Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to explore international trade Growth Of Indigenous Entrepreneurs
Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition and non-profit organization supporting emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, announced Export Development Canada (EDC) as a Silver Partner for its 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Program.
Pow Wow Pitch is set to support more than 2,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs in 2022 with mentorship, funding, training, marketing and a safe and trusted community of support. EDC’s investment is helping Pow Wow Pitch to scale its virtual programs, re-enter communities with on-the-ground support across Canada, and scale its programming to support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the United States and New Zealand.
“We are proud to partner for a second year with EDC as we scale Pow Wow Pitch internationally while growing the global ambitions of early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs here in Canada,” said Sunshine Tenasco, the Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Our shared activities and research will help Indigenous entrepreneurs deepen their community roots while growing their impact globally through the development of the Indigenous economy and Indigenous-to-Indigenous global trade.”
In addition to supporting Pow Wow Pitch as a Silver-Level Sponsor and engaging EDC employees as mentors, trusted advisors, and judges for virtual pitch contests and on the ground at pow wows across Canada, EDC and Pow Wow Pitch will collaborate on research and outreach related to export awareness and activities of early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs.
“Trade was central to Indigenous prosperity prior to European settlement, and we believe that exporting can be an effective way for Indigenous entrepreneurs today to build sustainable businesses,” says Todd Evans, National Lead for Indigenous Exporters at EDC. “Our partnership with Pow Wow Pitch helps EDC make trade more inclusive by expanding access to our trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections.”
As a judge in the 2021 Pow Wow Pitch Prairie Region Semifinals, Evans was personally inspired by the pitches he heard. “Our work building sustainable, profitable export opportunities for Indigenous companies carries a community aspect that is incredibly important to me,” says Evans. “Working with Pow Wow Pitch connects EDC with a growing network of First Nations, Inuit and Metis entrepreneurs who are creating self-reliance, self-sufficiency and financial sovereignty for their communities by launching innovative businesses. I’m excited to renew our partnership, meet this year’s participants, and support Pow Wow Pitch’s own push to go global.”
To learn more about the partnership between Pow Wow Pitch and EDC, visit https://www.powwowpitch.org/EDC.
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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. In addition, community leadership through volunteerism is promoted to reflect respect and reciprocity as the foundation of the Pow Wow Pitch. For more information, visit https://www.powwowpitch.org/.
About EDC
Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip Canadian companies with the tools they need—trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections—to grow their business with confidence. Underlying all of our support is a commitment to sustainable and responsible business. We work with Indigenous businesses to bring their products and services to worldwide markets, supporting economic self-reliance and community prosperity. For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-800-229-0575 or visit www.edc.ca.