Pow Wow Pitch, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with Best Buy Canada through 2024. Best Buy’s investment is helping Pow Wow Pitch to support more Indigenous youth worldwide through financing, one-on-one mentorship, and access to necessary technology to jumpstart their businesses.
As a Seed Partner, Best Buy Canada supports the Youth Category of Pow Wow Pitch, offering mentorship for Indigenous youth under 19 to refine their pitches. Best Buy Canada also plays a crucial role in the adjudication process for the Youth Category, aiding in the selection of the $1,000 Youth Prize Winner, who will proceed to the Grand Finale to compete for $25,000.
As part of the partnership, Indigenous youth entrepreneurs across Canada can submit a ‘Request for Tech’ at powwowpitch.org/tech-4-youth to apply for the necessary technology to launch and operate their businesses. Both Pow Wow Pitch and Best Buy Canada will evaluate these requests to facilitate Indigenous youth in realizing their ambitions. Deadline to apply is June 21st, apply now!
The success of the Tech 4 Youth program over the past two years has put technology in the hands of 24 young Indigenous entrepreneurs, providing them with mentorship, training and a community of support as they grow their entrepreneurial skills.
Best Buy Canada maintains a commitment to making a positive community impact through programs and partnerships that promote tech connectivity for youth and the opening of opportunities. To understand more about Best Buy’s community efforts, visit bestbuy.ca/socialimpact.
“We are excited to once again support Pow Wow Pitch by providing technology, mentorship, and funding for Indigenous youth as they prepare to be future entrepreneurs,” said Jen Knight, Social Impact Manager, Best Buy Canada. “Our employees have such a meaningful experience mentoring these young entrepreneurs, and we’re proud to continue helping to amplify the amazing work being done by Pow Wow Pitch across Canada.”
“Youth are the heart and future of our Indigenous communities.” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “We need to support their potential, recognize and nurture their dreams, and provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to make them happen. That’s why we are so excited to continue our partnership with Best Buy this year in providing young Indigenous entrepreneurs with the technology necessary to take action on their dreams.”
By investing in Pow Wow Pitch, Best Buy Canada aims to maintain a commitment to making a positive impact to Indigenous entrepreneurship. This partnership exemplifies how corporate entities can support Indigenous entrepreneurship and work towards economic reconciliation in Canada.
About Pow Wow Pitch
Pow Wow Pitch is an entrepreneurship program for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, which provides a safe, supportive, collaborative, empowering and culturally supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. Pow Wow Pitch enhances, develops and accelerates the growth for current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way through programs and resources. Community leadership through volunteerism is promoted as a reflection of respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch.
For more information, visit powwowpitch.org.
About Best Buy Canada
A wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada’s largest and most innovative omnichannel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, and Geek Squad ( www.geeksquad.ca ) brands. With over 160 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across Canada and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca, Best Buy is a leader in total retail, catering to customers how, when, and where they want to shop. Best Buy Canada is committed to making a positive impact in the community with programs and partnerships that support youth to connect with technology to advance their education.
For more information, visit BestBuy.ca