Calling all Indigenous entrepreneurs in New Brunswick, register to win cash prizes for your business!
Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that empowers and supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, training and support, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard Canada, announced its new partnership with Tobique Powwow, and local partners Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and Wabanki Maple, to put the spotlight on Indigenous entrepreneurs in Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, on July 27, 2024.
The 20th Annual Tobique Powwow is taking place July 27-28, 2024 in the traditional Neqotuk Territory in Tobique First Nation, to celebrate and honour the community’s vibrant Indigenous culture through dancing and singing.
Tobique First Nation is hosting Pow Wow Pitch for the first time ever to celebrate and give prominence to Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, creators, and innovators of New Brunswick. Vendors and attendees will have the opportunity to pitch to win $10,000 in cash prizes to take their ideas and businesses to the next level.
The Tobique Pow Wow Pitch is co-presented locally with the Joint Economic Development Initiative and Wabanaki Maple, their partnership enables $10,000 in cash prizes and on-site mentoring, judging, and ongoing support for participants.
How It Works
To enter, vendors, attendees and entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited audition spots here: powwowpitch.org/tobique, with a few spots reserved on the lottery for those who just turn up and want to pitch. To audition, entrepreneurs will have 1-minute to Pitch their ideas or businesses for a chance to win!
The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors before pitching to the judges and the Tobique community. Prizes include $5,000 for 1st Place, $2,500 for 2nd Place, $1,000 for 3rd Place, $500 for the Youth Prize, and $500 for the Fan Favourite. In addition, the 1st Place Winner will also get a Golden Ticket to the Turtle Island Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Pow Wow Pitch and hold the first Tobique Pow Wow Pitch Competition, aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs in New Brunswick,” said Julien Moulton, Band Councilor, Committee Lead for the Tobique Powwow. “This Indigenous Business Pitch competition offers New Brunswick’s Indigenous entrepreneurs the chance to secure cash prizes for their start-up or existing ventures, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Turtle Island Pow Wow Pitch Competition for national exposure. These strategic partnerships, focused on bolstering Indigenous representation within New Brunswick’s economy, pave the path towards genuine economic reconciliation.”
“We are honoured to bring Pow Wow Pitch back to New Brunswick,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are so proud to continue growing our impact with First Nation communities in support of celebrating incredibly talented Indigenous entrepreneurs of New Brunswick. This is the first time we have been welcomed into Tobique First Nation, and we are so excited to meet the community members and to hear their business ideas! We are truly grateful to be welcomed by the powwow organizers and our local presenting partners, JEDI and Wabanaki Maple. Together, we’re championing Indigenous innovation and resilience.”
All Indigenous entrepreneurs that pitch will also be automatically entered into the Turtle Island (North American) Pow Wow Pitch competition and will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community. All pitchers will get access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, have the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box and on Powwowmarket.ca, will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA, and a 60-day free Shopify Trial.
Visit powwowpitch.org/tobique to learn more and to pre-register to pitch.