Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced the Business Development Bank of Canada as a Silver Partner for its 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Program. 

Set to empower more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2022 with mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support, BDC’s investment is helping Pow Wow Pitch to scale its virtual programs, re-enter communities with on-the-ground assistance across Canada, and enhance its programming to help Indigenous entrepreneurs in the United States and New Zealand thrive.

In addition to supporting Pow Wow Pitch as a Silver-Level Sponsor and engaging BDC employees as mentors, trusted advisors, and judges for virtual pitch contests and on the ground at pow wows across Canada, BDC is also supporting Pow Wow Pitch to develop on-demand resources and culturally appropriate mental health supports for early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs.

“BDC is a longstanding partner of Pow Wow Pitch, and its support is helping us grow the number of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Canada,” said Sunshine Tenasco, the Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “As we provide Indigenous entrepreneurs with a trusted and safe community to support their entrepreneurial journey, we are grateful to BDC employees for their volunteerism and to BDC for investing in greater mental health supports for Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

As the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, BDC is committed to ensuring entrepreneurs have the financing, advice, tools, and resources they need to succeed. This includes a team of more than 300 Client Diversity Champions with a mandate to help diverse entrepreneurs thrive.  

“Indigenous peoples are starting businesses at an unprecedented rate. Their passion and creativity is boundless and BDC is here to help them launch, buy, or expand their business,” said Monica James, Regional Manager, BDC. “We also recognize the pandemic has had long-lasting impacts on people’s business, and their mental health and wellbeing. We are thrilled to partner with Pow Wow Pitch again this year to expand our support to take care of entrepreneurs – and their businesses.”

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