Diné entrepreneurs advance in clean-energy competition with long-term vision
Courtesy | Bravo Solar and Wind
Walter Bia and Marissa Begay, the co-founders of Bravo Solar and Wind and 2025 Pow Wow Pitch semifinalists.
WINDOW ROCK
Two Navajo entrepreneurs, Walter Bia and Marissa Begay, have advanced to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch semifinals, putting them a step closer to a $25,000 prize for their clean-energy startup, Bravo Solar and Wind.
They are among 140 semifinalists from across the United States and Canada who will pitch their businesses this fall. Their entry outlines a plan to expand turbine inspection technology, strengthen risk-management tools and launch casualty insurance, all with the goal of creating jobs in the Navajo Nation and other tribal communities.
Bia said Pow Wow Pitch offers more than just competition. It brings visibility to renewable energy in communities while connecting founders to mentors, resources and potential partners. “That support can accelerate our growth and help us hire more people,” he told the Navajo Times.
Roots and motivation
Bia, who is ‘Áshįįhí and born for Tábąąhá, grew up in Woodsprings, Arizona, without running water or electricity. That experience, combined with his military service and training as a certified electrician and wind technician, shaped his path. He said the lack of energy infrastructure showed him the need for sustainable solutions and local jobs.
He also saw a gap in the market for skilled wind-turbine services in remote areas. “We focus on inspecting main components because their reliability is crucial,” he said. For him, the company is about delivering clean power while providing employment for Navajo workers.
Begay, who is Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii and born for Táchii’nii from Klagetoh, Arizona, said her background in education taught her the value of clear communication and empathy, while business leadership gave her experience in strategy and resource management. “Combining both experiences, I aim to create a company that balances purpose and performance,” she told the Navajo Times.
To read the full article, please see the Sept. 4, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.
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