Business Plan Competitions & Pitches
Competitions and pitches I’ve participated in:
March 25’ - American Indigenous Business Leaders’ National Conference, Business Plan Competition, Gathering Grounds
March 24’ - American Indigenous Business Leaders’ National Conference, Chapter of The Year Competition
November 23’ - Micro Pitch Competition, Rez Dirt Athletics
July 23’ - 1st Annual Colorado Food Coalition Business Pitch Competition, Wakhályapí
April 23’ - Fort Lewis’ College Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition, Wakhályapí
March 23’ - American Indigenous Business Leaders’ National Conference Business Plan Competition, Wakhályapí
November 22’ - Micro Pitch Competition, Wakhályapí
Fort Lewis’ Hawk Tank Competition - A business plan competition that brings students from Fort Lewis College and San Juan College together to compete for thousands of dollars. In April of 2023, I developed and presented an entire business plan for Wakhályapí that won first place and opportunities for later down the road. This was a milestone for Wakhályapí and all the hard work leading up to this point.
CSU’s Spur Colorado Coalition Food Pitch Competition - A business pitch competition that brought food industry companies all across Colorado together to share ideas and pitch their work. After winning Hawk Tank, I was lucky enough to be invited and pitch against many successful and creative entrepreneurs. I unfortunately did not place but this was a great opportunity for me to network and showcase my company.
American Indigenous Business Leaders National Conference - This conference holds competitions where we compete for chapter of the year and the best business plan. In March of 2023, our chapter used Wakhályapí and took first place in the business plan and chapter of the year competitions. March of 2024, AIBL presented our chapter and a dehydrated smoothie Q’ep (“Cup” in the Xlemi Chosen language) coming out on top for the second year in a row! In my last year in AIBL as student, we did not come home with anything, but it was a great experience bringing purpose, intention, and leaving AIBL FLC prepared for next year.
The Center of Innovations Micro Pitch Competition - In November of 2022, I participated in my first competition at Fort Lewis College undergoing several workshops and networking with professionals starting my journey as an entrepreneur. To make this better, I won my first investment capital for Wakhályapí. In November of 2023, I helped my friend develop and present his business plan Rez Dirt Athletics, a sports event planning company designed to help Native athletes reach the collegiate level.
