2026 Semi Finalist Support
Congratulations on being selected as a Semi Finalist for the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch Competition! This webpage is designed to provide you with everything you need to know to have a successful pitching experience as a Semi Finalist.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SEMI-FINALIST?
You have been selected as a Semi-Finalist of the 2026 Pow Wow Pitch. That means you were chosen as one of the top entrepreneurs out of more than hundreds of pitches. You are a role model and inspiration to your community. This is your platform to shine and grow with a community!
As a Semi-Finalist, our goal is to help you to shine. We have created an excellent platform for you, and it is up to you to use it and make it happen. All Semi-Finalists are required to:
- Confirm your participation using the Form the Pow Wow Pitch team sends you via email.
- Attend a virtual Semi-Finalist Orientation on July 7 at 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Mentorship: meet with 2-3 mentors who will help you polish your pitch for the Semi-Finals (takes 2-3 hours at a mutually convenient time with your mentor).
- Tech Check: if you need additional support in ensuring your video and microphone are good to go for your pitch, we encourage you to book a 15-minute tech check with our team between July 8-29.
- Participate in the Semi-Final Pitch, August 4 - 13. Dates and times are non-interchangeable.
- People's Choice Voting July 13 - September 10. Details will be released soon. In addition to the Semi-Final Pitch, this is another way to win $1,000 and advance to the Grand Finale for a chance to win the $25K Prize.
- Semi-Final Episode Releases and Announcements, August 31 - September 9. We will announce the winners of the Semi-Finals, who each win $1,000 and advance to the Grand Finale with special access to a Finalist Bootcamp and tons of bespoke support from our partners with 1-1 feedback on your pitch by an expert.
SEMI-FINAL RECORDING DATES
*All times are provided in Eastern Time (Toronto), please be aware of the recording time for your time zone
August 4, 2026:
11:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m. ET: Not-for-Profit
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Tourism
August 5, 2026:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET: Knowledge Services
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Consumer Products & Retail
August 6, 2026:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET: Health & Wellness
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Sustainability
August 11, 2026:
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Professional Services & Trades
August 12, 2026:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET: Food & Drink
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Creative
August 13, 2026:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET: Youth
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Startup
August 14, 2026:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET: Technology
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Fashion
October 1, 2026:
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET: Grand Finale
PITCH TIMELINE
Times are subject to change without notice.
SEMI-FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT
ORIENTATION
TECH CHECK
July 8 - 29
MENTOR MATCH
July 13
MENTORSHIP
July 20 - 31
PITCH WEEK
August 4 - 13
EPISODE RELEASES
August 31 - September 9
PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING DEADLINE
September 10
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
FINALIST BOOTCAMP & MENTORSHIP
GRAND FINALE SHOW FILMING
GRAND FINALE WATCH PARTY
SEMI-FINALIST SUPPORT
As a Semi-Finalist, if you have any questions or concerns, our team would be very happy to support you. Please email us at hello@powwowpitch.org. Please include SEMI-FINALIST in your subject line to ensure your email receives priority. Please expect responses within 2 business days Monday to Thursday.
SHARE THE NEWS
We invite you to spread the news and make some noise about your selection as a Semi-Finalist. Feel free to use the post below for inspiration, download the graphics kit, and make the template announcement your own. Also, reach out to your local media to let them know you did it! This is big news!
I am so proud to be a 2026 Semi-Finalist for Pow Wow Pitch! This fall I will be pitching to win $25K to take my business to the next level ❤️ Check out this year’s Semi-Finalists https://www.powwowpitch.org/semi-finalists/
PEOPLE’S CHOICE PRIZE
Opening on July 13, Semi-Finalists will have another opportunity to land themselves in the Finale by being voted a public favourite with the People’s Choice Prize. The Winner of the People’s Choice Prize wins $1,000 and advances to the Grand Finale. There is only one vote per person and duplicates will be deleted. Make sure to have your family, friends, and community submit their votes by midnight on September 10.
HOW THE SEMI-FINAL PITCH WORKS
For the Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Final, you will have one minute to pitch to a panel of judges. Your judges will be announced very soon. They will also be able to ask you questions for two additional minutes. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time with the judges.
Answer the questions as concisely as possible to get through as many questions as possible.
Powerpoint presentations are not possible; the Judges want to see and hear from you.
You are welcome to display products, branding or demos in the background.
If you are pitching with a co-founder, you must remain within your 1-minute pitch time.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
PRESENTATION
Have you clearly communicated your product/service, value proposition and a pathway to sustainability and success?
EXECUTION
Have you convinced the judges that you will follow through on their business goals?
MOTIVATION
Have you clearly communicated how you will use the money to start or take that next step?
COMMUNITY UPLIFT
Have you uplifted or have plans to uplift you community as part of your business model and mandate?
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
All Pitchers (Participants) are encouraged to connect with the Pow Wow Pitch team to ensure their video, audio and Internet quality are good to go before participating in the Pitch. To ensure consistency and avoid technical issues, we ask participants to set up in advance (computer equipment and internet connection at the location they will be pitching) and ensure that the technical setup will remain the same setup for use on the day of your Pitch. Changing the setup may result in unexpected technical problems.
