(Photo provided by Cairn)
Fueling the entrepreneurial ethos in Oregon, two strategic partners invest in Bend-based Cairn, a community where outdoor enthusiasts discover new products and ideas. Cairn’s seed funding round closes at $2 million with additional investments from Scott Allan, general manager of Hydro Flask, and the Cascade Angels Fund.
Additionally, Cairn welcomes Allan to its board of directors. Partner investors will advise Cairn as it looks to expand its offerings, team and community.
“As a brand partner, I have experienced Cairn first-hand,” said Allan, general manager of Hydro Flask and Cairn board member. “The data they provide to brands greatly informs product development, marketing and innovation. At the same time, they are bringing together a unique community of consumers, all with a love of the outdoors.”
“Cairn has grown from an idea to a growth business,” said Julie Harrelson of Cascade Angels. “Central Oregon has an opportunity to become an innovation hub for the outdoor industry. Cairn is a part of that ecosystem and a strategic investment for the fund.”
As an investor and board member, Allan is a seasoned executive with proven ability to create shareholder value across outdoor products, and has experience in positioning companies, commercializing technology, building brands and managing growth.
Cascade Angels’ mission is to create opportunities for investors and businesses in Oregon to drive economic growth and fuel prosperity. This marks the first investment for Cascade Angels 2016 fund. Both Scott Allan and the Cascade Angels Fund are Bend-based and believe in investing in local emergent companies, like Cairn.
Cofounder and CEO Rob Little was raised in Oregon and determined to grow Cairn into an outdoor industry leader and local influencer. What was conceptualized during a retail marketing class, is now a curator of outdoor experiences introducing more than 10,000 people a month to the newest, most innovative outdoor gear on the market.
“Bend is our home and we are dedicated to growing our business here and continuing to energize the local ethos,” said Little. “Receiving funding and partnership from local business leaders like Scott Allan and the Cascade Angels Fund is really exciting. We are part of the innovation hub in Oregon and will continue to fuel this ecosystem.”
About Cairn
Cairn is changing the way outdoor enthusiasts discover new products and ideas that inspire them to
connect and explore. Cairn was built by a group of entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to bring
positive disruption and give back in their area of passion – the outdoors. Since the company founding as
a monthly subscription box service, Cairn has evolved to be a market leader and fast growing community
of thousands who love the outdoors. In 2015, Cairn was chosen among all development stage
companies in Oregon as the winner of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Entrepreneurship Award.
Cairn is headquartered in Bend, Oregon – a fast growing town that offers an outdoor mecca, high quality
of life and thriving entrepreneurial community. For more information, go to www.getcairn.com. Socialize
with us to inspire more adventures! @getcairn #cairnrocks.
www.getcairn.com.
