Company News | October 10, 2024

Indigenous Entrepreneurs Awarded $30K at SREDA’s SOAR Pitch Finale

Saskatoon’s most promising Indigenous entrepreneurs are ready to accelerate their growth thanks to SREDA’s SOAR kihiw paskîyâkêwin Indigenous Entrepreneurship Competition presented by PIC Investment Group.

SOAR concluded last night with a Pitch Finale and cultural celebration held at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. There, the top five finalists pitched their businesses to a panel of expert judges, with $30,000 in prize money awarded. In addition to cash prizes, The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, our Mother Earth Sponsor, awarded first and second place winners with credits to be used towards services offered by their membership, further empowering these entrepreneurs on their journey.

Finalists also received a special gift – Buffalo Cross blankets, and the first prize winner received a custom Star Blanket made by Lora Daniels from the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak.

Open to majority Indigenous-owned businesses in the Saskatoon Region, SOAR received many applications this year from entrepreneurs representing a wide range of industries. From the applications, a top 10 was selected for the Semi-Finalist Pitch Round, where each entrepreneur participated in a ‘How to Pitch’ session. After sharpening their pitch skills, the top five finalists were selected to advance to the next round.

At the Pitch Finale, the top five finalists were given five minutes to present their business idea, progress so far and plans for growth. All five impressed the judging panel, with Richard Wuttunee of RYP Mechanical taking home the top prize of $15,000.

Congratulations to the SOAR Finalists:

Richard Wuttunee
RYP Mechanical
Prize: $15,000

Michael Pete
CreeAtive Reinforcing
Prize: $10,000

Kayla Maurice
Karm YXE
Prize: $5,000

Andrew Hunter
Homes by Hunter

Shayla Romanyshyn
Vintner’s Cellar Saskatoon