Creating Growth through Partnerships between Researchers & Businesses

Pow Wow Pitch and Mitacs enter the second year of a three year partnership

Last year, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, and Mitacs, a national non-profit supporting partnerships between business and industry, embarked on a three-year partnership. This partnership was designed for providing mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support to Indigenous Entrepreneurs members within Pow Wow Pitch’s community. This year, we celebrate the second year of our continued partnership!

Over the past year, Mitacs has supported Pow Wow Pitch as Community-Level Sponsor; engaged its employees as mentors, trusted advisors, and judges for both virtual and in-person pitch contests at powwows across Canada; and hosted Pow Wow Pitch Founder, Sunshine Tenasco on its Podcast series on ‘Leading Women’. In addition, Mitacs has also supported Pow Wow Pitch finalists to connect with researchers and Mitacs innovation programs for ongoing support through its Indigenous Pathways Program

“It’s so important to connect the research and business community,” said Sunshine Tenasco, founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are delighted to continue this partnership with Mitacs to support Indigenous entrepreneurs to work more closely with Indigenous researchers at colleges and universities across Canada to decolonize and Indigenize research and business through partnerships and collaborations.” 

“Mitacs and Pow Wow Pitch share a vision for the future of innovation and the important role Indigenous researchers and organizations play in ensuring Canada’s economic success. We are proud to partner with Pow Wow Pitch as a Community-Level Sponsor and to continue working together to empower Indigenous innovation, research, and entrepreneurship,” said John Hepburn, CEO of Mitacs Inc

Pow Wow Pitch is also pleased to share the upcoming, 2023 Mitacs Entrepreneur Awards, happening May 18th. Join Mitacs in recognizing the most innovative leaders across Canada as they celebrate the outstanding achievements of five researchers turned entrepreneurs.

For more information on the partnership between Mitacs and Pow Wow Pitch, visit: https://www.powwowpitch.org/about/partners/mitacs/