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 March 11, 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. 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, 2024Feb 8, 2024
Feb 29, 2024March 7, 2024
Mar 28, 2024April 4, 2024
April 25, 2024May 2, 2024
May 30, 2024June 6, 2024
June 27, 2024July 4, 2024
July 25, 2024Aug 1, 2024
Aug 29, 2024Sept 5, 2024
Sept 26, 2024Oct 3, 2024
Oct 31, 2024Nov 7, 2024
Nov 28, 2024Dec 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 DatePartnerRelease DatePartner
April 8, 2024ANTCOApril 16, 2024Jelly Academy
TBDAritziaMarch 22, 2024Sklar Wilton & Associates
April 3, 2024Best BuyApril 2, 2024Mastercard
April 15, 2024Canada PostApril 5, 2024MINI TIPI
April 8, 2024CFDC of CFINTBDMitacs
March 25, 2024CIRATBDMNP
March 28, 2024EDCMarch 20, 2024NACCA
March 20, 2024FuturpreneurTBDShopify
April 12, 2024ITACTBDTikTok
TBDIndigenous Prosperity FoundationTBDRaven Indigenous Capital Partners
April 4, 2024IndigProTBDNorthforge
April 5, 2024Invest OttawaMarch 27, 2024RBC
April 10, 2024JEDI

PODCAST

The Co-Presenting partners of Pow Wow Pitch are entitled to have a Podcast advertisement at the top of the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast. Podcast ads need to be no longer than 15-30 seconds in length. Partners can provide .MP3 or .WAV audio files no later than January 15th or have Pow Wow Pitch draft a script for your approval and have Sunshine Tenasco record the advertisement(s). New podcasts drop every three weekes, starting March 13th, with 18 episodes.

PART 3 - PROGRAMMING

This Year, Pow Wow Pitch will release 11 Virtual Semi-Finals and 6 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.

CategoryJudge Orientation / Tech ChecksRecording DateRelease Date Judges
Not-for-profitJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 6, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ETSept 3Co-Presenting
Tourism & StartupJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 6, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ETSept 4Co-Presenting + ITAC
Knowledge ServicesJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 7, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ETSept 5Co-Presenting
Consumer Products & RetailJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 7, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ETSept 6Co-Presenting
Health & Wellness and Startup InnovationJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 8, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ETSept 9Co-Presenting
Professional Services & TradesJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 8, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ETSept 10Co-Presenting
Food & DrinkJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 9, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ETSept 11Co-Presenting
CreativeJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 9, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ETSept 12Co-Presenting
Youth and Startup IdeasJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 12, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ETSept 13Co-Presenting + Best Buy
TechJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 12, 2:30 - 5:00 PM ETSept 16Co-Presenting
FashionJuly 17 (1:30 - 3PM ET) or
July 18 (12:00 - 1:30PM ET)
Aug 13, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ETSept 17Co-Presenting + Aritzia
Grand FinaleSeptember 25Oct 3, 11:00 - 5:00 PM ETOct 23 - 6:00 PM ETCo-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 (Tentative)EventLocationNotes
    May 18, 2024Manito AhbeeWinnipeg, ManitobaFull event
    June 22, 2024Summer Solstice Indigenous FestivalOttawa, OntarioFull event
    Jun 28 & 29, 2024Kamloopa PowwowKamloops, British ColumbiaFull event
    July 27, 2024Tobique PowwowTobique, New BrunswickFull event
    November 5, 2024Mana UpHonolulu, Hawaii, USAFull event
    TBDCalgary Stampeed PowwowCalgary, AlbertaFull event
    TBDSanta Fe Indian MarketSanta Fe, New Mexico, USAUnknown

    3.6.    INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS

    The following organizations sponsor the Indigenous entrepreneur Awards: RBC, Shopify, Mastercard, 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 TimelineEvent
    April 3Launch
    June 5Application deadline
    Jul 18Submit award winners to sponsors
    Jul 25Sponsor deadline to select entrepreneurs they wish to present awards to
    Aug 14 - 20Sponsor presentation recordings
    Sept 30Submit sponsor video ad
    Nov 13Digital gala airing

    PART 4 - OTHER ENTITLEMENTS

    4.1.     POW WOW PITCH BOX

    As part of your sponsorship agreement, you may receive additional Pow Wow Pitch Boxes to be sent to your preferred recipients. To arrange the delivery, kindly provide the following details:

    Full Name Complete Mailing AddressEmailNumber of BoxesPhone Number

    Please send this information to Naomi@powwowpitch.org by September 15, 2024.
    If you haven't secured additional Pow Wow Pitch Boxes but are interested, please inform Naomi promptly as we have limited quantities. Each box costs $220 + 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