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2023 POW WOW PITCH MENTOR BRIEFING

Thank you for being a Mentor for the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Competition! This webpage is designed to provide you with everything you need to know to have a successful Mentorship experience supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs participating in the Pow Wow Pitch Competition.

ABOUT THE PITCH

Pow Wow Pitch is a pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island to shine the spotlight on pow wow vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level.

This year, we're excited to bring our competition to six powwows across Canada and the United States, as well as virtually. Entrepreneurs have the chance to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges and potentially win cash prizes of up to $25,000. With more than $150,000 in cash prizes available, we're dedicated to supporting the growth and success of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Join us in celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation.

 

THE ROLE OF MENTORS

At its core, being a mentor is being a trusted advisor. It can mean many different things, but it all boils down to making yourself available to support and advise someone when they need it, delivering that support in a way that makes sense to them, and always keeping that person's best interests in mind.

Your role as a Mentor is to meet with 3 to 4 entrepreneurs for 1-hour mentorship sessions, which you will book at a convenient time for both you and your mentee to take place the week of August 7th to August 10th 2023. During the session, you will get to know them and their business, listen to their pitch and provide feedback, advice and mentorship to help them to strengthen their pitch for the Semi-Final competition the following week and ultimately strengthen their business.

 

HOW THE ENTREPRENEURS WILL BE EVALUATED

/5

PRESENTATION

Has the entrepreneur communicated their product/service, value proposition and a pathway to sustainability and success?

/5

EXECUTION

Has the entrepreneur convinced the judges that they will 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?

TIMELINE

12
Jul
2023

MENTOR ONBOARDING EMAIL

Mentors receive onboarding email.

26
Jul
2023

MENTOR ONBOARDING CALL

July 26th or July 27th
Mentors will join one of two 30-min mandatory onboarding calls with Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenasco at 1 PM ET on July 26th or 27th.
31
Jul
2023

MENTORS CONNECT WITH ENTREPRENEURS

Pow Wow Pitch provides each mentor with the emails and telephone numbers of 3 to 4 entrepreneurs with whom to book meetings.
07
Aug
2023

MENTORS MEET WITH ENTREPRENEURS

Aug 7th to Aug 10th
Mentors meet with their entrepreneurs for 1 hour per entrepreneur at a mutually convenient time between August 7th and August 10th.
18
Aug
2023

MENTOR FEEDBACK DEADLINE

Mentors provide feedback on their mentorship experience by completing a feedback form.

MENTOR SUPPORT

As a mentor, if you have any questions or concerns, or have difficulty connecting with your entrepreneur, please reach out to us as soon as possible. Our Program Coordinator will be happy to support you. She can be reached at brett@powwowpitch.org. Please include MENTOR in your subject line to ensure your email  receives priority. 

SHARE THE NEWS

We are grateful for your involvement in Pow Wow Pitch and we want to celebrate it with you.

Let's share the news on social media and inspire others to join us in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship across Turtle Island. Feel free to use the post below for inspiration and download our graphics and frame to showcase your involvement and spread the word.

I am so proud to be volunteering for Pow Wow Pitch this year to mentor Indigenous entrepreneurs as they prepare to pitch to win funds and support to start up and take their business ideas to the next level! Good luck to all of the entrepreneurs! 🏹 ❤️ ✨ 🌱  Check out this year’s lineup of mentors!  https://www.powwowpitch.org/pitch/2023-mentors

DOWNLOAD GRAPHICS PACK

PREPARE TO MENTOR INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS

We invite you to watch this webinar with a former Pow Wow Pitch Mentor and Mentee to learn about effective mentorship, particularly for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

THIS VIDEO COVERS:

  • What is mentorship?
  • What is business mentorship?
  • What is unique about mentorship for Indigenous entrepreneurs?
  • How does the Pow Wow Pitch mentorship process work?
  • What does a first-time meeting with a mentor look like?

TIPS FOR A GREAT MENTORSHIP SESSION

1
Approach each mentorship differently. Some entrepreneurs will dive right in and lead the way, and others will be hoping you will lead.
2
Begin by introducing yourself and providing a warm and encouraging atmosphere for an open and constructive conversation.
3
Take the first 5 minutes or so to get to know your entrepreneur and, together, set objectives for the call based on any concerns they might have right off the bat.
4
Take a genuine interest in your mentee as a person. Don't assume anything about your mentee. Ask.
5
Invite them to pretend they are pitching and pitch their business.
6
With great empathy and care, please provide them with gentle feedback, beginning with their strengths, followed by constructive notes to consider.
7
Share with them a few 'golden nugget' tips from your area of expertise that perhaps goes beyond their pitch to help them to think about their business in a new way. You have so much to offer; share a bit of yourself.
8
Ensure that the sessions are dialogues and prompt conversation with questions.
9
Celebrate their achievements.