REI Co-op’s Path Ahead Ventures offers the Navigate program supports emerging Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry by offering opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.
Donor Name: REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 03/12/2023
Size of the Grant: $25k
Grant Duration: 4 months
Details:
REI provides funding, mentorship, curated programming, and access to REI’s experts in production, distribution, marketing services, and talent.
Path Ahead Ventures is part of REI’s Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiative, dedicated to building a more inclusive, affirming and welcoming co-op and outdoors. The effort includes the organization’s commitment to diversify its workforce, its product offering and its supplier base.
Navigate is a 4-month program providing a customized learning experience that addresses your company’s specific pain points and equips you with funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance. You’ll have opportunities to meet with and learn from experienced partners both inside and outside the industry. Through your cohort, you’ll build a network with founders of companies at a similar stage.
- Individualized support
- Customer connection
- Capital investment
- Community network
Funding Information
Selected participants will receive the $25k equity-free grant at the start of the program. All selected participants will also have the opportunity for optional equity investment upon successful completion of the program, legal due diligence, and other terms and conditions that will be shared with each participant.
Eligibility Criteria
- You have built a company that provides a product that aligns with REI values, inspires people, and equips them in their outdoor lives.
- Your business is in the activity or outside categories (apparel, footwear, gear, or CPG).
- You have at least one founder who is Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, or Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), holds an active leadership position in the company, and who received at least 20% founder’s equity at initial incorporation.
- You are over 18, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and your company is U.S.-based.
- Your company has between $75K and $2M in revenue in the past twelve months.
For more information, visit Navigate Program.
