Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island win $45,000 in prizes

Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC and Mastercard, announced Kendal Garlow, the Six Nations Mohawk Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync Ltd., as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Winner and recipient of the Grand Prize of $25,000. 

The Grand Finale was hosted by Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch, and featured Indigenous entrepreneurs from Nations across Turtle Island like the Navajo, Cree, Mohawk, Anishinaabe, Maliseet, Inuit, Métis, Blackfeet, and Native Hawaiian.

Following a qualifying Semi-Final round, the top 18 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island, went head-to-head pitching their businesses to an esteemed panel of Judges who evaluated and selected the Grand Finale winners.

The 2025 Grand Finale Judges included Herb ZoBell, Vice President of Commercial Financial Services at RBC; Kate Karn, Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Mastercard; the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch 1st Place Winner Dr. Shyra Barberstock, Co-Founder and CEO of Kebaonish Inc; and the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch 3rd Place Winner Darion Ducharme, Founder of Teqare.

MEET THE WINNERS

The First Place Prize of $25,000 presented by RBC was awarded to Kendal Garlow, Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync Ltd., from Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario. SproutSync is an Indigenous-led greenhouse automation company dedicated to making food sovereignty practical and achievable. Co-founded by Kendal and her partner, Thomas Sweeney, SproutSync brings together Indigenous food sovereignty research and engineering innovation to create sustainable systems to empower communities to thrive. Watch Kendal’s pitch. 

“Winning Pow Wow Pitch is a huge reminder that our idea is worth pursuing. After feeling unsure and having doubts about our capabilities as entrepreneurs, this recognition means so much to us and it’s the push we needed to continue this work,” shared Kendal Garlow, Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync. “We want to make a difference in our community and to other Indigenous communities, and being a Pow Wow Pitch winner helps us do so in more ways than one. It’s given us confidence to make positive change.”

Kendal plans to allocate her $25,000 Grand Prize towards accelerating SproutSync’s official launch and securing crucial technological advancements, including the development of their proprietary AI system. A core objective for SproutSync is to foster positive community impact by making innovative growing and planting technology more approachable and user-friendly for a diverse array of grow projects.

“When the going gets tough, the tough gets you going,” reflects Kendal. “As an Indigenous entrepreneur who still feels like I’m at the start of my journey, when things get hard, or you run into obstacles, keep going. There is a space for you, and if Indigenizing the business world is something you want to do, you can absolutely do it.”

Kendal expresses her gratitude for her accomplishment to her community, team, mentors, and support networks. “My co-founder and husband, Thomas, deserves the biggest thank you for sharing this incredible journey with me. To Terry and Martina, who have supported and coached us every step of the way. To my father, Chad, and grandmother, Marion, whose land we took over to build a test bed on. To my mom, Teri, who is the newest addition to SproutSync! Finally, to the growers, our partners, Dr. Joshua Wong at NMI, my supervisor and mentor Dr. Adrianne Xavier, and thank you to everyone who has been following our journey and supporting us in silence, we appreciate you all.”

The Second Place Prize of $10,000 presented by Mastercard was awarded to Wendy Landry, Founder of Bebia Cho Foods Co., from Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation and based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Bebia Cho Foods Co. is a family-owned and operated snack company bringing delicious, nutritious fruit snacks from the Okanagan to families across Turtle Island. Rooted in a mission to reduce food waste, create jobs, and support food security in Northern and isolated Indigenous communities. In her pitch, Wendy Landry shared that she plans to use the funds to invest in packaging and labeling, which are essential steps to making their apple chips more accessible in schools, Indigenous-owned businesses, and beyond. Watch Wendy’s pitch.

“Pow Wow Pitch has changed my life and opened doors to opportunities I did not ever think was possible. After Kamloopa I was able to launch my business from just being a hobby at home to working in a commercial kitchen, we are constantly scaling up,” shared Wendy Landry, Founder of Bebia Cho Foods Co. “This journey has been incredible. Our apple chips have won six awards in Kelowna, and we're in the top three for Indigenous Business of the Year in Kelowna, BC. After winning Kamloopa, our lives changed. It's overwhelming sometimes, I'm still in shock with all the support and success—all those long nights and grinding worked out! I encourage everyone to just do it; you never know what's possible.”