Step 1: Setup YOUR TECHNOLOGY IN ADVANCE
Desktop computer or laptop
Desktop computer or laptop with a charged battery plugged into a power outlet (personal computers on personal networks work best, as sometimes highly secure office computers and networks may have firewalls that prohibit proper Internet connection. Do not use a mobile device.
Webcam
Webcam (clean the lens to ensure no fingerprints).
USB microphone
USB microphone with earbuds or a USB headset with an attached microphone.
Wired internet connection
Wired Internet connection (do not use WiFi as wireless is not reliable). A participant's recording will reside online into the foreseeable future. Participants need to ensure the brands they represent will be presented in the highest quality possible. A dedicated wired connection to the internet ensures you will not have poor video or audio quality or dropouts.
IMPORTANT: It is imperative participants use a reliable internet connection as re-recording, editing or re-scheduling at a later date will not be possible.
Location
Quiet, indoor location free from clutter, people, pets or copyrighted materials, i.e. art in the background.
Lighting
Well-lit space. Turn on all lights and open window blinds. Position yourself in front of light sources, avoid major key light sources coming from behind.
STEP 2: Technical call and orientation
Technical call with Pow Wow Pitch Team
All Participants are encouraged to conduct a brief video call with the Pow Wow Pitch team to ensure proper setup prior to any recording sessions. During this call, participants will be asked by the Pow Wow Pitch team to turn on their audio and video to ensure correct functionality.
Call-in Link
- Open the invite email with the Zoom Call URL link. Click on the Zoom URL link.
- It is a better experiance if you download the Zoom app onto your computer here.
- When you click on the Zoom invite link you will be able to open the meeting in the Zoom application.
- Depending if you already have a Zoom account you may be able to enter your name and join.
- If prompted by a pop up please click ‘Allow’ so that the Zoom and/or the Internet browser can access the camera and microphone.
- If connection is successful you will enter the lobby and be greeted by the Pow Wow Pitch Team.
NOTE: We strongly recommend to download and install the Zoom application before you join the meeting.
PROFESSIONAL TIPS
Easy yet powerful tips to keep in mind
In some cases session clips may end up in television broadcasts or other professional outlets. Here are some simple DIY tips to ensure your recording remains professional.
TIP 1: It is not flattering to look up someone's nose. Notice that on a desktop computer your webcam is located on top of your monitor and is already close to your eye-level height. If you are using a laptop, elevate your laptop and webcam position so that the lens is at eye-level (avoid upward/downward angles with your webcam). You may have to use a tall stack of books to achieve this.
TIP 2: Come close enough to the webcam so that the top of your head touches the top of your webcam video. Do not sit far away from your camera. Stay centred and in the middle of your webcam video. Pay attention to your body posture and avoid slouching or leaning off to either side.
TIP 3: Speak clearly and project your voice. Business casual wardrobe is recommended.
FAQ
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.
We strongly encourage you to use this opportunity to get your business online and grow your social following. On behalf of our partners at CIRA, we are happy to provide you with a free .ca domain name for your business. Click here to claim your free .ca domain.
What is the mentorship part of the Pow Wow Pitch?
All semi-finalists will be paired with two to three mentors for a 1-hour session. During your sessions, 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 are the industry categories?
The Pow Wow Pitch industry categories are specially defined by Indigenous entrepreneurship. Categories are subject to change each year to best fit the entrepreneurs. See the full descriptions here.
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 money on.
- Tell us why you should win the Pow Wow Pitch and what impact your win will have on the community.
- Click here to view criteria and scoring to ensure you hit key points in your pitch.
Can I have someone pitch on my behalf?
No, Pow Wow Pitch is all about hearing directly from you - the entrepreneur. Your passion, vision, and voice are what bring your business to life. We want to get to know you and your story, so all pitches must be delivered by the applicant themselves.
However, if you have accessibility requirements that may impact your ability to pitch, please contact our team at hello@powwowpitch.org - we're here to support you.
Can I use props or displays during my pitch?
Absolutely! You can show us your products or services, have products or banners set up in your background, wear or display your logo using your webcam, and more. However, please note that you cannot share your screen or use a presentation slide deck to show your products or services.
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.
How many prizes are there and how much funding is available?
Prizes up for grab through the virtual competition in CAD:
- Grand Prize of $25,000
- 2nd Place Prize of $10,000
- 3rd Place Prize of $5,000
- Alumni Choice Prize of $5,000
- Semi-Finals Prizes of $1,000 per industry, including a People's Choice prize
Can I use a PowerPoint presentation?
No. For Pow Wow Pitch, we are more interested in getting to know you as an entrepreneur through verbal communication. You can follow a script, but we want to get to know the real you, what drives your business, and how winning can help propel your success.
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.
What do you mean by Indigenous?
To compete in the Pow Wow Pitch, you must be First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or Native American. We do not require proof of Indigeneity upfront in the application processs but in certain cases, we may request documentation to confirm eligibility.
Who can I reach out to if I'm feeling overwhelmed or need support?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need support, Pow Wow Pitch participants can reach out to our team at hello@powwowpitch.org. You can also explore a range of wellness resources for additional support.