IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Pow Wow Pitch Prizes:

$5,000 1st Prize + Gold Ticket to Pitch at Grand Finale
$2,500 2nd Prize
$1,000 3rd Prize
$500 Youth Prize
$500 Fan Favourite

North Forge Prize:

1-year Membership to Fabrication Lab, valued at $1,980

Where and When:

Manito Ahbee Festival
Red River Exhibition Park
3977 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB
May 17, 2024 | Starting at 9:00 a.m.

How to Participate:

STEP 1 - Complete the pre-registration form.
STEP 2 - Make sure you have your tickets for the Manito Ahbee Festival.
STEP 3 - Arrive at 9:00 a.m. to check-in at the Pow Wow Pitch Registration Table in Exhibition Place to receive your name tag and number.
STEP 4 - Line up at the mic at 9:45 a.m. by number to pitch your business.
STEP 5 - Go to the Ignite Our Spirit Stage at 1:00 p.m. to find out if you made the Top 10.

When you pre-register, we will send you all of the details. 

Do you run a business or have a business idea?

Are you going to the Manito Ahbee Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 17th?

Pre-Register Now and Pitch to WIN!

Join us live at the Manito Ahbee Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 17, 2025 and share your 1-minute business pitch to win funds and the support of the entire community!

Who qualifies?

Any Indigenous person with a business idea or a business of any type and in any industry can pitch for a chance to win cash prizes and gain a community of support.


All participants receive: 

  • Access to a community of ongoing support.
  • Free access to the Indigenous Startup Program
  • A free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA
  • The chance to be featured in the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Box

Pow Wow Pitch Schedule - SATURDAY, May 17th

9:00 a.m. - Registration Desk Opens @ Exhibition Place

10:00 - 11:00  a.m. - First Round Pitches @ Exhibition Place

Pitch your business or business idea in 1-minute.

1:00 - 1:15 p.m. - Top 10 Announcement @ Ignite Our Spirit Stage

The Top 10 are annouonced and paired with mentors to prepare for the final Pitch.

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Top 10 Pitch to Judges @ Ignite Our Spirit Stage

The Top 10 will take the stage with their final 1-minute Pitch followed by 2-minutes of Q&A with the Judges in front of the Ignite Our Spirit Stage audience.

5:00 - 5:15 p.m. - Winners Announcement and Fan Favourite Voting @ Ignite Our Spirit Stage

Pow Wow Pitch announces the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow Pitch Winners and Fan Favourite! Join us for a group pic and get interviewed by Pow Wow Pitch!

 

What to Include in Your 1-Minute Pitch:

  • Introduce yourself and where you are from.
  • Tell us the name of your business and share your key product or service
  • Tell us how you would use $25,000 to take your idea or business to the next level.
  • BONUS: Tell us why you want to do this? Who is part of your team? Your traction to date? Your vision for the future?

How your Pitch is scored:

/5 PRESENTATION - Has the entrepreneur communicated their product/service, value proposition and a pathway to sustainability and success?
/5 EXECUTION - Has the entrepreneur convinced the judges that they will follow through on their business goals?
/5 MOTIVATION - Has the entrepreneur clearly communicated how they will use the money to start or take that next step?
/5 COMMUNITY IMPACT - Has the entrepreneur outlined how their initiative will create a positive impact on their community?

Questions?

If you have any questions, email hello@powwowpitch.org.