2025 POW WOW PITCH MENTOR BRIEFING

Thank you for being a Mentor for the 2025 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.

Our pitch competition is offered virtually and in-person at powwows. 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 $100,000 in cash prizes available, we're dedicated to supporting the growth and success of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Join us in celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation, and meet our 2024 Semi-Finalists.

 

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 1-4 entrepreneurs for 1-hour mentorship sessions online, which you will book at a convenient time for both you and your mentee to take place between July 23 - 30. 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 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?

/5

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Has the entrepreneur demonstrated they have impacted or have plans to impact their community as part of their business model and mandate?

TIMELINE

06
Jun
2025

MENTOR REGISTRATION OPEN

April 1 to June 6
Mentors to complete registration form by June 6, 2025.
17
Jun
2025

MENTOR ONBOARDING EMAIL

Mentors receive onboarding email.

15
Jul
2025

MENTOR ORIENTATION

July 15 and 16
Each mentor will join one of two Mentor Orientations to receive training on being a Mentor and providing support to your Mentee. This is mandatory for all Mentors to ensure we create a safe and supportive environment for the Indigenous entrepreneurs.
21
Jul
2025

MENTOR & MENTEE CONNECT

Pow Wow Pitch emails you an introduction to your mentees, at which point you will liaise with them to book a mutually convenient time for your 1-1 mentorship sessions.
22
Jul
2025

MENTORSHIP

July 22 to July 31
Mentors meet with their entrepreneurs for 1 hour at a mutually convenient time between July 22 and July 31, to support them in refining their pitch.
16
Sep
2025

MENTOR FEEDBACK

Pow Wow Pitch would like to hear your feedback on the mentorship experience.

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 hello@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'm honoured to be volunteering with Pow Wow Pitch this year, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs as a mentor as they get ready to pitch their business ideas for funding and support to take their business ideas to the next level! Wishing all of the entrepreneurs the best as they take bold steps toward their goals! ❤️

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.