Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced the expansion of its collaboration with RBC over the next two years.

Set to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2022 with mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support, RBC’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 in the United States and New Zealand.

“RBC has supported Pow Wow Pitch since our beginnings and every step of the way as we have pivoted with the pandemic and scaled our programs,” said Sunshine Tenasco, the Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “RBC and its employees share our vision for Indigenous empowerment through entrepreneurship. We are honoured to work together to showcase, celebrate and champion Indigenous entrepreneurs to start up and build businesses in their own way.”

In addition to supporting Pow Wow Pitch with two years of sponsorship support, RBC employees are also involved as mentors, trusted advisors, and judges for Pow Wow Pitch virtual pitch contests and on the ground in Winnipeg, Ottawa and Kamloops. 

“RBC is proud to scale our support for Pow Wow Pitch as we continue to advance our shared goal of empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “There are countless Indigenous trailblazers and innovators who are leading the way to a more inclusive and equitable economy, and who are ready to take their business to the next level. We’re excited to uncover more of these inspiring stories and to support their journeys with mentorship, micro startup funds and exposure over the next two years.”

To learn more about the collaboration between Pow Wow Pitch and RBC, visit www.powwowpitch.org/rbc.

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About Pow Wow Pitch 

Pow Wow Pitch is an entrepreneurship program for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, which provides a safe, supportive, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances, develops and accelerates the growth for current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way through programs and resources. In addition, community leadership through volunteerism is promoted to reflect respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch. For more information, visit www.powwowpitch.org.

About RBC Indigenous Financial Services Group

For more than 100 years, RBC has been building strong relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. We are committed to serving Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, businesses and individuals by creating opportunities for sustainable economic development through access to banking and capital, community and social development, employment, education and training and procurement. RBC also provides donations and grants that support Indigenous interests. More information is available at rbcroyalbank.com/indigenous.

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Today, Pow Wow Pitch, a grassroots initiative by and for Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced the opening of applications and nominations for the 2022 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards to celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement of Indigenous entrepreneurship. 

Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous-owned businesses across Canada and the United States can apply or nominate others for their entrepreneurial perseverance, growth, impact, and example.

“As Indigenous entrepreneurs drive the growth of the Indigenous economy and use entrepreneurship to heal our people and communities, celebrate our diverse cultures, and leave good footprints for future generations to follow, these Awards recognize them as the leaders they are,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “The Awards are our opportunity to honour the wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth of the entrepreneurial icons of our generation, express our gratitude and create a platform to tell their stories of resilience and reconciliation through entrepreneurship.”

The Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards are presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta, and Mastercard, with the support of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and Export Development Canada.

“Indigenous entrepreneurs are a powerful and fast-growing force in our country’s economy,” said Dale Sturges, National Director for Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “Their contributions are strengthening communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and their innovation and resilience shines through each year in the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards. It’s an honour for RBC to support this year’s awards as we do our part to celebrate Indigenous innovations and share their inspiring entrepreneurial stories with Canadians at large.”

“Shopify aims to bring more voices to entrepreneurship, and Pow Wow Pitch allows Indigenous entrepreneurs from all stages and intersections to share their dreams, beliefs, culture, and expressions of economic self-determination,” said  Kyle St-Amour-Brennan, Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program Manager at Shopify. “Pow Wow Pitch has built one of the greatest Indigenous entrepreneurial showcases anywhere, and we’re privileged and excited to continue our ongoing partnership and shared mission to empower more Native entrepreneurs from communities everywhere.”  

“Indigenous entrepreneurs drive innovation and change in their communities and across Canada,” said Garrick Tiplady, VP and Country Director at Meta in Canada, “We are proud to continue supporting Pow Wow Pitch and their incredible community of entrepreneurs through educational resources and funding.”

