Indigenous vendors, artists and entrepreneurs from Canada and the United States can pitch their businesses and business ideas virtually and live at powwows and Indigenous festivals for their chance to join the Pow Wow Pitch training and mentorship program and win cash prizes.

Pow Wow Pitch founder Sunshine Tenasco said, “Indigenous people have the ideas to make a difference in their communities, and Pow Wow Pitch is our platform to support one another as a community.” 

How it works

Virtual Pitch: To enter the virtual competition, Indigenous entrepreneurs can submit a one-minute video business pitch virtually between April 17th and June 21st at powwowpitch.org/pitch. Pow Wow Pitch will shortlist the top 100 Indigenous entrepreneurs as semi-finalists to receive mentorship, pitch training, and compete in the virtual semi-finals for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the finals.

In-Person: Pow Wow Pitch will also be on-site for Indigenous entrepreneurs to pitch live at Gathering of Nations on April 29 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Manito Ahbee on May 20, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival on June 24, 2023, in Ottawa, Ontario; Kamloopa Powwow on August 5th and 6th in Kamloops, British Columbia; and, the Taste of the Atlantic Indigenous Festival Powwow on April 26th in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Entrepreneurs can pitch their business or idea for one minute to win cash prizes and receive a golden ticket to the finals.

The Finals: On October 19th, the top entrepreneurs from the virtual and live semi-finals will pitch to a panel of judges at the Grand Finale for the chance to win the top prizes: an Alumni Prize of $5,000, a People’s Choice Prize of $5,000, 3rd Prize of $5,000, 2nd Prize of $10,000, and 1st Prize of $25,000.  

Participating entrepreneurs in the Pow Wow Pitch competition will join a thriving community of Indigenous entrepreneurs and gain access to free training and support to start and grow their businesses. They will also receive a free .CA domain from CIRA and a 60-day free Shopify trial to help establish their online presence. 

Last year’s winner, Erica Daniels, Founder of Kejic Productions, used the competition to connect with new customers, purchase equipment and grow her team. 

“It’s been such an honour to be an alumnus and the winner of Pow Wow Pitch 2022,” said Erica. “Pow Wow Pitch has provided so many growth opportunities, such as expanding my network and gaining clientele across Canada. The funding support has allowed us to purchase additional high-grade video production equipment and, most importantly, has allowed us to expand our team by hiring an emerging Indigenous filmmaker to train and be mentored in the media industry.”

Those entrepreneurs who advance to the semi-finals will also benefit from specialized pitch training and receive mentorship support, and those who move on to the finals will participate in a Finalist Bootcamp and unlock additional opportunities and have the chance to win the grand prize of $25,000. 

Powered by partnerships 

Pow Wow Pitch is proud to work with industry leaders who believe in the power of Indigenous entrepreneurship. RBC, Shopify, and Mastercard are co-presenting sponsors and are providing significant multi-year support to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island. Together, they are working to create a supportive ecosystem that enables Indigenous entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses, access training and support, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals.

“As part of our longstanding collaboration with Pow Wow Pitch, RBC is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive,” said Michael Ferencich, Senior Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC. “We’re proud to support this competition, which celebrates Indigenous innovation and success, and puts reconciliation into action. We look forward to working with this year’s cohort of inspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs to provide start-up funds and mentorship as they navigate the business landscape and build their dreams.”

“Shopify proudly supports Pow Wow Pitch, empowering a vibrant and diverse community of visionaries to shape the future of commerce,” said Kyle St-Amour-Brennan, Indigenous Entrepreneurship Program Manager at Shopify. “Through collaboration and innovation, we are committed to fostering a thriving ecosystem where Indigenous entrepreneurs can flourish and make a lasting impact on the global market.”

“At Mastercard, we recognize the responsibility we have to create a more inclusive economy that benefits everyone,” said Sasha Krstic, president of Mastercard in Canada. “We are proud to partner with Pow Wow Pitch to address unique barriers and challenges that Indigenous entrepreneurs face and to amplify their success across the country. We are grateful to be part of such an important initiative and look forward to continuing to support Indigenous entrepreneurship through Pow Wow Pitch and other programs that empower communities to build a brighter future together.”

For the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Season, Pow Wow Pitch is also supported by Silver Sponsors BDC, Canada Post, Export Development Canada, Futurpreneur, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Jelly Academy, NACCA, Meta, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, Aritzia and the National Association of Friendship Centres in collaboration with Seed Sponsors Best Buy, CIRA, MITACS, MNP, Sklar Wilton & Associates, Invest Ottawa, Rakuten Advertising, JEDI, T’Kemlups Business and Economic Development Corporation and the Women Entrepreneurs Knowledge Hub. 

