your nametag and number.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00  p.m. - Round 1 Pitch (Stage under the tent)

Pitch for 1-minute to the judges.

1:00 - 1:20 p.m. - Top 10 Announcement (Stage under the tent)

Join us as we announce the Top 10 and find out who is pitching in Round 2.

1:20 - 2:30 p.m. - Mentorship (around the powwow grounds)

Get matched with a mentor and meet for up to 1 hour to prepare for your Round 2 Pitch.

Day 2 - Saturday, July 18th

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. - Round 2 Pitch at the Powwow Arbor

Pitch for 1-minute, followed by 2-minutes of Q&A with the judges.

11:15 - 11:30 a.m. - Winner Announcements and Fan Favourite Voting

Pow Wow Pitch announces the Gesgapegiag Pow Wow Pitch Winners and Fan Favourite! Make sure you have your friends and family there to cheer you on!

How to Participate:

STEP 1 - Complete the pre-registration form.
STEP 2 - Arrive to the PowWow grounds on Friday July 17 at 10:00 a.m. to register at the Pow Wow Pitch table under the tent to receive your name tag and number.
STEP 3 - Line up by 11:00 a.m. by number and get ready to pitch.
STEP 4 - Find out if you made the Top 10 at 1:00 p.m.!

When you pre-register, we will send you all of the details at least 1 week before the powwow.

What to Include in Your 1-Minute Pitch:

  • Introduce yourself and where you are from.
  • Tell us the name of your business and what you want to sell or already sell.
  • Tell us how you would use $25,000 to take your idea or business to the next level.
  • Additional info to share: Tell us why you want to do this? Who is part of your team? Your traction to date? Your vision for the future?

How your Pitch is scored:

/5 Presentation - Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated their product/service, value proposition, and pathway to sustainability and success?
/5 Execution - Has the entrepreneur demonstrated commitment to follow through on their business goals?
/5 Motivation - Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated how they will use the money to start or take that next step?
/5 Community Uplift - Has the entrepreneur clearly outlined how their business creates or intends to create positive outcomes for their community?

Questions?

If you have any questions, email hello@powwowpitch.org.