2024 POW WOW PITCH
VIRTUAL JUDGE BRIEFING
Thank you for being a Judge for the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Competition! This webpage is designed to provide you with everything you need to know to have a successful judging experience supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs participating in the Pow Wow Pitch Competition.
ABOUT THE PITCH
Pow Wow Pitch is a pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island to shine the spotlight on pow wow vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level. Meet our 2024 Semi-Finalists.
SEMI-FINAL RECORDING DATES
August 6, 2024:
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET: Non-for-Profit
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET: Tourism
August 7, 2024:
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET: Knowledge Services
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET: Consumer Products & Retail
August 8, 2024:
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET: Health & Wellness and Innovation
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET: Professional Services & Trades
August 9, 2024:
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET: Food & Drink
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET: Creative
August 12, 2024:
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET: Youth and Startup
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET: Tech
August 13, 2024:
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM ET: Fashion
October 3, 2024:
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET: Grand Finale
THE ROLE OF JUDGES
During the Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finals, judges listen to and evaluate the pitches presented by entrepreneurs. To ensure a thorough understanding of each entrepreneur's business and potential, judges ask questions and engage in discussion.
Following the presentation, judges score each pitch based on predetermined criteria. However, the scoring process isn't the only way judges provide support. In addition to scores, judges also provide constructive feedback to each entrepreneur, regardless of the outcome of the competition.
This feedback aims to help entrepreneurs improve their business by identifying areas of strength and opportunities for growth. The judges' goal is to provide meaningful and actionable feedback that will benefit each entrepreneur, regardless of whether they advance to the next stage of the competition.
HOW THE ENTREPRENEURS WILL BE EVALUATED
PRESENTATION
Has the entrepreneur communicated their product/service, value proposition and a pathway to sustainability and success?
EXECUTION
Has the entrepreneur convinced the judges that they will follow through on their business goals?
MOTIVATION
Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated how they will use the money to start or take that next step?
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Has the entrepreneur demonstrated they have impacted or have plans to impact their community as part of their business model and mandate?
TIMELINE
JUDGE ONBOARDING EMAIL
JUDGE ORIENTATION & TECH CHECKS
July 17 and 18
SEMI-FINAL JUDGING
AUGUST 6 to 13
SEMI-FINAL RELEASE DATES
SEPTEMBER 3 to 17
Semi-Finalist episodes will be published on our website every evening at 6:00 PM ET September 3-17.
GRAND FINALE SHOW FILMING
GRAND FINALE WATCH PARTY
FEEDBACK DEADLINE
JUDGE SUPPORT
As a judge, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the adjudication process, or have difficulty connecting on the day of the recording, please contact naomi@powwowpitch.org. Please include JUDGE in your subject line to ensure your email receives priority.
SHARE THE NEWS
We invite you to spread the news on social media. Feel free to use the post below for inspiration and download the graphics and frame to promote your involvement!
I am so proud to be a Judge for Pow Wow Pitch to support and encourage Indigenous entrepreneurs as they pitch to win funds and support to start up and take their business ideas to the next level! Good luck to all of the entrepreneurs! ❤️
TIPS FOR ADJUDICATING
Each entrepreneur has 1 minute to pitch their business and 2 Minutes of Q&A with the judges. Judges then have 2 minutes to complete their evaluation forms for each entrepreneur they meet. Each judge will assess approximately 10-15 pitches in a pre-recorded session that will be edited for content to be shared online.
Ask pointed and concise questions that will help you understand the business and the entrepreneur better to make a more informed decision in scoring. There is only time for 2 minutes of Q&A so the longer you take asking the question, you are taking time away from the entrepreneur to answer it and to field other questions from the judges.
If you feel an entrepreneur didn't have time to speak to a particular aspect of their business, you can help them by asking a question to give them a platform to provide you with additional information.
This is a very intimidating experience for many entrepreneurs. Visual cues like smiling and nodding help them feel reassured. For most, this is their first time pitching.
This is a very diverse pool of entrepreneurs at varying stages. Please tailor the sophistication of your questioning to be accessible to the entrepreneur you are meeting.
Avoid jargon and acronyms - e.g. MVP, ROI, etc. Many are at a very early stage and brand new to the world of business.
GET INSPIRED
Hear some of the feedback from judges who took part in past Pow Wow Pitches.
IDEAS FOR QUESTIONS
Please find below possible questions you may wish to ask during the 2 minute Q&A portion of the Pow Wow Pitch.
READINESS/MOTIVATION (for early-stage entrepreneurs)
- What steps have you taken to date with your business?
- What motivated you to start your business?
- Where would you like to see your business in 5 years?
PRODUCT/SERVICE
- How are you marketing your product/service?
- What is your go-to-market strategy ? (e.g. online, trade shows, B2B, franchise, etc.)
- Do you have global ambitions for your business? If so, how will you reach your customers
- What makes your product/service unique? How will you stand out above the crowd?
- What has been your traction to date? What are some of your biggest achievements?
TEAM
- What is your background?
- Tell us about your team or support network around you.
FINANCIALS
- What have been your revenues this year?
- What are your projections for next year?
- What is your profit margin for each product you sell?
- If you win the Pow Wow Pitch, how will you use the funds to boost your business?
COMMUNITY IMPACT
- How do you build Indigenous values and community into your business?
- How have you impacted your community or how do you plan to impact your community through your business?
- How do you involve your community in your business?
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
All Judges and Pitchers (Participants) must conduct an onbaording call with the Pow Wow Pitch Team to ascertain video, audio and Internet quality before participating in the sessions. To ensure consistency and avoid technical issues, we ask participants to set up in advance (computer equipment, location and internet connection) and ensure that the technical setup will remain the same setup for use on the day of the session. Changing the setup may result in unexpected technical problems.
Setup YOUR TECHNOLOGY IN ADVANCE
Desktop computer or laptop
Desktop computer or laptop with a charged battery plugged into a power outlet (personal computers on personal networks work best, as sometimes highly secure office computers and networks may have firewalls that prohibit proper Internet connection. Do not use a mobile device.
Webcam
Webcam (clean the lens to ensure no fingerprints).
USB microphone
USB microphone with earbuds or a USB headset with an attached microphone.
Wired internet connection
Wired Internet connection (do not use WiFi as wireless is not reliable). A participant's recording will reside online into the foreseeable future. Participants need to ensure the brands they represent will be presented in the highest quality possible. A dedicated wired connection to the internet ensures you will not have poor video or audio quality or dropouts.
IMPORTANT: It is imperative participants use a reliable internet connection as re-recording, editing or re-scheduling at a later date will not be possible.
Location
Quiet, indoor location free from clutter, people, pets or copyrighted materials, i.e. art in the background.
Lighting
Well-lit space. Turn on all lights and open window blinds. Position yourself in front of light sources, avoid major key light sources coming from behind.
PROFESSIONAL TIPS
Easy yet powerful tips to keep in mind
In some cases session clips may end up in television broadcasts or other professional outlets. Here are some simple DIY tips to ensure your recording remains professional.
TIP 1: It is not flattering to look up someone's nose. Notice that on a desktop computer your webcam is located on top of your monitor and is already close to your eye-level height. If you are using a laptop, elevate your laptop and webcam position so that the lens is at eye-level (avoid upward/downward angles with your webcam). You may have to use a tall stack of books to achieve this.
TIP 2: Come close enough to the webcam so that the top of your head touches the top of your webcam video. Do not sit far away from your camera. Stay centred and in the middle of your webcam video. Pay attention to your body posture and avoid slouching or leaning off to either side.
TIP 3: Speak clearly and project your voice. Business casual wardrobe is recommended.