Pow Wow Pitch

Exciting announcement on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast! We invite you to join us for a new episode featuring Holly Atjecoutay, Director of the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program at Futurpreneur. “We need to rebuild prosperous Indigenous economies and the only way to do that is one entrepreneur at a time.” Holly shares her journey of empowering Indigenous youth through entrepreneurship and redefining the concept of 'Money as Medicine.' Tune in and gain insights into the Futurpreneur Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program, along with their latest Financial Literacy Series and explore pathways to financial security and entrepreneurial success. Listen now at powwowpitch.org/podcast! Co-presented by RBC Shopify Mastercard Indigenous Prosperity Foundation & 4 Generations Creations (Ashley Michel) #PowWowPitchPodcast #HollyAtjecoutay #Futurpreneur #IndigenousEntrepreneurship #MoneyAsMedicine #Empowerment

🌍 Wondering how to take your Indigenous business global? Joella Hogan, Founder of Yukon Soaps Company, has a hot tip for you: Research your target market! 🔍 Leverage resources like Export Development Canada to pinpoint where your products resonate most. Learn more at powwowpitch.org/edc Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada the yukon soaps company Joella Hogan #GlobalExpansion #MarketResearch #IndigenousEntrepreneurs #TuesdayTip

Join us on the Pow Wow Pitch Podcast for a new episode featuring Bobbie Racette, the 2022 Indigenous Entrepreneur Award Winner and the visionary behind The Virtual Gurus and VG OnDemand. “You have to lead from the bottom up to create that safe environment. It starts with not only your employees, but with everybody.” Explore how Bobbie is transforming the virtual assistance industry, promoting diversity, creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, and dismantling systemic barriers! Listen now at powwowpitch.org/podcast! Co-Presented by RBC Shopify Mastercard Indigenous Prosperity Foundation & 4 Generations Creations (Ashley Michel) #PowWowPitchPodcast #BobbieRacette #VirtualGurus #IndigenousEntrepreneur #EntrepreneurialInnovation

💼 Want to set yourself up for financial success as an Indigenous entrepreneur? Bobbie Racette, Founder of Virtual Gurus, has a top tip: Protect your runway! 🌟 Your runway is the amount of money you have to sustain your business until the end of the year. Aim for a longer runway to achieve profitability quicker. Learn more at powwowpitch.org/rbc #TuesdayTip RBC Bobbie Racette Virtual Gurus

Explore our curated Powwow Collection at powwowmarket.ca, featuring Indigenous-made jewelry, personal-care, and accessories. Hit the powwow trail with must-have Indigenous products so you’re ready to experience gatherings all summer long! Featuring curated products from: 4 Generations Creations (Ashley Michel) Bastien Industries Bougie Birch Eagle Woman Prints Eiralize Lashes Eyeconic Warriors Nativelovenotes Nuez Acres® Red Rebel Armour Inc SACRD THNDR Sweetgrass Soapery Shop now and make a difference with every purchase! Visit powwowmarket.ca/powwow #ShopIndigenous #PowWowMarket #PowWowPitch  🪶 Presented by RBC Shopify Mastercard Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) National Association of Friendship Centres | Association nationale des Centres d'amitié NACCA Canada Post / Postes Canada Jelly Academy Futurpreneur Aritzia Sklar Wilton & Associates Invest Ottawa CIRA Best Buy Canada Artik All Nations Trust Co MINI TIPI Wabanaki Maple Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) & Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN)

We are so proud to announce the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finalists! Congratulations to the +200 entrepreneurs who shared their hearts, ideas, and stories with us. We are working on unlocking new ways to support you and your businesses! Meet the top 100 Indigenous entrepreneurs that will pitch their business and have a chance to advance to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Finals! Explore who this year’s Semi-Finalists are with the link in bio or at https://lnkd.in/ghHCz9ez! Mīgwech to this year’s sponsors! RBC Shopify Mastercard Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) National Association of Friendship Centres | Association nationale des Centres d'amitié NACCA Canada Post / Postes Canada Jelly Academy Futurpreneur Aritzia Sklar Wilton & Associates Invest Ottawa CIRA Best Buy Canada Raven Indigenous Capital Partners Wabanaki Maple Artik MINI TIPI All Nations Trust Co Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN) & Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) #PowWowPitch #SemiFinalist #IndigenousEntrepreneur #Congratulations