“At Mastercard, we are committed to fostering an inclusive economy that benefits everyone, including the Indigenous community,” said Sasha Krstic, president of Mastercard in Canada. “We recognize that Indigenous entrepreneurs face disproportionate barriers and, in partnership with Pow Wow Pitch, we are proud to address some of their unique barriers and challenges to help amplify the success of Indigenous entrepreneurs across the country.”

Applicants and nominees must reside on Turtle Island (Canada or the United States) and be Inuit, Métis, or First Nations. They may be an entrepreneur running any business in any industry, so long as they have been operating for a minimum of three years.

Applications and nominations close on June 21, 2022. Winners will be announced and celebrated during a digitally broadcast awards presentation on November 3, 2022.

In addition to the title, Winners receive a unique hand-crafted silver pin by Sapling & Flint, and a plaque encased with a limited edition signed print of ‘Red Rising,’ a beautiful art piece created by award-winning Indigenous artist Patrick Hunter.

For more information, to apply or nominate, visit: www.powwowpitch.org/awards/. 

To book an interview with Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenasco, or for more information, please contact hello@powwowpitch.org.

About Pow Wow Pitch 

Pow Wow Pitch is an entrepreneurship program for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, which provides a safe, supportive, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances growth through programs and resources. Community leadership through volunteerism is promoted as a reflection of respect and reciprocity. For more information, visit www.powwowpitch.org.

About RBC Indigenous Financial Services Group

For more than 100 years, RBC has been building relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada. We are committed to serving Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, businesses and individuals by creating opportunities for sustainable economic development through access to banking and capital, and individuals. RBC also provides donations and grants that support Indigenous interests. More information at rbcroyalbank.com/indigenous.

About Shopify

Shopify is a leading global commerce company, providing trusted tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business of any size. Shopify makes commerce better for everyone with a platform and services that are engineered for reliability, while delivering a better shopping experience for consumers everywhere. Proudly founded in Ottawa, Shopify powers over 1.7 million businesses in more than 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Manitobah Mukluks, Cheekbone Beauty, Sisters Sage, Herbraids, Tania Larsson, and many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com. 

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

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Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America's premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Facebook, announced the opening of its seventh annual Pow Wow Pitch competition to Inuit, Métis and First Nations entrepreneurs across Turtle Island. 

Growing the Indigenous economy through entrepreneurship

Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenasco, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg entrepreneur started Pow Wow Pitch seven years ago to build a supportive community of Indigenous entrepreneurs as part of the Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow. 

"I started Pow Wow Pitch because I believe entrepreneurship is the path to self-sufficiency," said Founder Sunshine Tenasco. "Being on Dragon's Den changed my life. When Dragons Brett Wilson and Arlene Dickenson invested and believed in me, it gave me the courage to continue my entrepreneurship journey. I hope Pow Wow Pitch helps to give that gift to someone else."

Last year, Pow Wow Pitch moved online due to pandemic cancellations of pow wows, which enabled Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada to participate for the first time. With the success of the move to digital, this year’s Pow Wow Pitch is open to any Indigenous entrepreneur across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

How it works 

Between June 21st and July 31st, Indigenous entrepreneurs can submit a 1-minute video business pitch as their entry into the Pow Wow Pitch Competition. Indigenous (Inuit, Métis or First Nations) people living anywhere on Turtle Island of any age or gender with an idea or business at any stage and in any industry can apply. 

Pow Wow Pitch will select the top 150 entrepreneurs as Regional Semi-Finalists to receive mentorship, pitch training and a chance to take the continental stage to pitch their business.

The top 25 entrepreneurs from each region — Atlantic Canada, Québec, Ontario, the Prairies, British Columbia and the Territories, and the United States and Mexico — will pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to win their Regional Title and cash prize and advance onward to the Turtle Island Grand Finale Live Broadcast to win $50,0000 in cash prizes ranging from $500 CAD to $25,000 CAD for the Grand Prize winner. 