With so much support and resources available, Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island are encouraged to pitch their businesses or ideas and join the Pow Wow Pitch community to help bring their visions to life.

“Pow Wow Pitch would not be possible without the support and generosity of our industry partners,” said Sunshine Tenasco. “RBC, Shopify and Mastercard have been our trusted allies in promoting Indigenous entrepreneurship and making our dream a reality. We couldn’t be more grateful for their unwavering commitment to our cause, and we’re excited to see what the future holds!” 

To learn more about the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch competition, visit powwowpitch.org/pitch. 

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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 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 powers millions of businesses worldwide. The all-in-one commerce platform to start, run, and grow a business. Shopify believes the future of commerce has more voices, not fewer, so we’re reducing the barriers to business ownership to make commerce better for everyone.

We are trusted by Indigenous brands such as Cheekbone Beauty, Indigenous Box, Sisters Sage, SECTION 35, Tania Larsson, and many many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com or visit our specific Indigenous Entrepreneurship initiative Build Native at www.buildnative.shop. 

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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The partnership between Pow Wow Pitch and Shopify began at the Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow in 2018. When pandemic lockdowns happened, Shopify scaled its support and investment in Pow Wow Pitch and Indigenous entrepreneurs across Canada and Turtle Island with a three-year landmark agreement that took Pow Wow Pitch to the next level. Since then, the two organizations have worked together to expand the Pow Wow Pitch’s reach, increase prize funds, launch a Pow Wow Pitch Box program and alumni network, and venture to powwows across Canada and the United States.

Shopify’s Build Native team engages Shopify employees and Indigenous merchants as mentors and judges of Pow Wow Pitch, presenters of the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, and trainers for bootcamps. Kyle St Amour Brennan, the Shopify Build Native Indigenous Entrepreneur Program Manager, also sits on Pow Wow Pitch’s Advisory Board, providing valuable guidance to steer the organization toward a bigger impact on a global scale.

“Working alongside an Indigenous team and leader at Shopify to create solutions for Indigenous entrepreneurs has been so special,” said Sunshine Tenasco, founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “It’s powerful to be co-creating the future of Indigenous business with other Indigenous leaders that share our values of empowerment through business and entrepreneurship. Shopify is constantly empowering us with new ideas, opportunities and solutions to make a bigger impact, and their mounting support has not only grown our confidence in ourselves but has also created the momentum needed to rally other industry partners around us. The gratitude we feel for Kyle, Shopify, and the Build Native Team is immeasurable.”

As Pow Wow Pitch ventures to new powwows this year, establishes good governance as a newly minted non-profit and hires its first full-time team members, Shopify will be right alongside. Later this year, they will be launching a special initiative to build an even larger platform together for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

“From the very beginning, the Build Native team at Shopify has been a trailblazer within our global scale-up, and our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch has enabled us to lend our expertise and support to rise to the opportunity of Indigenous rising,” said Kyle St-Amour Brennan, Build Native Indigenous Entrepreneur Program Manager at Shopify. “At Shopify, we recognize the importance of supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, which is why our investment in Pow Wow Pitch is so critical to us. We see Pow Wow Pitch as one of the most innovative vehicles for building the confidence and community of Indigenous entrepreneurs. As we celebrate the sixth anniversary of our partnership, we are excited to continue working hand in hand with the Pow Wow Pitch team to bring even more opportunities to Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

Indigenous entrepreneurs can immediately benefit from this partnership by leveraging the 60-day Shopify free trial at shopify.com/powwowpitch to bring their ideas to life. 

To learn more about how Shopify is supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, we invite you to visit powwowpitch.org/shopify. Here, you can explore how our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch is empowering Indigenous communities and discover the many ways in which we are working together.

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

Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous-owned businesses across Turtle Island can apply or nominate others for their entrepreneurial perseverance, growth, impact and example as true Indigenous icons of our generation.

“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 and Facebook. 

Applicants and nominees must reside on Turtle Island and be Intuit, 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 July 31, 2021. Winners will be announced and celebrated during a digitally broadcast awards presentation on November 4, 2021.

In addition to the title, Winners receive a unique hand-beaded pin and a plaque encased with a limited edition signed print of ‘Joy,’ a beautiful art piece created by award-winning Indigenous artist Christi Belcourt.

