2026 MENTOR SUPPORT
Thank you for being a Mentor for the 2026 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. View the full Mentor Guide here.
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 2026 Finalists.
THE ROLE OF MENTORS
At its core, being a mentor is about showing up in a good way, as a trusted guide, a listener, and a support for someone else's journey. It can take many forms, but it always comes back to making yourself available with positive intention, sharing your knowledge in a way that meets them where they are, and walking alongside them with their best interests at heart. It's about lifting them up and building their confidence so they can shine!
Your role as a Mentor is to meet virtually with one of our Finalists for a 1-hour session, scheduled at a time that works for both of you between between September 23 - 30, 2026. You’ll get to know them and their business, hear their pitch, review the pitch feedback provided by Karla Biones, and share your insights and guidance to help them refine their ideas and boost their confidence ahead of the Grand Finale.
Each entrepreneur will have a 2-minute pitch and a 2-minute Q&A with the judges on October 1, 2026. Your role is to encourage, share insight, and support them so they feel confident and ready to shine.
HOW THE ENTREPRENEURS WILL BE EVALUATED
PRESENTATION
Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated their product/service, value proposition, and a pathway to sustainability and success?
EXECUTION
Has the entrepreneur demonstrated commitment to follow through on their business goals?
MOTIVATION
Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated how they will use the money to start or take that next step?
COMMUNITY UPLIFT
Has the entrepreneur clearly outlined how their business creates or intends to create positive outcomes for their community?
TIMELINE
MENTOR REGISTRATION OPEN
MENTOR & ENTREPRENEUR CONNECT
MENTORSHIP
1-1 virtual mentorship
GRAND FINALE
Watch Party
MENTOR FEEDBACK
MENTOR SUPPORT
As a mentor, if you have any questions or concerns, or have difficulty connecting with your entrepreneur, please reach out to Keisha Perrin, Programs Coordinator, as soon as possible at keisha@powwowpitch.org. Please include Mentor Support 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.
Excited to mentor a Pow Wow Pitch Finalist! Honoured to support one incredible Indigenous entrepreneur as they sharpen their pitch and grow their business. Wishing all of the Semi-Finalists the best as they take bold steps towards their goals! ❤️
DOWNLOAD YOUR MENTOR ZOOM BACKGROUND
We invite judges to download and use the official Pow Wow Pitch Mentor Zoom Background during mentoring sessions.
Need help setting it up? View Zoom's virtual background instructions.
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
Approach each mentorship differently. Some entrepreneurs will dive right in and lead the way, and others will be hoping you will lead.
Begin by introducing yourself and providing a warm and encouraging atmosphere for an open and constructive conversation.
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.
Take a genuine interest in your mentee as a person. Don't assume anything about your mentee. Ask.
Invite them to pretend they are pitching and pitch their business.
With great empathy and care, please provide them with gentle feedback, beginning with their strengths, followed by constructive notes to consider.
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.
Ensure that the sessions are dialogues and prompt conversation with questions.
Celebrate their achievements.
FAQ
Who are the Finalists?
The Finalists are winners of each Semi-Final industry category. They've earned their spot in the Grand Finale and are now sharing their businesses and stories for the chance to receive the $25,000 Grand Prize.
Watch their winning pitches on our Episodes page and meet the Finalists who are moving forward to the Grand Finale.
What information should entrepreneurs include in their final pitch?
As a mentor, you can encourage the entrepreneur to focus on telling a clear, authentic story about themselves, their business, and where they are headed. You may want to propmt them to consider:
- Who are you? Encourage them to introduce themselves, their business, and the Indigenous community they are part of.
- Why did you start your business? Help them share the story behind their business and the need, opportunity, or problem they are addressing.
- Where are you now, and where are you going? Encourage them to share how far they have taken their business and their vision for the future.
- Why you? Have them speak to their experience, strengths, team, and what makes them the right person to take the business forward.
- How would you use the prize money? Encourage them to be specific about what receiving $25,000 would allow them to do or move forward.
- How does your business contribute to community uplift? Invite them to share how their business creates opportunities, strengthens relationships, supports others, or contributes to the wellbeing and growth of their community.
- Be themselves. Most importantly, encourage entrepreneurs to use their own voice and share what makes their story and business unique.
How can I support and encourage my mentee?
Your encouragement can make a meaningful difference as your mentee prepares for the Grand Finale. Consider:
- Listen first. Give your mentee space to share their story and ideas in their own words.
- Build their confidence. Remind them of what makes their business and story unique, and celebrate how far they have come.
- Ask thoughtful questions. Help them think through their story, vision, goals, and how their business contributes to community uplift.
- Create a safe space to practice. Invite them to pitch to you and provide constructive feedback that helps them feel more confident and prepared.
- Keep them authentic. Encourage them to speak in their own voice.
- Remind them that this is about more than the prize. Pow Wow Pitch is a space to share, connect, build relationships, and celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship. Encourage them to enjoy the experience and the community around them.
What if I am having trouble connecting with my mentee?
Please contact Pow Wow Pitch at hello@powwowpitch.org and we can help connect you with your mentee.
Can I meet with my mentee for longer than the recommended time?
Absolutely! The one hour is a recommended meeting time to help ensure mentors and mentees have enough time to connect while keeping the commitment manageable. If you and your mentee would like to spend more time together, you are welcome to extend your meeting or connect again.
What kinds of questions will the judges be asking?
Judges may ask questions based on the entrepreneur's pitch, business, and vision. While judges are free to ask their own questions, we provide them with a selection of suggested questions to help guide the conversation.
Here are some questions you can use to help your mentee feel prepared:
Presentation
- We’d love to hear who you are, where you’re from, and what you’re building.
- Can you walk us through what products or services you’re offering and who it’s designed for?
- How are you currently promoting or introducing your product/service to your audience?
- What makes your product or service stand out? What
Execution
- What concrete steps have you taken so far to move your business from idea to action? Or how do you plan to bring your business idea to action?
- What key milestones have you achieved to date?
- What does success look like for the next 12 months?
- What helps you stay focused and committed to following through on your business goals?
Motivation
- Can you clearly outline how you would use the $25,000 to take the next step in your business?
- What specific activities or milestones would this funding support in the short term or long term?
- How will this funding help move your business forward in a meaningful way?
- What progress have you made so far, and how will this funding support your next steps?
- What are your immediate and longer-term goals, and how does this funding help you move toward them?
Community Uplift
- Can you describe the specific positive changes your business has created, or aims to create, for you, your family or your community?
- How are Indigenous values, knowledge, or cultural practices meaningfully integrated into your business model and decision-making?
- In what ways do you actively engage, support, or collaborate with your community and/or communities through your business?
- What legacy do you hope to leave?
- Who supports you in your business, do you have a team, mentors, family, or community members helping you?
- What changes have you seen in your family or community because of your business?