IN PARTNERSHIP WITH


Prizes:

$5,000 1st Prize + Gold Ticket to Pitch at 2025 Grand Finale
$2,500 2nd Prize
$1,000 3rd Prize
$500 Youth Prize
$500 Fan Favourite
+9 spots fast tracked to 2026 Semi-Finals

Where and When:

Elsipogtog Powwow Grounds
1072 Route 510 Lower Main River, NB
August 30, 2025 | Starting at 9 AM

Do you run a business or have a business idea and are a resident of New Brunswick?

Are you going to the Elsipogtog Powwow in Elsipogtog First Nation, NB on August 30th?

Pre-Register Now to Pitch to WIN!

Join us live at the Elsipogtog Powwow in Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick, on August 30, 2025, and share your 1-minute business pitch to win cash prizes and the entire community's support!

Who qualifies?

Any Indigenous person with a business idea or a business of any type and in any industry can pitch for a chance to win cash prizes and gain a community of support. Please note the Elsipogtog Pow Wow Pitch is exclusive to residents of New Brunswick.


All participants get: 

  • Access to a community of ongoing support.
  • Free access to the Indigenous Startup Program.
  • A free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA.
  • The chance to be featured in the Pow Wow Pitch Box.

Pow Wow Pitch Schedule

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Register at the Pow Wow Pitch Table 

Sign in at the Pow Wow Pitch table and get your nametag and number.

10:00 - 11:00 AM - First Round Pitch

Pitch for 1-minute to the judges inside the arbour.

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM - Top 10 Announcement 

Join us right before Grand Entry as we announce the Top 10 and pair them with mentors to prepare for the Final Pitch.

5:00 - 6:00 PM - Top 10 Pitch to Judges

The Top 10 will present their final 1-Minute Pitch followed by 2-minutes of Q&A with the Judges in front of the audience.

6:45 - 7:00 PM - Winner Announcements and Fan Favourite Voting

Pow Wow Pitch announces the Elsipogtog Pow Wow Pitch Winners and Fan Favourite! Make sure you have your friends and family there to cheer you on!

 

How to Participate:

STEP 1 - Complete the pre-registration form.
STEP 2 - Arrive to Elsipogtog Powwow at 9:00 AM to register at the Pow Wow Pitch table.
STEP 3 - Line up at 9:45 AM and get ready to pitch.
STEP 4 - Present your 1-Minute Pitch.
STEP 5 - Come back 11:45 AM to find out if you made it to the Top 10. 

When you pre-register, we will send you all of the details at least 1 week before the powwow. 

What to Include in Your 1-Minute Pitch:

  • Introduce yourself and where you are from.
  • Tell us the name of your business and what you want to sell or already sell.
  • Tell us how you would use $25,000 to take your idea or business to the next level.
  • BONUS: Tell us why you want to do this? Who is part of your team? Your traction to date? Your vision for the future?

How your Pitch is evaluated:

/5 PRESENTATION - Has the entrepreneur communicated their product/service, value proposition and a pathway to sustainability and success?
/5 EXECUTION - Has the entrepreneur convinced the judges that they will follow through with their business goals?
/5 MOTIVATION - Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated how they will use the money to start or take that next step?
/5 COMMUNITY IMPACT - Has the entrepreneur outlined how their initiative will create a positive impact on their community?

Questions?

If you have any questions, email hello@powwowpitch.org.