PARTNER SUPPORT
Thank you for your support of the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Program. This page is a hub for information and coordination of Pow Wow Pitch partners as we navigate through the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Program. This page is updated in real-time as details are confirmed and is the most up-to-date source for information.
LAST UPDATED June 21, 2024
PART 1 - COMMUNICATIONS
LOGO & BRAND GUIDELINES
Click here to access our Brand Guidelines and Logo.
BOILERPLATE
Pow Wow Pitch is a non-profit organization supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, with the co-presenting support of RBC, Shopify and Mastercard Canada. Pow Wow Pitch provides a safe, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances, develops and accelerates the growth of current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way through programs and resources. Community leadership and reconciliation through volunteerism is promoted as a reflection of respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch. For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.
eNEWSLETTER DEADLINES
Partners are welcome to submit content for inclusion in our monthly eNewsletter, with more than 42,300 subscribers. Content should include
- A high-res image (width - 1030px, height 515px - 1030px).
- A short title.
- Approximately 50 words of text.
- A web link to learn more.
Content submitted will also be promoted through the Pow Wow Pitch social media channels as appropriate. Please fill out this eNewsletter Content Submission Form or email keely@powwowpitch.org with any content by the dates below.
| eNewsletter Content Deadline | eNewsletter Release Date |
|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2024 | Feb 8, 2024 |
| Feb 29, 2024 | March 7, 2024 |
| Mar 28, 2024 | April 4, 2024 |
| April 25, 2024 | May 2, 2024 |
| May 30, 2024 | June 6, 2024 |
| June 27, 2024 | July 4, 2024 |
| July 25, 2024 | Aug 1, 2024 |
| Aug 29, 2024 | Sept 5, 2024 |
| Sept 26, 2024 | Oct 3, 2024 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | Nov 7, 2024 |
| Nov 28, 2024 | Dec 5, 2024 |
PART 2 - PARTNER BRAND ENTITLEMENTS
ACTION 1: LOGOS & BRAND GUIDELINES
Please check out our Partners Page and confirm your logo is correct. If you are a new partner, please email your logo, brand guidelines, website link, social media links and boilerplate to naomi@powwowpitch.org by March 21, 2024.
ACTION 2: PARTNER PAGES
Many of our partners are entitled to have a partner page on our website to showcase your support for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Pow Wow Pitch.
If you had a Partner Page from 2023, please review your page and provide revisions by email.
If you do not yet have a partner page and would like one, please provide the content to us by email and allow for two weeks for implementation. Generally, Partner Pages include a logo, website link, social media handles, and a boilerplate summary of how your organization supports and serves Indigenous entrepreneurs. You can also have Indigenous-focused stories, resources, events or calls to action relevant for Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs.
Pow Wow Pitch promotes these pages throughout the Programming season through our social channels.
Please email revisions to keely@powwowpitch.org by March 21, 2024.
ACTION 3: PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
We love to kick off our Programming Season year with Partner Announcements. All partners are entitled to partner Announcements, including a post on our website and a dedicated day of social media recognition for the Partnership. Pow Wow Pitch will draft the announcement for your review, develop social artwork. Dates are on a first-come basis. Please review your announcement and release date and provide approvals by March 21, 2024 to naomi@powwowpitch.org.
| Release Date | Partner | Release Date | Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20, 2024 | NACCA | April 10, 2024 | Wabanaki Maple |
| March 22, 2024 | Sklar Wilton & Associates | May 1, 2024 | Futurpreneur |
| March 25, 2024 | CIRA | April 24, 2024 | Raven Indigenous Capital Partners |
| March 27, 2024 | RBC | April 15, 2024 | Mastercard Canada |
| March 28, 2024 | EDC | April 16, 2024 | Jelly Academy |
| April 12, 2024 | Best Buy | April 18, 2024 | Shopify |
| April 4, 2024 | Northforge | April 19, 2024 | ITAC |
| April 5, 2024 | MINI TIPI | April 22, 2024 | Canada Post |
| April 5, 2024 | Invest Ottawa | May 16, 2024 | NAFC |
| April 8, 2024 | CFDC of CIFN | TBC | Aritzia |
| April 8, 2024 | ANTCO | TBC | Indigenous Prosperity Foundation |
| April 9, 2024 | Artik | TBC | MNP |
| April 10, 2024 | JEDI |
PODCAST
All podcast episodes for the year are recorded and produced in February, and new podcast episodes are dropped every two weeks, starting March 13 until December 2024.
PART 3 - PROGRAMMING
This Year, Pow Wow Pitch will release 11 Virtual Semi-Finals and 4 In-Person Pow Wow Pitch events, leading to a Grand Finale Pow Wow Pitch. We have a very ambitious year ahead, a fantastic lineup of Judges and Mentors, and more than $100,000 in cash prizes. 2024 will be topped off with the 4th Annual Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, and the Pow Wow Pitch Box.
Registered Judges and Mentors will receive a briefing email and calendar invitations by June 15th. In July, Judge and Mentor profiles will be added to the website. All Judges will receive a Pow Wow Pitch Box and all Mentors will receive a $50 Powwowmarket.ca gift card.
