Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah is RRC Polytech’s new Indigenous entrepreneurship acceleration and incubator initiative that is the first of its kind to cultivate a space in Winnipeg for technology, collaboration, and community. Mittohnee helps Indigenous students start their own businesses as they graduate out of RRC Polytech’s entrepreneurship-based Social Innovation and Community Development program. It does so by connecting them with a network of resources and expertise focused on process, people, and leveraging existing capacity.

As the local presenting partner of the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch, Mittohnee will present the 1st Place Prize of $5,000 to the winning entrepreneur, engage as a final round judge, and provide community mentors to help entrepreneurs refine their pitch.

“This partnership between Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah and Pow Wow Pitch marks a full circle moment for me as both a proud alumna and long-time supporter of Pow Wow Pitch,” said Amy Jackson, Director of Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah. “Pow Wow Pitch’s mission to uplift and champion Indigenous entrepreneurs deeply aligns with Mittohnee’s vision to create space, support, and opportunity for our people to thrive through innovation and business. Together, we’re not just accelerating ideas—we’re building a future grounded in culture, community, and economic empowerment.”

“Collaboration is key to expanding support for Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “We’re excited to be partnering with Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, led by Pow Wow Pitch alumna Amy Jackson—an inspiring champion for community and Indigenous entrepreneurship. Together, we are strengthening our impact across Manitoba by combining our efforts to provide meaningful support, mentorship, and opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous business leaders.”

By working together, Pow Wow Pitch and Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah are forging a path for Indigenous entrepreneurs to start, excel, and accomplish more for our communities.

About Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and funding early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island, with the co-presenting support of Mastercard and RBC. Our vision is to create a world where Indigenous entrepreneurs thrive, feeling supported, safe, and encouraged to develop their ideas and build businesses that create a positive cycle of growth. With a mission to provide resources and mentorship, we empower Indigenous entrepreneurs while amplifying their stories to inspire future generations and foster a more inclusive world.

For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.

The post Pow Wow Pitch partners with RRC Polytech Mittohnee Pago’ohtah to support and empower Manitoba’s Indigenous entrepreneurs appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On May 21, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta and Mastercard, announced Erica Daniels, the Cree/Ojibway Owner and Founder of Kejic Productions, as the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Manito Ahbee Winner and one of two Fan Favourite Prize Winners. Erica has won $5,500 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.

More than 40 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. 

Following a first round open pitch, judges Destiny Lynn Seymour, Founder of Indigo Arrows, Debbie Read, Indigenous Policy Lead at Meta, Monica James, Regional Manager of Client Diversity and Indigenous Entrepreneurs at BDC, and Holly Courchene, Manitoba Regional Coordinator at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, shortlisted the Top 10 entrepreneurs, who were then matched with mentors from Futurpreneur, RBC, ITAC and North Forge to prepare for their final pitch. 

The Top 10 entrepreneurs then pitched on the APTN Ignite Your Spirit Stage competing for the top prizes. While Judges deliberated, Jordan Knight and Davey Gott, Hosts of NCI FM, Manitoba’s Indigenous Radio Station, joined to rally the crowd to select two Fan Favourites.

“It was so exciting to see so many people pitching and to see our community really thriving,” said First-Place Winner Erica Daniels. “This is my third time pitching, so I just want to encourage everyone not to give up to thank our community for all the support they give us.”

Erica’s business, Kejic Productions, is a Winnipeg-based company that creates, develops and produces films and community and corporate videos, provides event photography and marketing services, and supports Indigenous youth with on-the-job training. 

Erica hopes to win the Grand Prize to expand her production company. 

“Winning the $25,000 would help us purchase more equipment, move into a larger production studio to produce our films in-house and provide more employment opportunities to emerging Indigenous filmmakers,” said Erica. 

The Second-Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Amy Jackson, Founder and CEO of Nativelovenotes and the Third-Place Winner of $1,000, also winning the second Fan Favourite $500 prize, was Shaun Rayland-Boubar, Founder of Red Rebel Armour. Amy, Shaun and all those who pitched in Winnipeg are still in the running for the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch and will find out in July if they advance to the Semi-Finals.

“Congratulations to Erica on her Gold Ticket win to advance to the 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Kejic Productions is an incredible business leading by example. We look forward to spotlighting and sharing Erica’s business with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing together.” 

“Pow Wow Pitch is a tremendous showcase of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship, and the stories and achievements of this year’s pitchers are a testament to their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Dale Sturges, National Director for Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “We’re so proud of all of our participants and winners, and we will continue to support their growth and success in the future.”

Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada and the United States are invited to submit their 1-minute pitch to qualify for Pow Wow Pitch before June 21, 2022, at powwowpitch.org/pitch to win $200,000 in prizes from $500 to $25,000. 

The post Erica Daniels, Kejic Productions, wins Manito Ahbee Semi-Final appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced a partnership with Amy Jackson, Founder of Nativelovenotes, for its 2022 Program. 

Amy Jackson is an entrepreneur from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. Amy participated in Pow Wow Pitch in 2021, and Nativelovenotes quickly became a fan favourite across Turtle Island. Nativelovenotes is a brand, e-commerce and soon-to-be retail business that sells stationery, apparel and jewelry featuring Amy’s fun and unique designs with poignant messaging. 

As part of the partnership, every Monday morning on its Instagram, Pow Wow Pitch will share Nativelovenotes digital art and empowering messages to motivate Indigenous entrepreneurs to take action on their ideas in their own way. 

Amy Jackson will also host Pow Wow InstaPitch LIVE events every second Thursday evening starting April 14, 2022, at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET / 8 PM ET on Pow Wow Pitch’s Instagram, inviting Indigenous entrepreneurs to hop on and pitch their ideas and businesses to gain feedback, followers and to win cash prizes. Indigenous entrepreneurs can sign up to pitch at www.powwowpitch.org/instapitch, and everyone can watch live and vote for their favourite pitch to win.

“I am so excited to be the Host of Pow Wow InstaPitch and showcase my designs as part of Pow Wow Pitch’s Motivation Mondays series,” said Amy Jackson, Founder of Nativelovenotes. “I made some wonderful friends and gained invaluable knowledge about entrepreneurship when I participated in Pow Wow Pitch last year. I hope this partnership will inspire and empower people to take action on their ideas.”

“Amy is a force in Indigenous design and business through Nativelovenotes, bringing real Auntie vibes, fun and confidence to everything she does,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We want every Indigenous person to feel confident in sharing their ideas, hopes and dreams knowing that others will support their vision. That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Amy and Nativelovenotes to support those starting up so we can all rise and thrive together.”

To learn more about the partnership between Pow Wow Pitch and Nativelovenotes, visit www.powwowpitch.org/InstaPitch.

The post Amy Jackson, Nativelovenotes Partners with Pow Wow Pitch appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.