All entrepreneurs who enter the pitch competition will join the Pow Wow Pitch community, get access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, access more than $1,000 worth of free technology, tools and support, and have the chance to have their products and services featured in the Pow Wow Pitch annual Mailer Box to 500 customers and on the Pow Wow Pitch Directory for socially-conscious customers looking to ‘Buy Indigenous.’

Last year’s Winner, Sister’s Sage, used the competition to grow awareness beyond BC and fund a new space to scale product manufacturing. 

“Pow Wow Pitch has made me feel connected to an amazingly supportive network of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Lynn-Marie Angus, Co-Founder and CEO of Sister’s Sage. “Winning was a huge confidence booster for me not only professionally, but personally too! Pow Wow Pitch helped me get Sister’s Sage more visibility, and in turn, inspire other Indigenous entrepreneurs to believe in themselves.”

Powered by Partnerships 

To scale the Indigenous-led pitch competition across Turtle Island, Pow Wow Pitch is working with industry leaders who believe in the power of Indigenous entrepreneurship. Two early backers of Pow Wow Pitch, RBC and Shopify, have continued to scale their support as Co-Presenting Sponsors of the initiative to allow Pow Wow Pitch to rise to its ambition.

"Across the continent, Indigenous entrepreneurs are building fast-growing businesses, driving transformation in their communities, and leading the charge for a more sustainable and innovative future,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “Through our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch, RBC is proud to advance our shared goal of celebrating and supporting these entrepreneurs with mentorship, micro startup funds and exposure.”

"Beyond the economic contributions and employment, Indigenous entrepreneurship is important for cultural perpetuity, strengthening communities, and showcasing some of the most luminous and vibrant economy building minds,” said Toby Shannan, Chief Operating Officer of Shopify. “Shopify is committed to reducing barriers to Indigenous entrepreneurship, and is proud to continue sponsoring and empowering with Pow Wow Pitch."

To further support the program's growth, Facebook has also joined as a Co-Presenting Sponsor this year. 

“Indigenous entrepreneurs are building incredible businesses with huge potential, and they need support to take their ideas to the next level,” said Garrick Tiplady, Managing Director at Facebook Canada. “We’re passionate about helping Indigenous businesses grow and succeed, and thrilled to partner with Pow Wow Pitch to provide Indigenous businesses with training resources and funding.”

"Entrepreneurship is an important tool supporting reconciliation, and it takes all hands on deck to support Indigenous entrepreneurs," said Tenasco. "We are proud to continue our relationship with RBC and Shopify, and kick-start our relationship with Facebook, as we build an ecosystem for Indigenous-owned startups and entrepreneurs."To learn more about the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch competition, visit https://www.powwowpitch.org/pitch/

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Pow Wow Pitch, le premier concours de présentation en Amérique du Nord destiné aux entrepreneurs autochtones en herbe, présenté en partenariat avec RBC, Shopify et Facebook, a donné le coup d’envoi aujourd’hui à la septième édition de son concours annuel Pow Wow Pitch pour les Inuits, les Métis et les membres des Premières Nations aux quatre coins de l’Île de la Tortue.

Stimuler la croissance de l’économie autochtone grâce à l’entrepreneuriat

La fondatrice de Pow Wow Pitch, Sunshine Tenasco, est une entrepreneure de la communauté de Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg qui a démarré son projet de bâtir une communauté de soutien des entrepreneurs autochtones dans le cadre des célébrations du pow-wow lors du Festival des arts autochtones du solstice d’Ottawa.

« J’ai lancé Pow Wow Pitch, car je crois que l’entrepreneuriat est la voie de l’autosuffisance, explique Sunshine Tenasco, la fondatrice. Mon passage à l’émission Dragon’s Den a changé ma vie. Brett Wilson et Arlene Dickinson ont investi et cru en moi, et c’est ce qui m’a donné le courage de poursuivre mon parcours entrepreneurial. J’espère que Pow Wow Pitch aidera à donner le même élan à d’autres personnes. »

L’année dernière, Pow Wow Pitch a eu lieu en ligne en raison de la pandémie qui a entraîné l’annulation des pow-wow. Cette édition virtuelle a permis aux entrepreneurs autochtones de partout au Canada d’y participer pour la première fois. Fort du succès de son édition virtuelle, le concours Pow Wow Pitch de cette année s’adresse à tous les entrepreneurs autochtones du Canada, des États-Unis et du Mexique.

