Indigenous entrepreneurs, pre-register now to pitch in Ottawa on June 25, 2022
Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta and Mastercard, announced its new partnership with the Summer Solstic Indigenous Festival to put the spotlight on Indigenous entrepreneurs
The 27th annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival takes place in Ottawa, Ontario, from June 21-26, 2022, and features the Summer Solstice Pow Wow, Marketplace and many other events that celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples!.
For the 7th time, Summer Solstice has invited Pow Wow Pitch to come to celebrate and put the spotlight on Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, filmmakers, and innovators attending the Pow Pow.
Vendors and attendees will have the opportunity to pitch to win cash prizes to take their ideas and businesses to the next level.
To enter, vendors and entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited audition spots here: powwowpitch.org/summer-solstice, with a few slots reserved on the lottery for those who just turn up and want to pitch. To Audition, entrepreneurs will have 1-Minute to Pitch their ideas or businesses for a chance to win!
The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors before pitching on the Celebration Stage in front of the judges and the Summer Solstice Community. Prizes include $5,000 for 1st Place, $2,500 for 2nd Place, $1,000 for 3rd Place, $500 for the Youth Prize and $500 for the Fan Favourite. In addition, the 1st Place Winner will also get a Golden Ticket to the Turtle Island Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000.
“We are honoured and excited to bring Pow Wow Pitch back to the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, on the ground with community, celebrating and showcasing Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs and artists of all kinds,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Entrepreneurship is an important tool for reclamation, and through sharing our stories, ideas, and businesses, we can grow the Indigenous economy together, our way.”
“The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is thrilled to be hosting Pow Wow Pitch once again,” said Trina Mather-Simard, Executive Director & Producer of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. “This incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs started right here on our Celebration Stage. Each year we are blown away by the brilliance of our Indigenous community and love to watch them confidently pitch and ultimately grow their idea into a successful business.”
Regardless of whether they make it to the Top 10, all those who audition will still have a chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch digital semi-finals and join the Pow Wow Pitch community. All pitchers will get access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, get 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 2,500 customers and on the Pow Wow Pitch Marketplace launching later this year for socially-conscious customers looking to ‘Buy Indigenous.’
To learn more and pre-register for Pow Wow Pitch at Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, visit: powwowpitch.org/summer-solstice.