Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW), the nation’s first and longest-running outdoor product accelerator, is now accepting applications for its 2027 cohort.
BOW is seeking ambitious outdoor product companies to join its 2027 accelerator program, which runs from February through May. Selected participants receive hands-on mentorship from BOW’s team of experienced founders and mentors, industry executives, and subject matter experts through a 14-week intensive program designed to help companies accelerate growth and navigate key business challenges.
Each BOW cohort is customized to the needs of participating companies. Through in-depth discovery sessions and collaborative program planning, founders receive individualized guidance and strategic support across critical areas of their business, including finance, legal, sales, marketing, branding, operations, logistics, product development, digital strategy, and investor and pitch preparation. BOW also works directly with companies to address emerging opportunities and challenges as they arise throughout the program.
BOW Cohort participants will also have the opportunity to pitch at BOW’s annual BreakOut Pitch Event, created exclusively for the outdoor industry, where companies compete for no-strings-attached cash prizes.
“The outdoor industry evolves fast, and the founders who thrive are the ones who combine passion with strategy,” says Gary Bracelin, BOW co-founder. “That’s exactly what BOW is built for. We’re ready to work alongside companies who want to do the hard work, and we have the experience, the network, and the tools to help them get there. If you’ve got a product and a vision, we want to hear from you.”
Since its launch in 2014, BOW has supported 40 outdoor product companies through its accelerator program, helping founders turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. To further support these companies, BOW created a production financing fund in 2025 and has deployed more than $1 million to date.
Applications for the 2027 cohort are open now through October 31, 2026, at bendoutdoorworx.com. Selected companies will be announced in December 2026.
BOW is supported by strategic partners including White Summers Law, Sorren, Relativity Agency, and Algofy Outdoors, as well as sponsors including the City of Bend, COIH, Embark Coworking, U.S. Bank, Tokyo Starfish, and Focus on the 40.
About BOW:
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 Will Blount, Justin Rae, and Eric Meade joined Bracelin. The founders represent various skill sets and a multitude of experiences with successful organizations. BOW also has a deep pool of extended mentors who lend their expertise periodically, as well as partnerships with White Summers Law, Sorren, the Relativity Agency, and Algofy Outdoors.
