Calling all Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitobat Indigenous youth to start businesses
Today, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta and Mastercard, announced its new partnership with the Manito Ahbee Festival to put the spotlight on Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitoba.
The 17th annual Manito Ahbee Festival takes place in Treaty No.1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba, from May 18-23, 2022, and features the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow, Manito Ahbee Marketplace and many other events that celebrate Indigenous arts, culture and music. This year, Manito Ahbee has invited Pow Wow Pitch onto its APTN Ignite Our Spirit Stage to celebrate and spotlight Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, filmmakers, and innovators.
Vendors and attendees will have the opportunity to pitch to win cash prizes to take their ideas and businesses to the next level.
To enter, vendors and entrepreneurs can pre-register for limited audition spots here: https://www.powwowpitch.org/manito-ahbee/, with a few slots reserved on the lottery for those who just turn up at the Manitoba Stage and want to pitch. To Audition, entrepreneurs will have 1-Minute to Pitch their ideas or businesses for a chance to win!
The top 10 pitchers will be paired with mentors before pitching on the Manitoba Stage in front of the judges and the Manito Ahbee community. Prizes include $5,000 for 1st Place, $2,500 for 2nd Place, $1,000 for 3rd Place, $500 for the Youth Prize and $500 for the Fan Favourite. In addition, the 1st Place Winner will also get a Golden Ticket to the Turtle Island Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000.
“We are honoured and excited to bring Pow Wow Pitch to the Manito Ahbee Festival and be back in action, on the ground with community, celebrating and showcasing Indigenous vendors, entrepreneurs and artists of all kinds,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Entrepreneurship is an important tool for reclamation, and through sharing our stories, ideas and businesses, we can grow the Indigenous economy together, our way.”
“We are beyond thrilled that Pow Wow Pitch is joining the Manito Ahbee Festival at the Red River Exhibition Park in Treaty No. 1 territory this year,” said Lisa Meeches, Executive Director of the Manito Ahbee Festival. “Manitoba is home to many well-established Indigenous businesses and competition is an awesome opportunity for up-and-coming entrepreneurs to share their ingenuity and gain the tools needed to make it happen. We are proud to support Indigenous entrepreneurs (including some of our own team!) and businesses throughout the province. This is a great fit for our new and exciting program in 2022.”
All those who audition, regardless of whether they make it to the Top 10, will still have a chance to advance to the Pow Wow Pitch digital semi-finals and will join the Pow Wow Pitch community. All pitchers will get access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, get more than $1,000 worth of free technology, tools and support, and have the chance to have their products and services featured in the Pow Wow Pitch annual Mailer Box to 2,500 customers and on the Pow Wow Pitch Marketplace launching later this year for socially-conscious customers looking to ‘Buy Indigenous.’
To learn more and pre-register for Pow Wow Pitch at Manito Ahbee, visit: https://www.powwowpitch.org/manitu-ahbee/.