The Third Place Prize of $5,000 presented by Pow Wow Pitch Alumni, Dr.Shyra Barberstock of Kebaonish Inc., went to Annie Pillaktuaq from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Founder of Art Den by Annie. Annie is an accomplished Inuk visual artist and designer who creates abstract cubist paintings and handcrafted accessories, including sealskin jewellery, mukluks, and mittens, rooted in Inuit heritage and storytelling. In her pitch, Annie revealed her ambitious vision to deepen her impact by establishing a creative hub in Ottawa, a welcoming space dedicated to Inuit and Indigenous artists to collaborate, create, and exhibit. Watch Annie’s pitch.

“Being a Pow Wow Pitch winner is deeply meaningful because it celebrates both my story and my purpose,” shared Annie Pillaktuaq, Founder of Art Den by Annie. “As an Inuit woman who rebuilt her life through art, this recognition shows that healing, culture, and business can thrive together. Pow Wow Pitch reinforces my commitment as a business owner to keep building Art Den into a sustainable, community-driven enterprise—one that grows responsibly while continuing to create space for Indigenous creativity.”

The Alumni Choice Prize of $5,000 was presented on behalf of Pow Wow Pitch Alumni by Darion Ducharme of Teqare, to Debbie Courchene, Founder of IndigE-girl Comedy, from Sagkeeng First Nation and based in Vancouver, British Columbia. IndigE-girl Comedy is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering Indigenous women, queer, and non-binary voices in the stand-up comedy industry. Through mentorship workshops, open mics, and showcases, IndigE-girl Comedy creates a safe and supportive community where performers can explore storytelling, reclaim space, and use humour as medicine. Debbie shared in her pitch that she plans  to invest in marketing, production equipment, and the capacity to support more Indigenous creatives. Watch Debbie’s pitch.

“This experience has reminded me that I have the power to make a difference. I have spent much of my life uplifting Indigenous creatives, and this moment feels like both a recognition and a renewal of that purpose,” shared Debbie Courchene, Founder of IndigE-girl Comedy. “As our communities heal from generations of pain, we are reclaiming our narratives, shifting from survival to joy, from silence to expression. Now, we get to bring lightness, humour, and creativity to the forefront, celebrating the beauty, the absurdity, and the spirit that makes our people so powerful.”

Debbie shares a piece of advice to Indigenous entrepreneurs, “Never forget that you are not alone in this journey. Lean on your community. Seek out your mentors, your helpers, your circle. Mentorship is vital to growth; it gives us guidance, courage, and a sense of belonging. Collaboration and kinship are what keep our fire burning. When we rise together, we honour those who came before us and make space for those still to come.”

“This year has been a joyful milestone for Pow Wow Pitch, filled with inspiration, growth, and a deep sense of pride in celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We are honoured to celebrate visionary leaders who are shaping the future of Indigenous business. To our Grand Prize winners, Kendal, Wendy, Annie, and Debbie, and to all our finalists, your passion, perseverance, and commitment to your communities are truly inspiring. We are proud to stand alongside you as you continue to grow your businesses and create lasting impact. Mìgwetch for sharing your stories and for leading the way in Indigenous entrepreneurship. I look forward to seeing all that you will achieve.”

“Indigenous entrepreneurs are driving innovation, shaping industries, and strengthening the economic resilience of communities across Canada. At RBC, we are proud to support Pow Wow Pitch as we enable and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Indigenous businesses to our country’s economic growth and cultural pride,” said Chinyere Eni, Head of RBC Origins. “Congratulations to all the finalists and winners—your passion, creativity, and resilience are truly inspiring. Your entrepreneurial spirit is paving the way for future generations, and we are honoured to stand beside you on this journey.”

"At Mastercard, we’ve been inspired by the passion, creativity and determination of the Indigenous entrepreneurs who participated in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch," said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. "Our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch reflects our commitment to unlocking economic opportunities for growth and success, to help build a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are honoured to play a role in their journeys and to celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to all the pitchers, and a special congratulations to Kendal, Wendy, Annie, and Debbie on winning the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch!"

To watch the Grand Finale, click here.

To schedule an interview with Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenaco, or one of our winners, Kendal Garlow, Wendy Landry, Annie Pillaqtuaq, or Debbie Courchene, please contact hello@powwowpitch.org.

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.