Fonctionnement

Du 21 juin au 31 juillet, les entrepreneurs autochtones pourront soumettre une vidéo de présentation d’une minute pour participer au concours Pow Wow Pitch. Les Autochtones (Inuits, Métis ou membres des Premières Nations) des quatre coins de l’Île de la Tortue, de tous les âges et de tous les genres ayant une idée ou une entreprise à n’importe quelle étape de son développement et de n’importe quelle industrie peuvent participer.

Les 150 premiers entrepreneurs qui se qualifieront pour la demi-finale régionale de Pow Wow Pitch bénéficieront d’un mentorat et d’une formation pour peaufiner leur présentation, en plus d’avoir la chance de monter sur la scène continentale pour présenter leur entreprise.

Les 25 premiers entrepreneurs de chaque région (Canada atlantique, Québec, Ontario, Prairies, Colombie-Britannique et territoires et États-Unis et Mexique) feront une présentation devant un jury pour courir la chance de remporter le titre régional, un prix en argent et une invitation à la grande finale diffusée en direct depuis l’Île de la Tortue. En tout, 50 000 $ seront remis en prix allant de 500 $ à 25 000 $ pour le grand gagnant.

Tous les entrepreneurs qui participent au concours de présentation se joindront à la communauté Pow Wow Pitch et auront accès gratuitement à un programme d’aide au démarrage pour les Autochtones ainsi qu’à plus de 1 000 $ en technologie, en outils et en soutien. De plus, leurs produits et leurs services pourront faire partie de la boîte Pow Wow Pitch expédiée à 500 clients. Enfin, ils ont auront la chance de figurer dans le répertoire Pow Wow Pitch qui permet aux consommateurs socialement responsables d’« acheter autochtone ».

La gagnante de l’édition précédente a utilisé le concours comme un tremplin pour faire connaître son entreprise, Sister’s Sage au-delà de la Colombie-Britannique et trouver un plus grand local pour faire croître les activités de fabrication de son produit.

« Pow Wow Pitch m’a donné l’impression d’être en contact avec un réseau d’entrepreneurs autochtones offrant un soutien incroyable, raconte Lynn-Marie Angus, cofondatrice et directrice générale de Sister’s Sage. Cette victoire m’a donné un grand coup de pouce sur le plan de la confiance, tant au niveau professionnel que personnel! Pow Wow Pitch m’a aidée à mieux faire connaître Sister’s Sage et à inspirer à mon tour d’autres entrepreneurs autochtones à croire en eux. »

Propulsé par ses partenaires

Pour étendre ce concours de présentation à tous les Autochtones de l’Île de la Tortue, Pow Wow Pitch travaille avec des partenaires de l’industrie qui croient au pouvoir de l’entrepreneuriat autochtone. Deux investisseurs de Pow Wow Pitch depuis les tout débuts, RBC et Shopify, continuent d’accroître leur soutien à l’initiative en tant que commanditaires principaux pour qu’elle soit à la hauteur de ses ambitions.

« Les entrepreneurs autochtones de l’ensemble du continent créent des entreprises qui connaissent une croissance rapide, favorisent la transformation de leurs collectivités et mènent la charge pour bâtir un avenir plus durable et novateur, affirme Dale Sturges, directeur national, Services financiers aux Autochtones de RBC. Grâce à notre partenariat avec Pow Wow Pitch, RBC est fière de faire progresser son objectif partagé de célébrer et de soutenir les entrepreneurs autochtones par de l’encadrement, des fonds de microdémarrage et de la visibilité. »

.

