(Photo courtesy of SnoPlanks)
Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW), Central Oregon’s outdoor industry accelerator, announced the semi finalists for the inaugural Bend Outdoor Worx Breakout Award today. The three companies are Robert Axle Project, SnoPlanks, and Zealios Skin Care. Additionally BOW announced the signing of Trigen Investments, a family-owned capital investment firm in Bend as presenting sponsor of the BOW Breakout Award, which is also sponsored by HydroFlask, The Bridge, White Summers Law, Price Fronk & Co, the Harrelson Group, Bank of the Cascades, and Bend Outdoor Worx and is now a $9,000.00 cash prize.
Eleven post revenue early stage outdoor companies were selected for the first pitch day for the BOW Breakout Award presented by Trigen Investments held on October 2. The Bend based companies gave a three-minute pitch to several Bend Outdoor Worx mentors as well as Brian Vierra, Economic Development of Central Oregon (EDCO)’s Venture Catalyst.
After thoughtful consideration and deliberation, the group determined the three finalists as Robert Axle Project, SnoPlanks and Zealios. The trio moves on to present to the guests at the Oregon Outdoor Alliance (OOA) event being held on October 14 at The Old Stone Church (visit oregonoutdooralliance.org for more information).
The winner of the BOW Breakout Award presented by Trigen Investments will receive a check from the OOA’s keynote speaker, Beaver Theodosakis, founder of Prana and a branding expert with an exceptional track record of building successful companies in the outdoor lifestyle spaces including Life’s a Beach, Bad Boy Club, No Fear and Spy Optics.
“We are really excited to be able to do this for the outdoor community in Bend,” said Gary Bracelin, co-founder of BOW. “We look at this as a great showcase and a major step in supporting the companies that are here.”
BOW wishes to congratulate all the outdoor companies that made the first pitch day and encourage outdoor enthusiasts to visit them online:
CHIVAZ WEAR – a high quality boldly designed sock brand – Chivazwear.com
EXOBRIGHT – visibility wear for kids and adults – Exobright.com
FREERANGE EQUIPMENT – sport-specific backpacks manufactured in Bend – Freerangeequipment.com
HYDAWAY COLLASPABLE BOTTLE – an easy-to-use, reusable, packable water bottle – Hydawaybottle.com
MAGIC CYCLE WERKS – handcrafted high-end custom steel bicycles – Magiccylewerks.com
NEW GROWTH CLOTHING – eco-friendly clothing – Newgrowthclothing.com
OUTDOOR LOGIC SOLUTIONS – creator of the Debooter, a simple device to make removing ski boots an ease – Outdoorlogicsolutions.com
ROBERT AXLE PROJECT, a thru-axle solution adapter for bike trailers – Robertaxleproject.com
SNOPLANKS – handcrafted bamboo snowboards and skis – Snoplanks.com
WAGGLETOPS – removable, easy to wash dog bed covers that work like a fitted sheet – Waggletops.com
ZEALIOS SKIN CARE – performance personal care products for endurance athletes –Teamzealios.com
After assessing common needs from outdoor industry businesses, Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW) was initially conceived in 2013 by Gary Bracelin, a long-time Bend resident and outdoor industry expert. BOW was officially launched in April 2014, when additional industry experts Eric Meade, Justin Rae, and Will Blount joined Bracelin. The founders represent various skill sets and a multitude of experience with successful organizations. In August of 2015, outdoor professional Miki Keller joined the group. BOW also has a deep pool of extended mentors that lend their expertise periodically, as well as Winter Summers Law, and Price Fronk & Co, LLP. For additional information on BOW, contact Gary Bracelin, gbracelin@gmail.com.
BOW’s Manifesto
We’re dreamers, radicals, achievers, believers and vanguards with a shared belief and a common goal. We’re an independent organization with independent spirit – and we love the outdoors. We embrace the unpredictable nature and the grit it takes to navigate the hurdles and obstacles in our industry. In fact, we enjoy it. We’re fearless, but we value vulnerability. We encourage risk, but we support solid strategy. We’re not even remotely interested in the status quo. We’re interested in lending our expertise, our stories and our respect for the crazy-but-we-love-it volatility of the outdoor industry to help our companies adapt, adjust and achieve. WE’RE HERE TO LEAD OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEURS.
