Indigenous entrepreneurs from Treaty 1, Winnipeg, Manitoba, selected from more than 2,400 applications for a chance to win $25,000

On June 20, 2022, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify, Meta and Mastercard, announced Two-Spirit entrepreneurs Janelle Desrosiers, Founder and Creative Director of Bloom + Brilliance, and Leticia Spence, Founder of Ohcîyan Collective and a designer with Bloom + Brilliance, as 2022 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finalists. They were selected from more than 2,400 applications and are advancing to the Creative Semi-Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow his business.

Janelle and Leticia submitted a 1-minute video pitch to introduce themselves, their businesses and to share how winning the grand prize would help them grow.

“It’s such an honour to be included in this incredible group of entrepreneurs. ” said Janelle Desrosiers, Bloom + Brilliance. “Indigenous people have always been innovators and it’s amazing to witness and a part of this movement of Indigenous people making space for themselves in every industry. We’re not only showcasing different and better ways of doing business, but inspiring future generations of Indigenous youth, too!”

Janelle’s business, Bloom + Brilliance, is a queer, Indigenous and intersectional feminist led design agency that works with entrepreneurs, organizations and community leaders who are inspired to change the world.

“Congratulations to Janelle and Leticia on advancing to the Semi-Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “We look forward to spotlighting and sharing their businesses with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing together.” 

Janelle and Leticia will now benefit from expert pitch training and one-to-one mentorship with Industry leaders. They will pitch their business to a panel of Judges in early Fall as part of the Creative Semi-Finals and, if successful, will win $1,000 and advance to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000. 

In addition, through a collaborative partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, both Janelle and Leticia will receive a $2,500 grant to commission a mini-project with an Indigenous-owned tourism business with the possibility of receiving an additional $15,000 add-on larger grant commission later this Fall.