(Photo above: (L-R) Rob Little of Carin, Tosh Roy of Free Range Equipment and Daniel Clancy of Homeschool Technical Apparel)
Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW), Central Oregon’s outdoor industry accelerator, have opened applications for participants for their summer cohort. BOW will choose three start up outdoor companies to take part in their fourth cohort, which will run July – November 2016.
The Summer cohort will receive mentorship from BOW’s industry founders in areas where developing companies may be lacking. Through a process of discovery meetings, analyzation and curriculum building, BOW will determine the company needs and provide guidance from the founders and extended mentor group. The Accelerator will then support these companies by aligning them with additional resources needed to succeed including legal assistance, financial planning, marketing, logistics, sales, marketing and product development.
BOW’s alumni include Homeschool Technical Apparel, a technical outdoor apparel company, Cairn, a monthly subscription box service for outdoor enthusiasts, Free Range Backpacks, technical, light-weight backpacks for backcountry/multi-sport athletes, Slackline Technology, a manufacturer of longline and highline rigging, the Robert Axle Project, an axle adapter for bike trailers and trainers, SnoPlanks, a manufacturer of bamboo snowboards and skis, Magic Cycle Werks, handcrafted custom steel bicycles, and Waggletops, custom removable dog bed covers. These companies continue to be a part of the BOW family.
Start up outdoor companies looking to scale can apply online at http://bendoutdoorworx.com/apply/ Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2016.
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 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 White- 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