For more information visit: https://www.powwowpitch.org/awards/ 

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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. »

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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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Aujourd’hui, Pow Wow Pitch, une initiative communautaire lancée par et pour les entrepreneurs autochtones, a annoncé l’ouverture de la période de mise en candidature pour les tout premiers prix de l’entrepreneur autochtone qui visent à célébrer l’excellence et les réalisations exceptionnelles des entrepreneurs autochtones.

Les entrepreneurs autochtones et les entreprises appartenant à des autochtones des quatre coins de l’Île de la Tortue peuvent présenter leur candidature ou celle de quelqu’un d’autre pour souligner sa persévérance, sa croissance, ses retombées et son rôle de véritable modèle de la culture autochtone pour notre génération.

« Ces prix permettront de reconnaître les entrepreneurs autochtones qui stimulent la croissance de l’économie autochtone, favorisent la guérison de notre peuple et de nos communautés par l’entrepreneuriat, célèbrent notre diversité culturelle et laissent une empreinte positive pour les prochaines générations par leur rôle de leaders », affirme Sunshine Tenasco, fondatrice de Pow Wow Pitch. « Ils permettront également de rendre hommage à la sagesse, à l’amour, au respect, à la bravoure, à l’honnêteté et à l’humilité des véritables modèles en entrepreneuriat de notre génération, de les remercier et de leur offrir une plateforme pour raconter leurs histoires de résilience et de réconciliation par l’entrepreneuriat. »

Les prix de l’entrepreneur autochtones sont présentés en partenariat avec RBC, Shopify et Facebook.

Les candidats et les personnes qui les présentent doivent être des résidents de l’Île de la Tortue et être Inuits, Métis ou membres des Premières Nations. Il peut s’agir d’entrepreneurs qui exploitent n’importe quel type d’entreprise dans n’importe quelle industrie, pour autant qu’elle soit en activité depuis au moins trois ans.

La période de mise en candidature se termine le 31 juillet 2021. Les gagnants seront annoncés et célébrés pendant la diffusion virtuelle de la remise des prix le 4 novembre 2021.

En plus du titre, les gagnants recevront une épinglette perlée à la main unique ainsi qu’une plaque encadrée avec un tirage limité d’une affiche « Joy », une magnifique œuvre d’art réalisée et signée par l’artiste autochtone primée Christi Belcourt.

Pour en savoir plus, visitez le powwowpitch.org/awards/.

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Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced Invest Ottawa as a Seed Sponsor to support Indigenous entrepreneurs access training, mentorship, funding and a platform to showcase and celebrate their stories.

Pow Wow Pitch launched seven years ago at the Ottawa Summer Solstice Pow Wow, founded by local Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg entrepreneur Sunshine Tenasco, with the support of local mentors, judges and sponsors. 

In 2020, with pandemic cancellations of pow wows, Pow Wow Pitch moved online to reach hundreds of Indigenous entrepreneurs across every province and territory. This year, Pow Wow Pitch is scaling across Turtle Island, expecting more than 1,000 pitchers from across the continent. 

Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenasco and Invest Ottawa have a longstanding relationship to support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the National Capital Region; including, bootcamps, programs and mentorship services, and International Women’s Week (IWW) events as part of the Digital Main Street Future Proof Program delivered by Invest Ottawa.

Invest Ottawa is building on its relationship with Sunshine to extend its support to Pow Wow Pitch as an Indigneous-led community-driven initiative. 

“We are committed to becoming a better ally, supporting sustainable change, and empowering diverse entrepreneurs from every walk of life who drive our economic growth,” said Sonya Shorey, Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Communications, Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards and Area X.O. “We know the path to Truth and Reconciliation includes acknowledging the injustice and harm done to Indigenous people, past and present, and addressing the inequities that persist. We are honoured to collaborate with Sunshine and Pow Wow Pitch to support community-led action, and help fuel the growth and success of Indigenous entrepreneurs today and tomorrow.”

“I am so proud Invest Ottawa is supporting Pow Wow Pitch to reach and support more Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Having the hometown support of our community helps us stand taller as entrepreneurs so we can grow confidently knowing our community is rallying for the success of Indigenous entrepreneurs.”   

Invest Ottawa will help adjudicate the Ontario Semi-finals, provide the top 25 Finalists with an Accelerator workshop, and contribute prize dollars for winning entrepreneurs through this partnership. 

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