Pour stimuler davantage la croissance de l’initiative, Facebook se joint maintenant au rang de commanditaire principal.

« Les entrepreneurs autochtones mettent sur pied des entreprises formidables au potentiel énorme. Ils ont besoin d’être épaulés pour faire passer leurs idées au niveau supérieur, soutient Garrick Tiplady, directeur général de Facebook Canada. La croissance et la réussite des entreprises autochtones nous tiennent à cœur. Nous sommes ravis de faire équipe avec Pow Wow Pitch pour offrir de la formation, des ressources et des fonds aux entrepreneurs autochtones. »

« L’entrepreneuriat est un moyen important pour favoriser la réconciliation. Tout le monde doit mettre les mains à la pâte pour épauler les entrepreneurs autochtones, soutient Mme Tenasco. Nous sommes fiers de continuer à travailler avec RBC et Shopify et de lancer notre collaboration avec Facebook et Amazon, alors que nous créons un écosystème pour les entrepreneurs autochtones et les entreprises en démarrage appartenant à des Autochtones. » Pour en savoir plus au sujet du concours Pow Wow Pitch 2021, visitez le powwowpitch.org/pitch/.

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Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced the renewal of RBC as its frontrunning co-presenting sponsor, supporting its 2021 plans to scale education, mentorship and recognition of Indigenous entrepreneurs.

According to a 2020 RBC Report, Indigenous Canadians are starting businesses at twice the rate as non-Indigenous Canadians and Indigenous women are starting businesses at five times the rate as non-Indigenous women. However, support for Indigenous creators, makers, artists and entrepreneurs has yet to keep pace with what the Indigenomics Institute projects will be a $100B economy by 2030.

Pow Wow Pitch launched seven years ago as a grassroots pitch contest for vendors at the Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow. RBC sponsored the competition from its early days and has grown its support each year as the competition expanded to support more entrepreneurs.

Last year, pandemic lockdowns forced Pow Wow cancellations across Canada, necessitating Pow Wow Pitch to move online. This created an opportunity to take Pow Wow Pitch across Canada digitally, seeing participation from every province and territory.

With increased demand and participation in Pow Wow Pitch, its Founder, Sunshine Tenasco, recognized the need to deepen support by including education resources, providing mentorship, and sharing the stories of experienced Indigenous entrepreneurs across and beyond Canada.

“I want Pow Wow Pitch to be as well-known as Dragons’ Den, but by and for Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Our vision is to provide a trusted platform for Indigenous entrepreneurs to share their ideas, products and services with each other and the world. Moving the program online allows us to reach more Indigenous people and showcase the diversity of the businesses we are creating infused with our unique culture.”

This year, Pow Wow Pitch has expanded with an Indigenous Startup Program, a Podcast Series and Awards to complement the Pitch competition. RBC has renewed its support for 2021, making it the longest-standing partner of the competition.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation have always been an integral part of Indigenous ways of life, and today, this is inspiring sustainable and transformational solutions not only for Indigenous nations, but for Canada as a whole,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “Now in its seventh year, we are thrilled to partner with Pow Wow Pitch, a First Nations-owned enterprise, to provide a supportive, collaborative and empowering environment for Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

Aaron Martyniw, RBC Vice President Commercial Markets, Winnipeg, will join the Pow Wow Pitch Advisory Board and support Pow Wow Pitch by providing webinars, engaging its employees as mentors, adjudicating the pitch competition, and contributing prize dollars for winning entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneurship is an important tool supporting reconciliation, and it takes all hands on deck to support Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Tenasco. “We are proud to continue our relationship with RBC as we build an ecosystem for Indigenous-owned startups and entrepreneurs.”

To learn more about the partnership between Pow Wow Pitch and RBC, visit powwowpitch.org/rbc.

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Aujourd’hui, Pow Wow Pitch, un concours d’exposés à l’intention des entrepreneurs autochtones émergents en Amérique du Nord, a annoncé que RBC renouvelait son engagement à titre de cocommanditaire principal de premier plan. La banque entend ainsi soutenir les projets d’éducation, de mentorat et de reconnaissance des entrepreneurs autochtones que Pow Wow Pitch souhaite déployer en 2021.