Congratulations to the winners of the Kamloopa Pow Wow Pitch! ❤️ The 1st Place $5,000 Prize was awarded to Dolly Kruger, Founder of SilverSky Cradle & Casket, for her work in preserving sacred traditions for those who have passed. Dolly, you are an inspiration and we are so proud of you! The 2nd Place $2,500 Prize and Fan Favourite $500 Prize went to Janelle Alladina, Founder of Indiginize Creation, for her collaborative efforts with other Indigenous artists. Congratulations, Janelle! The 3rd Place $1000 Prize went to Patrice Pelegrin, Founder of @Skukwza Cleaning, for her positive impact in her community. Congratulations, Patrice! The Youth $500 Prize went to Delissa Isaac, the 12-year old Founder of Rerun The Runway, for offering eco-friendly alternatives to fashion. Congratulations, Delissa! Pow Wow Pitch would like to thank Kamloopa Powwow and Melissa Mathias for partnering and welcoming us back to Secwepemcúl’ecw Territory. We are always blown away by the immense talent in British Columbia and grateful to continue uplifting Indigenous entrepreneurship together. Thank you to this year’s local presenting partners, Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN) and All Nations Trust Co and their teams for supporting us! Special thanks to our judges for the event, 4 Generations Creations (Ashley Michel), Jonathan Critch, Elisabeth Guida, April Paul, Preeti Hiro, Tracy Antoine, Mansur Ali Mirani, George Casimir, Pat Fosbery, & Holly Atjecoutay for taking time to judge this year’s pitch competition and for lending your expertise to support Indigenous entrepreneurship! Read more about this event here https://lnkd.in/eAycRwiq Presented by RBC Shopify & Mastercard #KamloopaPowWow #PowWowPitch #Congratulations

Congratulations to the winners of the Summer Solstice Pow Wow Pitch! ❤️ The 1st Place $5,000 Prize was awarded to Charity Fleming, Co-Owner of Qualia Counselling Services, for her work and dedication to expanding mental health resources for Indigenous youth. Great work, Charity!  The 2nd Place $2500 Prize went to Jennifer & Drew Tenasco, Founders of Tendesi Air Fresheners, for their scalability and creative innovation. Congratulations, Jennifer & Drew! The 3rd Place $1000 Prize went to Pandora Wilhem, Founder of Mulberry Design & Engravings, for their motivation to restore Indigenous languages through Early Learning Resources. Congratulations, Pandora! The Fan Favourite $500 Prize and Youth $500 Prize went to Kayden Tolley, Founder of Kayden’s Klean Up, for their initiative to make opportunities for Indigenous youth and positive impact in community. Congratulations, Kayden! Pow Wow Pitch would like to thank Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, Trina Simard, and Jacky Bell for partnering and welcoming us back to Anishinābeg Algonquin Territory. We are always blown away by the immense talent in Ottawa and surrounding area, and grateful to continue uplifting Indigenous entrepreneurship together. Special thanks to our judges for the event, Tamer Gabbour, Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Kate Karn, Relay Tangie, CPA, FCCA, Trisha Pitura, Patricia Vincent, Sonya Shorey, Paula Hopkins, Althea Wishloff, Monika Sofrenovic, Libier Gomez, Jocelyn W Formsma and Jonathan Critch, for taking time to judge this year’s pitch competition and for lending your expertise to support Indigenous entrepreneurship! Read more about this event here https://lnkd.in/eDZgCnwW Presented by RBC Shopify & Mastercard and supported locally by Invest Ottawa MINI TIPI and ADAAWE HUB #SummerSolstice #PowWowPitch #Congratulations

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! 🪶🌈 As we welcome the summer solstice, we honour the light of the sun and celebrate the light within each of you. Today, and every day, we honour the diverse, creative, and innovative Indigenous entrepreneurs who are making waves in various industries across Turtle Island. From traditional crafts to cutting-edge tech, your contributions are shaping a brighter economic future for all. Supporters, you can show your support by pre-ordering the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Box or buying from the Pow Wow Market, each featuring beautiful Indigenous products from Pow Wow Pitch alumni. Your support makes a difference! 🌟 ‘Ring’ by Chief Lady Bird (Nancy King), 2023 Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards Official Artwork #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay #SupportIndigenousBusinesses #IndigenousEntrepreneurship

Here’s a story of how a great idea + endless determination + unbelievable energy came together to spark positive change in Indigenous communities nationwide.   Recently we spoke with social entrepreneur Sunshine Tenasco, who shared her incredible tale of launching and growing Pow Wow Pitch — think Dragons’ Den for Indigenous entrepreneurs — to elevate the skills, confidence and success of aspiring Indigenous business owners. “When one of us wins, we all win,” she says.   She got the idea after she, herself, pitched to the Dragons in 2010, securing $20,000 in financing for her baby moccasin business and something even more valuable: confidence.   Chatting with us from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, the Algonquin First Nation in Quebec, where she was born and raised, Sunshine shared how Indigenous entrepreneurs benefit most when they can see a supportive, positive community rooting for them. “We are the ultimate cheerleaders,” she says. “Everyone who pitches leaves with more confidence than when they arrived.”   And that confidence is already paying dividends. Today, Indigenous business ownership is five times that of self-employed Canadians and contributes an estimated $30 billion annually to the economy (projected to grow to $100 billion by 2025). Certainly, a reason to promote, invest in and buy from Indigenous suppliers and innovators!   Today, Pow Wow Pitch supports thousands of aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island — everyone from soap makers and dancers to trucking companies and artists — offering a total of $100,000 in prize money annually, as well as access to mentorship, pitch training, promotional opportunities, a virtual marketplace and more.   Read about Sunshine’s amazing founder story and some of the ways you can get involved in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gE72dUdj   We celebrate change-makers like Sunshine and other Indigenous entrepreneurs for creating such a positive impact on their communities. #entrepreneur #founderstory #leadership