Are you an Indigenous entrepreneur in Kamloops looking to take action on an idea or grow your business? The Kamloopa Powwow Society and Pow Wow Pitch are teaming up for the eighth year, with the support of the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nation (CFDC of CFIN) to spotlight and celebrate Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, creators, and innovators August 4th and 5th, 2023, in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Territory, Kamloops, British Columbia.

Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard, announced its return to the Kamloopa Powwow Society to host Pow Wow Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

The 42nd annual Kamloopa Powwow takes place in Kamloops, British Columbia, from August 4th-6th, 2023. Kamloopa showcases First Nations communities and cultures from across North America through the celebration of song, dance, and artistry. 

Kamloopa Powwow Society is hosting Pow Wow Pitch for the second year to put the spotlight on Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, creators, and innovators attending Kamloopa. 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.

To enter, vendors and entrepreneurs can pre-register to pitch, with a few spots reserved on a lottery for those who just turn up and want to pitch. 

Entrepreneurs will share their business pitch in 1-minute to a panel of judges, who will then select the Top 10. The Top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors before pitching in front of the judges and the Kamloopa 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 get a Golden Ticket to the Turtle Island Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000.

Last year’s winner, Jason Lizotte, the Paddle Prairie Métis Owner and Founder of Nipiy Industries, took home the first-place prize and recalled on his Pow Wow Pitch experience to comment, “It was so amazing to see all the pitchers coming up and stepping out of their comfort zones in front of successful entrepreneurs and leaders to share their businesses.”

“Kamloopa is one of the most important powwows in Turtle Island,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “This year, we will build on our good work together with the Kamloopa Powwow Society Team and CDFC of CFIN to continue to foster an inclusive celebration of Indigenous ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit and ventures of all types. We look forward to putting the spotlight on Indigenous creators, makers, builders and businesses who are blazing new paths for their communities.”

“Pow Wow Pitch is a great extension to the work we do at the Kamloopa Powwow Society,” said Delyla Daniels, Director of Kamloopa Powwow Society. “Supporting First Nations culture and businesses, including our individual entrepreneurs, helps to grow our communities economically and improves our lives overall.”

“CFDC of CFIN is proud to be partnering with Pow Wow Pitch for the second year in a row,” said its General Manager George Casimir. “We are committed to collaborating with the community on this initiative to support and spotlight Indigenous entrepreneurs in our community and to surround them with the tools, resources, financing and ecosystem they need to start and grow thriving businesses. We look forward to supporting all the entrepreneurs who come out to pitch this year!”

All pitchers will access a Shopify 60-day free trial, a free.CA domain from CIRA, and access to the support and connections of the Pow Wow Pitch community. 

To learn more and pre-register for Pow Wow Pitch at Kamloopa, visit: powwowpitch.org/kamloopa.

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