Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW), Central Oregon’s outdoor industry accelerator, announced the application process for their 2023 Cohort Program is open as of today and will run until September 30, 2022. Startup outdoor companies looking to scale can apply online here.
Since 2014, BOW has worked with hand-picked start-up companies to provide them with mentorship from their industry founders and an extended mentor group. Through a process of discovery meetings, analyzation and curriculum building, BOW determines the company needs and provides guidance. The accelerator supports these companies by aligning them with additional resources needed to succeed, including legal assistance, financial planning, marketing, logistics, sales, marketing and product development.
Over the years, several Bend companies including Cairn and Picky Bars have graduated the BOW program and have proven success stories.
“Participating in BOW helped us lay our business foundation and understand what it would take to scale the business,” said Rob Little, Cairn’s co-founder and CEO. “The BOW mentors provided industry expertise, practical business know-how, as well as critical contacts that all accelerated our growth and helped us build a valuable company. I’d recommend their program for any early outdoor product company.”
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. 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 Christie Dobson, christie@bendoutdoorworx.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.
