PITCH TO WIN
OPENING APRIL 1, 2026
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, hundreds of Indigenous entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses online and in person for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000, with a total of $100,000 in cash prizes to give away!
Your Pow Wow Pitch journey begins with a 1-Minute Pitch.
Just by submitting a pitch, you gain access to amazing opportunities!
WIN MONEY - Win cash prizes from $500 to $25,000 CAD.
GET NOTICED - Gain exposure, followers, press and more customers to grow faster.
SELL STUFF - Become eligible for the Pow Wow Pitch Box Program, where we buy and distribute up to 250 units of your products or services.
ACCESS MENTORS & LEARNING - Get access to industry-leading mentors and experts, attend business accelerator bootcamps, and access free resources, templates and advisors.
START-UP ONLINE FREE - Get a free .CA domain for your business.
FRIENDSHIPS & COMMUNITY FOR LIFE - Join a community of Indigenous innovators, makers, artists and builders cheering each other on and making a difference in their community.
BECOME AN ALUMNI - Join our Alumni Network to be eligible to have your products featured in Powwowmarket.ca and the Pow Wow Pitch Box and to contribute to initiatives that support the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
PITCH TO WIN
$100,000 IN PRIZES!
VIRTUAL PITCH PRIZES
$25,000 - GRAND PRIZE WINNER
$10,000 - 2ND PLACE
$5,000 - 3RD PLACE
$5,000 - ALUMNI CHOICE
$1,000 - PEOPLE'S CHOICE
$1,000 - INDUSTRY SEMI-FINAL WINNERS
IN-PERSON PITCH PRIZES
$5,000 - 1ST PLACE
$2,500 - 2ND PLACE
$1,000 - 3RD PLACE
$500 - YOUTH PRIZE
$500 - FAN FAVOURITE
Critieria & Scoring
PRESENTATION
Have you clearly communicated your product/service, value proposition and a pathway to sustainability and success?
EXECUTION
Have you convinced the judges you will follow through on your business goals?
MOTIVATION
Have you clearly communicated how you will use the money to start or take that next step?
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Have you outlined how your initiative has created or will create a positive impact on your community?
Who qualifies?
Indigenous people living anywhere on Turtle Island (Canada or the United States) of any age or gender with an idea or business at any stage and in any industry.
VIRTUAL PITCH TIMELINE
Times are subject to change without notice.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
POW WOW PITCH BOOTCAMPS
SEMI FINALIST RESULTS
SEMI-FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT
SEMI-FINALIST ORIENTATION ON ZOOM
SEMI-FINALIST MENTORSHIP
July 20-31
SEMI-FINAL PITCH WEEK
August 4 - 13
SEMI-FINAL EPISODE DROPS
August 31 - September 9
PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING DEADLINE
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
FINALIST BOOTCAMP
FINALIST MENTORSHIP
GRAND FINALE SHOW RECORDING
GRAND FINALE WATCH PARTY
What to include in your 1-minute pitch
Introduce yourself and where you are from.
Tell us the name of your business and what you want to sell or already sell.
Tell us how you would use $25,000 to take your idea or business to the next level.
BONUS: Tell us why you want to do this? Who is part of your team? Your traction to date? Your vision for the future?
Watch the 2021 Winning Pitch and 2nd Place Pitch for inspiration.
Pitch Rules & Guidelines
For full details, please review our complete Pitch Competition Community Guidelines here.
Can I participate in both in-person and virtual Pow Wow Pitch events?
Yes. Participating in in-person Pow Wow Pitch events does not disqualify you from the virtual competition and may give you additional chances to earn a Golden Ticket to the virtual Grand Finale.
What can I use during my pitch?
You may use scripts, notes, flash cards, or other written visual aids to support your pitch. Memorization is not required. Slides, screen sharing, videos, and other audiovisual aids are not permitted.
Can I use props or displays during my pitch?
Yes. Props or products may be used as long as they fit within the one (1) minute pitch, remain hand-held or easy to display, and do not interfere with recording technology.
Who is allowed to present the pitch?
The pitch must be delivered by the founder, co-founder, owner, or co-owner of the business. The presenter must be Indigenous.
Can I have someone pitch on my behalf?
No. The pitch must be presented by someone who holds an ownership role in the business and meets eligibility requirements.
Can I use a PowerPoint presentation?
No. For Pow Wow Pitch, we are more interested in getting to know you as an entrepreneur. You can follow a script, but we want to get to know the real you.
FAQ
Can I submit more than one business or idea?
Yes, you can pitch as many businesses or ideas as you like; however, only one can make it through to the semi-finals.
Can I pitch my idea even if I have not yet started a business?
Yes, you can pitch an idea even if you haven’t started. It would be best if you took extra effort to convince the judges that you have every intention to follow through in your pitch.
Can I pitch a business that I have been running for a while?
Absolutely. It would be best if you took extra effort to share how far you have come and how you will use the funds to take your business to the next level in your pitch.
What type of business can I submit?
You can submit an idea, business, nonprofit, social enterprise, sole proprietorship, cooperative or any other form of business activity.
What if I don’t have a website or online presence?
That is no problem. As part of the Pow Wow Pitch, we will provide you with free tools and training to get your business online.
What is the mentorship part of the Pow Wow Pitch?
All semi-finalists will be paired with a mentor for a 1-hour session. During your session, you will present your 1-minute pitch to your mentor, and they will give you feedback to help you prepare for your pitch. Mentors are volunteers who are passionate about supporting you and your business to succeed.
What information should I include in my one-minute pitch?
Here are some ideas on what to include in your pitch.
- Introduce yourself and the name of your business.
- Please tell us where you live and what Indigenous community you are part of.
- Tell us why you started your business and the problem your business looks to solve.
- Tell us how far you have taken your business and your vision for the future.
- Tell us about yourself, your team, and why you are the one to take the business forward.
- Please tell us what you would spend the prize money on.
- Tell us why you should win the Pow Wow Pitch and what impact you win will have on the community.
What if I don’t have a business name?
It’s okay not to have a business name; however, you will need to pick a name (even if it’s temporary) to participate in Pow Wow Pitch.
What can I use the funding for?
The cash prizes are non-repayable. You can spend them in anyway you like to support your business goals.
If I have pitched before, can I pitch again this year?
Absolutely. If you had pitched before and did not win one of the top three prizes, you are welcome to pitch again. However, even if you won a top-three prize, you are welcome to pitch a different idea or business.
What do you mean by Indigenous?
To compete in the Pow Wow Pitch, you must belong to an Indigenous community as an Inuit, Métis or First Nations person.