Au Canada, deux fois plus d’Autochtones que de non-autochtones fondent des entreprises, et les femmes autochtones lancent cinq fois plus d’entreprises que les femmes non autochtones. Pourtant, le soutien apporté aux créateurs, bâtisseurs, artistes et entrepreneurs autochtones ne suit pas le même rythme. Il faudra remédier à cette lacune, car selon l’Indigenomics Institute, d’ici 2030, cette population sera derrière une économie de 100 milliards de dollars.

Pow Wow Pitch a été créé il y a sept ans en tant que concours d’exposés populaire pour les fournisseurs du Pow Wow organisé dans le cadre du Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival d’Ottawa. RBC a commandité le concours dès le début, accentuant son soutien chaque année afin d’aider encore plus d’entrepreneurs.

L’an dernier, les mesures de confinement découlant de la pandémie ont forcé l’annulation de rassemblements Pow Wow partout au Canada. Les organisateurs du Pow Wow Pitch y ont vu l’occasion de passer à une formule en ligne, accessible dans l’ensemble des provinces et territoires.

Compte tenu de la hausse de la demande et du taux de participation au concours Pow Wow Pitch, sa fondatrice, Sunshine Tenasco, a reconnu la nécessité d’accroître le soutien en offrant notamment des ressources éducatives, des expériences de mentorat et une plateforme pour raconter les histoires d’entrepreneurs autochtones d’expérience au pays et à l’étranger.

“J’aimerais que le programme Pow Wow Pitch, créé par des entrepreneurs autochtones et destiné aux entrepreneurs autochtones, soit aussi connu que l’émission Dans l’œil du dragon,” explique Sunshine Tenasco, fondatrice de Pow Wow Pitch. “Nous souhaitons fournir aux entrepreneurs autochtones une plateforme fiable sur laquelle ils peuvent partager – entre eux et avec le reste du monde – leurs idées, leurs produits et leurs services. En transférant le programme en ligne, nous pouvons rejoindre plus de peuples autochtones et montrer la diversité et la culture unique des entreprises que nous mettons sur pied.”

Cette année, Pow Wow Pitch a pris de l’ampleur : en plus du concours d’exposés, on retrouve un programme de démarrage d’entreprises autochtones, une série de balados et des prix. RBC a renouvelé son appui en 2021, ce qui en fait le plus ancien partenaire du concours.

“L’entrepreneuriat et l’innovation ont toujours fait partie intégrante du mode de vie des Autochtones. Aujourd’hui, ils ont l’occasion de présenter leurs inspirantes solutions durables et novatrices aux peuples autochtones et au Canada tout entier,” explique Dale Sturges, directeur général national, Services financiers aux Autochtones RBC. “Nous sommes fiers d’appuyer la 7e édition de Pow Wow Pitch, une initiative des Premières Nations qui vise à fournir aux entrepreneurs autochtones un espace de soutien collaboratif et stimulant.”

Aaron Martyniw, vice-président, Marchés commerciaux – Winnipeg, RBC, se joindra au conseil consultatif de Pow Wow Pitch et apportera son soutien à l’équipe en organisant des séminaires, en sollicitant la participation de ses employés à titre de mentors, en agissant comme juge lors du concours d’exposés et en apportant une participation financière pour les prix remis aux gagnants.

“La réconciliation passe entre autres par l’entrepreneuriat, et une mobilisation de toutes les ressources est nécessaire pour soutenir les entrepreneurs autochtones,” explique Madame Tenasco. “We are proud to continue our relationship with RBC as we build an ecosystem for Indigenous-owned startups and entrepreneurs.”

Pour en savoir plus sur le partenariat entre Pow Wow Pitch et RBC, visitez powwowpitch.org/rbc.

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