Judge Registration | Judge Briefing (Deadline June 5, 2024)
Mentor Registration | Mentor Briefing (Deadline June 5, 2024)
3.1. VIRTUAL POW WOW PITCH JUDGING
Co-Presenting sponsors may have one Judge seat per semi-final and the Grand Finale. All other judge seats are indicated in partner agreements. Where possible, we welcome Indigenous associates or individuals who have sector-specific experience.
| Category | Judge Orientation / Tech Checks | Recording Date | Release Date | Judges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not-for-profit | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 6, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Sept 3 | Co-Presenting |
| Tourism | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 6, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ET | Sept 4 | Co-Presenting + ITAC |
| Knowledge Services | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 7, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Sept 5 | Co-Presenting |
| Consumer Products & Retail | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 7, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ET | Sept 6 | Co-Presenting |
| Health & Wellness and Innovation | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 8, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Sept 9 | Co-Presenting |
| Professional Services & Trades | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 8, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ET | Sept 10 | Co-Presenting |
| Food & Drink | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 9, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Sept 11 | Co-Presenting |
| Creative | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 9, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ET | Sept 12 | Co-Presenting |
| Youth and Startup | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 12, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Sept 13 | Co-Presenting + Best Buy |
| Tech | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 12, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ET | Sept 16 | Co-Presenting |
| Fashion | July 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET) | Aug 13, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET | Sept 17 | Co-Presenting + Aritzia |
| Grand Finale | September 25 | Oct 3, 11:00 - 5:00 PM ET | Oct 23 - 6:00 PM ET | Co-Presenting |
3.2. VIRTUAL POW WOW PITCH MENTORSHIP
- Mentor Registration deadline is June 5, 2024
- The Mentor Orientation with Sunshine Tenasco takes place July 17 at 12 - 1 PM ET and July 18 at 2 - 3pm ET
- The Semi-Final Mentorship takes place July 23rd to 30th, 2024
3.3. POW WOW PITCH INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP
On June 19th, from 12 PM - 3 PM ET, Pow Wow Pitch will partner with Co-Presenting and Bespoke Partners to host Sessions with Indigenous Entrepreneurs recorded, streamed live, and available for on-demand access after that. All Pow Wow Pitch Applicants and Alumni will be invited to this Indigenous Entrepreneurs Bootcamp. The schedule and agenda are attendee-driven and driven by Q&A rather than presentations. Sunshine Tenasco will host the Sessions.
3.4. POW WOW PITCH FINALIST BOOTCAMP
The Finalist Bootcamp takes place on September 24 from 12 - 3 PM ET involving co-presenting and bespoke partners. Finalist Mentorship with Skar Wilton Takes place September 25th to October 2nd.
3.5. IN-PERSON SPONSOR PARTICIPATION
Sponsor entitlements
Several sponsorship packages include opportunities to judge and mentor. Partners should coordinate participation at powwows in accordance with partnership agreements with Naomi@powwowpitch.org.
| Date | Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2024 | Manito Ahbee | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Full event |
| June 22, 2024 | Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival | Ottawa, Ontario | Full event |
| Jun 28 & 29, 2024 | Kamloopa Powwow | Kamloops, British Columbia | Full event |
| July 27, 2024 | Tobique Powwow | Tobique, New Brunswick | Full event |
3.6. INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS
The following organizations sponsor the Indigenous entrepreneur Awards: RBC, Shopify, Mastercard Canada, EDC, ITAC & Sklar Wilton & Associates.
Partners sponsoring the Awards will have the opportunity to submit their preferences of who they wish to present an award to. We will send you the names of the entrepreneurs and their profiles on July 18 for you to submit your rankings within one week.
Please introduce Naomi@powwowpitch.org to your presenter by June 5, 2024. Upon introduction, we will onboard the Presenter(s) and coordinate their involvement.
Sponsoring partners are invited to have an ad play before their presentation. Ads are due by September 30, 2024.
Video ad requirments:
We are looking to incorporate a short video that would play at the awards ceremony that you would provide us. The video is a general message about how your organization helps (Indigenous) entrepreneurs. Please see an example here for entrepreneurs more generally from UPS. We are looking for a short 20-30 sec video that is 1920x1080 in resolution in either a .mov or .mp4 video format. Please send along anything you already may have that would fit these criteria. We are NOT looking for a video ad for a specific product or service. We are looking for a culture and identity-building piece and how you support entrepreneurs.
| Awards Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| April 3 | Launch |
| June 5 | Application deadline |
| Jul 18 | Submit award winners to sponsors |
| Jul 25 | Sponsor deadline to select entrepreneurs they wish to present awards to |
| Aug 14 - 20 | Sponsor presentation recordings |
| Sept 30 | Submit sponsor video ad |
| Nov 13 | Digital gala airing |
PART 4 - OTHER ENTITLEMENTS
4.1. POW WOW PITCH BOX
If you haven’t secured additional Pow Wow Pitch Boxes but are interested, please inform Naomi by June 30, 2024, as we have limited quantities. To arrange the delivery, kindly provide the following details:
| Full Name | Complete Mailing Address | Number of Boxes | Phone Number |
Please send this information to Naomi@powwowpitch.org
Each box costs $200 + HST, inclusive of shipping within Canada. The contents inside the box have a retail value of $350.
4.2. ADVISORY COUNCIL
Co-Presenting partners are entitled to have a seat on the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will meet on:
Mar 21, 2024, 1 - 3 PM ET
Jun 20, 2024, 1 - 3 PM ET
Sep 19, 2024, 1 - 3 PM ET
Dec 5, 2024, 1 - 3 PM ET
Feb 20, 2025, 1 - 3 PM ET