Honoring Native Innovation: VL Supports Record-Breaking Change Labs Pitch Competition
To celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, we’re excited to highlight the creativity, resilience, and leadership of Native entrepreneurs that participated in Change Labs’s Pitch Your Hustle competition. VL team members and Explore alumni had the special opportunity to visit Tuba City and support this exciting event.
“It was an honor and eye opening experience to assist with the Pitch Your Hustle event at Change Labs,” said Linda Jensen, Explore Alumni. “The entrepreneurs who pitched their companies were visionary and inspiring. Amazing how they are changing their communities, one small business at a time.”
This year’s competition reached a new milestone with 90 applications, the highest number to-date. This reflects the vision and determination of Indigenous entrepreneurs across the Southwest. Change Labs reminds us, there is no shortage of innovative ideas in Native communities, and it strives to connect and provide accessibility to value-aligned capital to help those ideas grow.
“Working with [Valley Leadership] has been such a joy,” said Holly Patterson, Change Lab’s Entrepreneurial Resources Manager & Strategic Capital Strategist. “We deeply appreciate the collaboration, and when we think of partners who consistently show up, align with our values, and champion Indigenous entrepreneurs, changemakers, and innovators, Valley Leadership immediately comes to mind.”
Throughout the day, supporters of the event embodied what it means to put Arizona First and be Driven to Do. Staff and alumni showed up early, ready to help wherever needed, supporting logistics, design, and event flow to ensure the experience honored the entrepreneurs pitching their ideas. Their hands-on support helped Change Labs award $40,000 to 14 inspiring Indigenous-owned businesses, each one creating opportunities and strengthening local economies in their communities.
This visit was also an intentional part of helping our Explore alumni continue their leadership journey beyond the program. Alumni had the chance to stay engaged, build relationships, and learn directly from communities driving long-term change. Throughout the trip, we discussed how VL can continue partnering with Change Labs to support systems-level solutions, expand access to resources, and uplift existing efforts in Native communities. By showing up, listening, and collaborating, our alumni continue to strengthen their understanding of what it takes to drive meaningful, sustainable impact alongside community partners.
“Standing alongside our partners at Change Labs and witnessing the passion of Native entrepreneurs firsthand was incredibly meaningful. Explore is at its best when we step into a community, build relationships, and support the incredible work of leaders who truly know their community’s needs,” said Jennifer Gastelum, Explore Program Manager. “The ideas shared in Tuba City reflect a future for Arizona that is visionary, rooted, and deeply hopeful.”
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we are proud to uplift the entrepreneurs bringing innovative, community-rooted solutions to life and grateful for partners like Change Labs, who are expanding access to capital and championing Native business owners across the region.
