Pow Wow Pitch and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners share a mission to create pathways for thriving, sustainable entrepreneurs
Across Turtle Island (North America), Indigenous entrepreneurs are building businesses that are not only transforming their communities but also redefining the broader economic landscape. At the heart of this grassroots movement are organizations like Pow Wow Pitch and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, working in tandem to empower and elevate Indigenous voices in entrepreneurship.
Founded by Sunshine Tenasco, Pow Wow Pitch began with a powerful vision. After appearing on Dragon’s Den, Sunshine was inspired to create a similar platform tailored for Indigenous communities—a place where Indigenous entrepreneurs could safely pitch their ideas, receive feedback, and grow. Since then, Pow Wow Pitch has evolved into a vital support ecosystem that inspires Indigenous entrepreneurs to vocalize and believe in their dreams, offering not just funding, but validation and visibility.
“Pow Wow Pitch is unique,” Sunshine shares. “We include children and elders in our audience and participants. It’s not just about business—it’s about community, supporting the next generation, and lifting each other up.”
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners complements this mission with targeted financial investment and strategic mentorship. As the first Indigenous-owned and led Venture Capital fund in Canada, Raven provides early-stage capital ($250,000 to $5 million) to First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs. General Partner Althea Wishloff describes Pow Wow Pitch as “an incredible waterway for Raven,” enabling them to meet entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their journey.
What binds these organizations is their belief in a collaborative ecosystem. Sunshine and Pow Wow Pitch Executive Director Naomi Sarazin highlight that strategic partnerships like Raven’s allow each entity to “pass the microphone,” giving Indigenous entrepreneurs center stage. “We appreciate partners who share their platforms to showcase Indigenous excellence,” Sunshine says.
The ripple effects of this collaboration are evident in success stories like Cheekbone Beauty, a Pow Wow Pitch alumni and Raven portfolio company. Cheekbone Beauty has carved out space in the competitive beauty industry, selling clean, sustainable products in Sephora locations and boutique stores across Canada. More importantly, it has become a beacon of Indigenous innovation and excellence.
The journey for Indigenous entrepreneurs is rarely straightforward, according to Raven General Partner Sean McCormick, common challenges include limited access to startup capital and business experience. “We aim to meet entrepreneurs where they are, with flexible, creative solutions,” he says. This includes not just funding, but also capacity-building, mentorship, and a deep respect for cultural ways of doing business.
Sustainability, for Raven, means building resiliency into the very fabric of these ventures—supporting leaders who prioritize Indigenous ownership, long-term impact, and community leadership. “To go slow is to go smooth, and to go smooth is to go fast,” says Althea Wishloff, emphasizing the importance of intentional growth.
As Raven continues to deploy its $110 million Fund II, and Pow Wow Pitch prepares for another season of supporting Indigenous founders, the future of Indigenous entrepreneurship looks promising. Together, these organizations are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient, and empowered economic future—one grassroots business at a time.
For more, visit ravencapitalpartners.com and powwowpitch.org.