CIRA, the nonprofit organization behind Canada’s trusted internet infrastructure, continues its involvement with Pow Wow Pitch. As Canada’s official .CA registry, CIRA provides Pow Wow Pitch participants with access to complimentary .CA domains for their businesses, supported by their partner, Web Hosting Canada. This partnership supports Indigenous entrepreneurs in establishing and strengthening their online presence.

In 2026, CIRA and Pow Wow Pitch will continue collaborating on spotlight stories featuring Indigenous entrepreneurs who have participated in Pow Wow Pitch programming and launched or expanded their businesses using a .CA domain. These stories highlight real examples of digital growth and visibility across Turtle Island.

CIRA employees will also remain engaged as mentors and judges for Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs, contributing their expertise in digital strategy and brand development.

Spencer Callaghan, Director of Brand and Communications at CIRA, shared, “Supporting Indigenous businesses and communities is essential to building a strong and diversified economic future in Canada. As a longtime partner of Pow Wow Pitch, CIRA has seen firsthand the creativity, innovation and leadership Indigenous entrepreneurs bring to Canada’s business landscape. We’re proud to continue this partnership by providing trusted Canadian digital resources like .CA domains that help entrepreneurs build their online presence while keeping their digital identity rooted in Canada.”

Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch, added, “CIRA’s continued partnership helps strengthen the digital pathways that Indigenous entrepreneurs across our community rely on to grow and thrive. When Indigenous entrepreneurs have access to trusted online platforms, it supports not only individual businesses, but a thriving Indigenous business landscape built on collaboration, connection, and shared opportunity.”

Through this continued collaboration, Pow Wow Pitch and CIRA are working to ensure Indigenous entrepreneurs have access to the digital infrastructure and visibility needed to build sustainable online businesses. Together, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada’s digital economy.

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.

About CIRA

CIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA represents Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.

For more information, visit cira.ca.

The post CIRA and Pow Wow Pitch continue partnership in 2026, supporting digital access for Indigenous entrepreneurs appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

CIRA, the not-for-profit behind building a trusted internet in Canada, is proud to continue its support for Pow Wow Pitch as a Seed Partner, reaffirming its commitment to fostering Indigenous entrepreneurship. As Canada’s official .CA registry, CIRA will provide participants with a complimentary .CA domain for their business, supported by their partner, Web Hosting Canada. This initiative aims to break down barriers and empower Indigenous entrepreneurs to launch and expand their online ventures.

CIRA and Pow Wow Pitch will also collaborate this year to produce spotlight stories on Indigenous entrepreneurs who have gone through Pow Wow Pitch’s programming and leveraged a .CA domain from CIRA. This storytelling initiative aims to celebrate and inspire more entrepreneurs to use tools available to them and help grow their businesses.

In addition to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs launching their online presence, CIRA will continue to actively engage its employees as mentors and judges for Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs, both virtually and in-person at powwows across Canada.

Spencer Callaghan, Director of Brand and Communications at CIRA, shared excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Indigenous entrepreneurs represent one of the fastest-growing segments of Canada’s economy. That’s why CIRA is proud to continue our longtime partnership with Pow Wow Pitch, reflecting our unwavering support for Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada. We believe championing emerging Indigenous businesses helps enable a stronger Canada—one where the businesses we interact with everyday, reflect the society that we live in.”

Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “We’re excited to extend our partnership with CIRA for another year, highlighting the stories of Indigenous entrepreneurs and empowering them with valuable resources like .CA domains to strengthen their digital presence and grow their businesses.”

By partnering with Pow Wow Pitch, CIRA is helping to expand access to essential resources for Indigenous entrepreneurs, providing them with the foundational tools needed to build and grow their online presence and reach. This collaboration serves as a powerful example of how not-for-profit organizations can actively work together to support Indigenous entrepreneurship and drive meaningful, lasting impact.

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.

About CIRA

CIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA represents Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.

For more information, visit cira.ca.

The post CIRA and Pow Wow Pitch renew partnership to boost Indigenous businesses in the digital space appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.

On May 29th, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced the renewing of its partnership with CIRA, Canada’s official .CA registry, to continue uplifting Indigenous entrepreneurs through online start-ups. 

Set to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2023 with mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support, CIRA’s investment is helping Pow Wow Pitch to scale its virtual programs, re-enter communities with on-the-ground support across Canada and scale its programming to support Indigenous entrepreneurs. 

This year, CIRA will continue to support Pow Wow Pitch as a Seed-Level Sponsor and engage its employees as mentors and judges for Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs virtually and on the ground at pow wows across Canada. The partnership will focus on sharing the stories of Indigenous entrepreneurs and providing Indigenous entrepreneurs that participate in the Pow Wow Pitch community with a free .CA domain for their business with the support of their partner, Web Hosting Canada. 

Pow Wow Pitch will endeavor to launch an Indigenous Entrepreneurs Toolkit featuring .CAs and an upcoming series of CIRA Indigenous stock photos. This project is set to launch in the fall of 2023.

“We are thrilled to be extending our alliance with CIRA into another year, bringing to light the narratives of Indigenous entrepreneurs and bolstering their efforts by providing complimentary .CA domains to launch their online business pursuits,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “CIRA echoes our admiration for Indigenous entrepreneurs and their ventures and we can’t wait to see where this partnership will take Pow Wow Pitch community members this year!”

“Indigenous entrepreneurs are among the most dynamic and creative in Canada. They are breaking down barriers, supporting their communities and making an impact,” said Spencer Callaghan, Director, Brand and Communications, CIRA. “CIRA is thrilled to continue our partnership with the Pow Wow Pitch community and champion their successes.”

The post CIRA Continues Partnership to Support Online Start-Up for Indigenous Entrepreneurs appeared first on Pow Wow Pitch.