In celebration of Indigenous entrepreneurship and empowerment across Canada, Pow Wow Pitch is pleased to announce the launch of its 2020 Pow Wow Pitch competition, presented by RBC. Running from June 22, 2020 through October 20, 2020, Pow Wow Pitch 2020 will offer Indigenous entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete in a virtual, three round pitching contest, with winners awarded prizes up to $10 000.
In partnership with RBC, Shopify, Canada Post, BDC and NACCA, Pow Wow Pitch 2020 will be hosted virtually for the first time, giving entrepreneurs nationwide the opportunity to “pitch” their business idea via video submission starting June 21, 2020. 125 finalists will be selected and will work one-on-one with a business mentor before pitching their ideas via Facebook Live from September 21 to 25, 2020. From there, the Top 25 will pitch a second time with the hopes of becoming one of 3 national winners or 13 provincial winners selected on October 20, 2020.
Launched in 2015, Pow Wow Pitch was first founded by social entrepreneur Sunshine Tenasco with the aim of empowering and elevating other Indigenous entrepreneurs through mentorship, exposure, and start-up funding. Held annually each year during the Summer Solstice Festival in Ottawa, the competition has awarded prizes to over 20 entrepreneurs over the past six years, ranging from photography businesses to soap producers.
“Good business and trade have always been a part of Indigenous ways. We dealt with fairness and we knew that honesty, love for community, and strong relationships are the way we all prosper. It’s time to show the world what ‘good trade’ means,” says Sunshine Tenasco
“Indigenous businesses will play a huge role in Canada’s economic recovery, but this can only be achieved if Canada works in partnership with Indigenous nations toward full economic reconciliation,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “We are proud to partner with Pow Wow Pitch, a First Nations-owned enterprise, shaping Canada’s future and providing a supportive, collaborative and empowering environment for Indigenous Entrepreneurs.”
The call for video submissions for Pow Wow Pitch opened Sunday, June 21, 2020. Details and rules of the competition can be found at: https://www.powwowpitch.org/
About Pow Wow Pitch
Founded in 2015 by Sunshine Tenasco, who was inspired to pay it forward and give Indigenous people the same drive and inspiration she felt when she pitched her business idea on the Dragons’ Den. Pow Wow Pitch supports Indigenous Entrepreneurs through micro start-up cash and mentorship while providing a safe, supportive, collaborative and empowering environment that addresses the challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
About RBC Indigenous Financial Services Group
For more than 100 years, RBC has been building strong 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, community and social development, employment, education and training and procurement. RBC also provides donations and grants that support Indigenous interests. More information is available at: https://www.rbc.com/indigenous