Alumni Network
The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Network is a community of Alumni working together to support the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs through sharing knowledge and financial resources.
"By sharing and combining resources, our generation can do more good things for future generations." - Matthew Nahdee
ALUMNI NETWORK
The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Network is a community of Indigenous entrepreneurs who have participated in Pow Wow Pitch and pitch in and work together to empower the next generation.
In 2022, thanks to the generous support of Mastercard, we were able to commit more than $35,000 in prizes and grants to support Pow Wow Pitch initiatives and entrepreneurs through the Alumni Network. The Alumni-led contributions to and allocation of these resources are important in establishing the foundations of Indigenous-led economic growth.
ALUMNI COLLABORATIONS
The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Network is proud to have supported Indigenous entrepreneurs and Pow Wow Pitch participants this year with a variety of initiatives, including #MotivationMondays and InstaPitch competitions throughout the Spring in partnership with Nativelovenotes, portraits of 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Finalists in partnership with Black Girls NFT, and communications and rule revision support for Kamloopa Powwow.
ALUMNI PRIZES
In 2021, the Alumni Network selected its first-ever Alumni Prize Winner of $5,000 to be Kendall White, Founder and CEO of Baamaapii Boxes from the Temagami First Nation.
In 2022, the Alumni Network grew its support by selecting three Semi-Finalists to receive $1,000 and advance to the Finals as 'Alumni Choice Finalists' and awarded three Finalists with an 'Alumni Prize,' each receiving $5,000 in recognition of their impact. The 'Alumni Choice Finalists' included Kahentawaks Tiewishaw (Founder of Revital Software), Samanntha De Coteau (founder of Roofer Girl Inc.) and Cece Meadows (Founder of Prados Beauty). The 'Alumni Prize Winners' were Cece Meadows (Founder of Prados Beauty), Teresa Saunders (Founder of FILL Vernon) and Artist Taalrumiq Christina King.
This achievement by the Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Network serves as an inspiring example of how we can unite and grow Indigenous entrepreneurship.
JOIN THE ALUMNI NETWORK
All Indigenous entrepreneurs who have pitched online or in-person for Pow Wow Pitch in any year are welcome to join us.
Joining the Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Network is an opportunity to give back and access exclusive benefits. By joining, you'll have a chance to be included in the Pow Wow Pitch Shop in partnership with Shopify and the Alumni Impact Fund. You'll also get access to promotional opportunities for growth and a say in how funds are allocated among Alums.
Email hello@powwowpitch.org to join with the subject line: JOIN ALUMNI NETWORK and the year in which you pitched.