On September 4th, 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 Mohawk Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync, a business based in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, as the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Sustainability Semi-Final Winner. Kendal has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their business.

More than 130 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) were selected as Semi-Finalists in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch. Each received training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges, competing for the chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. Twelve Sustainability Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and a spot in the finals.

Judges included Sydney Baldwin, Senior Relationship Manager of Commercial Markets at RBC; Carissa Snachez, Investment Associate at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners; and Shehnila Sayeed, Senior Communications Specialist at CIRA. 

“There is one person I’d like to thank, and that’s my partner in business and in life, Thomas,” said Kendal Garlow, CEO and Co-Founder of SproutSync. “His engineering expertise and dedication are what help our business continue to move forward and make waves in the agriculture and tech industry. We’re so happy we’ve come this far, and enjoying this process is the most important part of Pow Wow Pitch for us.”

Kendal Garlow, Co-Founder and CEO of SproutSync, is preparing to launch with a vision to empower Indigenous growers through culturally aligned greenhouse automation tools. SproutSync focuses on blending advanced agricultural technology with traditional knowledge, ensuring that innovation supports and respects community values and practices. By aligning automation with cultural authenticity, Kendal aims to make modern growing systems more accessible while helping Indigenous communities strengthen food sovereignty and overcome technical barriers in agriculture.

In her recent pitch, Kendal outlined a clear roadmap for using incoming funds to accelerate SproutSync’s impact. The priority is to finalize their prototype and begin testing with local partners, ensuring that the product is refined in real-world settings that reflect community needs. Concurrently, they aim to build an AI chatbot for client support, reducing technical barriers for growers. Altogether, Kendal’s plan positions SproutSync to promote food sovereignty, empower Indigenous agricultural leadership, and deliver agritech solutions that are as inclusive and accessible as they are innovative.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned thus far is that entrepreneurship, especially in community spaces, is about moving at the pace of trust,” shared Kendal. “This means listening deeply, building strong relationships, and finding and creating solutions that honour the people you’re working with. My advice for Indigenous entrepreneurs is to bring your Indigenous self into your business. Your culture, your learnings, your teachings, and your ways of knowing are all incredible strengths and belong in the business world.”

The judges congratulated Kendal for her incredibly strong and thoughtful pitch, highlighting her clear vision for both the present and future of SproutSync. They were especially impressed by her detailed planning and passion that truly stood out.

“Congratulations to Kendal Garlow on advancing to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Kendal’s approach reflects the true spirit of Indigenous entrepreneurship of listening deeply, building strong relationships, and creating solutions that honour and uplift community. With SproutSync, she is advancing food sovereignty in a way that blends technology with traditional knowledge, ensuring that innovation remains rooted in culture and values. We are excited to see Kendal’s leadership and impact grow as she continues this important work.”

Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledged the Runner Up for the Sustainability industry category. Nadia “Bogs” Bogayevsky, Founder of Good Native Plants, was recognized for her beautiful and well-delivered pitch, along with the clear explanation of her business and its impact. 

“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous changemakers who are making a meaningful impact through their passion, creativity, and determination,” said Chinyere Eni, Head of RBC Origins. “We are so inspired by all the participants and semi-finalists – their ingenuity and perseverance to bring their innovative ideas to life is truly commendable. At RBC, we are committed to supporting their entrepreneurial journey and celebrating their successes.”

“The talent and determination showcased by this year’s Pow Wow Pitch entrepreneurs have been nothing short of inspiring,” said Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Policy and Stakeholder Engagement at Mastercard, Canada. “Our team at Mastercard works closely with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to break down barriers and create new opportunities for growth and economic prosperity across Canada. Congratulations to all the pitchers for sharing their ideas and stories, and a special congratulations to Kendal Garlow for advancing to the next round.”

To watch Kendal’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Sustainability Semi-Final episode, click here.

Kendal will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 22, 2025. Register to watch the 2025 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.

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Nadia “Bogs” Bogayevsky, Founder and CEO of Good Native Plants and a proud member of Elsipogtog First Nation, is bringing native plants and their stories back to the land. Based in Balmoral, New Brunswick, her work combines traditional Indigenous knowledge with western ecology to create ethical, regionally appropriate seed collections that restore ecosystems, support pollinators, and revive cultural teachings. Alongside selling seeds, she leads workshops on native-plant-based wildlife conservation, helping people understand the deep ties between Mi’kmaq language, culture, and the plants that have shaped them for generations.

