November 14, 2025 - 1:29 pm
Community Invited to IndigiPitch Business Pitch Competition in Petoskey on Dec. 5
20Fathoms is pleased to announce that audience registration is open for the IndigiPitch Business Pitch Competition in Petoskey on Dec. 5, 2025. IndigiPitch is an energizing pitch competition that will showcase Michigan’s vibrant Native American entrepreneurship and startup community. The event is open to the public and attendees can expect a show that is fun, inspiring, and welcoming for the entire community.
A pitch competition is an event where entrepreneurs compete before a panel of judges for funding and mentorship, as seen on the television show Shark Tank. Similarly, IndigiPitch will feature four entrepreneurs competing for prizes from a stage, but it will also have unique local and cultural components. The event will be supportive and friendly for both participants and audience members alike, and centered on uplifting Native American businesses and culture throughout the event. Three awards will be named: 1st place: $5000, 2nd place: $2000, audience favorite: $500.
Pitch presenters:
Deter
Deter is a palm-sized micro-drone designed to interrupt threats before contact, providing real-time autonomous protection for the vulnerable. The Deter pitch will be presented by Fitz Doud.
Little Agate
Little Agate offers a simple, accessible approach to cloth diapering, pairing an education program with an offering of new and used cloth diapers to reduce waste. The Little Agate pitch will be presented by Leah Blanchard.
Nokomis Everstory
Nokomis Everstory bridges sacred storytelling tradition with modern technology to preserve voices in living form. The Nokomis Everstory pitch will be presented by Joshua Paul.
Rain & Revelry
Rain & Revelry brings storybook experiences to life through luxurious, immersive events. The Rain & Revelry pitch will be presented by Amber Kilgore, Gina Stegehuis, and Yarrow Young.
IndigiPitch will center Native American voices throughout the evening:
- Opening Remarks: Winnay Wemigwase, Chairperson of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians
- Opening Ceremony: Heather Syrette
- Drum: Bear River
- Emcees: Stormie Wakemup and Mark Wilson
- Judges: Eva Oldman, Levi Rickert, Eugene Magnuson, Florence Ludka, Paul Bussey, and Shanna Shananaquet
- Vendor Expo: Browse tables featuring Indigenous-owned businesses and other resources
Key event details:
- When: The evening of Friday, Dec. 5. Doors open at 4:30; pitch competition begins at 5:30.
- Where: Odawa Casino in Petoskey
- Who: IndigiPitch will exclusively feature Native American entrepreneurs as pitch presenters and expo vendors. The event is open to the public and anyone interested in supporting Michigan’s business startup community is welcome to attend.
- Lodging: Discounted hotel rooms are available at Odawa Casino in Petoskey. Reference “IndigiPitch” when making your reservation.
The community is invited to attend this fun and inspiring event. There is no cost to attend. Reserve your ticket.
Based in Traverse City and serving all of Northwest Lower Michigan, 20Fathoms is a nonprofit business startup resource center for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. In addition to IndigiPitch, 20Fathoms offers programming designed to meet the unique needs and ecosystem of the region’s Native American entrepreneurs and includes a startup bootcamp called Indigenous Business & Marketing Essentials, one-on-one coaching, and access to capital resources.
IndigiPitch is made possible with the support of Northern Shores Community Development Corporation and Odawa Casino, with additional support provided by Consumers Energy, Kuhn Rogers, the Michigan Founders Fund, and the Gijigowi Fund, a fund of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.