Nadia’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a desire to preserve Mi’kmaq culture and language, which are closely tied to native flora. In just her first quarter of operations, she attended four market events, sold over 400 packets of seeds, and hosted two seedbomb-making workshops where participants learned about Indigenous plant relationships and hands-on conservation. For Nadia, these moments confirm that her mission is about healing both the land and the people.

Applying to Pow Wow Pitch was an intentional step to connect with a network that understands the cultural grounding behind her work. Nadia saw the platform as a way to grow a movement that restores biodiversity, revives traditional plant knowledge, and creates sustainable income for Indigenous seed sellers across Canada. The experience has been a highlight of her entrepreneurial journey, offering mentorship, feedback, and a supportive community of innovators who share her values.

Nadia credits her mentor, My Tran from RBC, with helping her refine her pitch for business-focused audiences. Through thoughtful questions and practical recommendations, My encouraged her to include measurable outcomes and industry language while staying true to her vision. The process gave Nadia confidence and clarity in sharing her story.

For aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs, Nadia offers this advice: “Build your business on the strengths and values of your community, not just market trends. Know your ‘why’ and let it guide you, especially when opportunities could pull you off course. Start small, test your ideas, and grow through relationships rather than quick wins. Seek out Indigenous-led networks and mentorship to stay grounded, supported, and culturally connected.”

For Nadia, entrepreneurship is an act of cultural restoration. “Every seed I sell is part of bringing our plant relatives home, healing the land, and reviving knowledge that was almost lost,” she reflects. Being part of Pow Wow Pitch has reminded her that she is part of a larger movement toward sovereignty, self-determination, and thriving communities for the next seven generations.
Watch Nadia as she pitches her business in the Sustainability category airing on September 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM ET. Click here to see all episodes: powwowpitch.org/episodes.

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Levi Wild, a passionate advocate for Indigenous empowerment from the Michif & Passpasschase Cree communities, shares how his initiative, the Children Of The North Project Corp., is uplifting Indigenous people to lead the clean energy transition. Based Edmonton, Alberta, Levi’s entrepreneurial journey was born out of necessity and a profound commitment to his community.

Levi’s journey began when he learned the potential of solar energy. A mentor’s story about presenting solar technology to Indigenous youth in the Sahtu Region left a lasting impression. The youth’s enthusiasm for the possibilities of economic empowerment through renewable energy inspired Levi.

The Children Of The North Project Corp. is an organization that specializes in providing project management, grant-writing, and consultation services to Indigenous communities. Their primary focus is to assist these communities in adopting renewable technologies and achieving energy independence. The mission of Children Of The North Project Corp. extends beyond clean energy; it’s about empowering communities to address fundamental needs like clean water, healthcare, education, and food sovereignty.

For Levi, being an entrepreneur is about more than just business. “The most rewarding part is meeting new people,” he shares. “Learning about their specialties, and developing solutions together.” He acknowledges that entrepreneurs can’t do everything themselves and emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships.

Levi’s journey has recently led to his participation in Pow Wow Pitch, a pitch competition that provides a platform and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs. “The network of people gives you the encouragement you need to keep motivated and grow your business to success,” Levi shares on his Pow Wow Pitch experience.

Levi Wild received support from his Pow Wow Pitch mentors, Robert Perron and Leslie Fields from RBC, and Mike D’Abramo from Skylar Wilton & Associates. “Rob taught me the importance of using high-impact words or phrases to leave a lasting impact with my pitch,” shared Levi. “Leslie helped to highlight my Indigenous heritage in my intro to show my dedication to give back to the community. Mike was the great help in refining my pitch for the Grand Finale.”

Levi’s advice to aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs is a reflection of his own journey, “Give it a shot! Find your local Indigenous entrepreneurship events, either from your nation or organizations like Pow Wow Pitch, and start sharing your ideas.” 

Levi Wild’s story is a testament to the power of vision, community, and perseverance. Through Children Of The North Project Corp., he is not only shaping the future of clean energy but also paving the way for Indigenous communities to thrive in a sustainable world. 

Register to watch Levi pitch at the Grand Finale Watch Party on October 19, 2023.

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