You will be paired one-on-one with a dedicated Path Ahead Ventures Advisor who will help guide you on your journey, covering critical areas like operational readiness, product assortment and pricing, retail buyer engagement, and more.
R E I Co-op Path Ahead Ventures Navigate
You set the course. We help you map your Ascent and Navigate.
Navigate and Ascent empower founders to achieve success at scale.
The Navigate and Ascent programs support 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. We provide funding, 1:1 advising, curated programming, and access to industry experts at REI and beyond.
Structured, hands-on support
Navigate is a 6 month program that guides you through each stage of becoming a wholesale-ready product brand, from assessing your operational readiness, to preparing to meet with buyers, to post-launch management. The experience is customized and focused on action.
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Ascent is a 3 month program designed to meet outdoor product founders where you are, providing you with customized support to tackle the challenges impacting your business most. With your PAV advisor you focus on a specific business challenge, define a game plan, execute.
Individualized support
Expert connections
In addition to work with your Advisor, you will have the opportunity to meet with subject matter experts who can provide customized insights related to key points in your wholesale journey, such as making the most of industry shows, preparing for meetings with buyers, and using data to understand brand positioning.
Capital investment
All Navigate participants receive a $25,000 non-dilutive grant and all Ascent participants receive a $7500 non-dilutive grant to support your continued growth.
Community network
Partnership is key to who we are as a brand and organization. Not only will you join a supportive cohort of other founders, you will also have access to an outdoor-focused community of mentors, investors, experts, and REI Co-op connections.
Interested in joining us?
Application criteria:
Have a market-ready product aligned with outdoor retail.
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.
Navigate Only: Focused on and committed to wholesale growth in the next 12 months and your company has a minimum of $75k and maximum of $2M in revenue, but likely in the $200-700k range.
Ascent Only: Focused on solving a specific business challenge and your company has a minimum of $50k and maximum of $250k in revenue.
The Founder experience
See what you could experience as a founder in the Path Ahead Ventures Community.
Founder spotlight
Martha Santos & Michael FountainCo-Founders, Ryōken InstinctRyōken Instinct is redefining adventure ready™️ dog nutrition with ethical, locally-sourced, protein bars that deliver the most nutrient-dense fuel on the planet for dogs that hike, run, and explore.
Founder experience
In their own words
"The Navigate program has been one of the greatest things to happen to us and our business. Having an REI family of mentors and advisors who offer real, lived experience to help us avoid painful pitfalls has been truly invaluable. The openness, the willingness to share, and the strength of the network went far beyond anything we expected. Everyone in the program, from the advisors to our cohort, shows up to support one another. My cohort will be lifelong friends, in business and in life, and I am incredibly grateful for that."
Michael Houston
Founder & CEO, ShowerPouch
"The Navigate program is the real deal. From day one, it’s been clear that this team goes far beyond surface-level support. They are deeply invested in their founders and relentlessly resourceful in helping you move the needle where it matters most. The PAV program is unlike anything else out there, and in one word, it’s a privilege. Ryōken is so grateful to have been part of this amazing program and community."
Martha Santos
Founder, Ryōken Instinct
"The Navigate program has been an incredible experience for us at Projo*. The mentorship, community, and access to REI’s ecosystem have helped us sharpen our strategy, strengthen our retail readiness, and build authentic relationships with like-minded founders. It’s been a transformative opportunity that has not only accelerated our growth but also aligned perfectly with our mission to energize and empower people to live healthy and fulfilling lives."
Charbel Mawad & Lisa Hermosillo
Co-founders, Projo*
Core components
In the Navigate and Ascent programs, you’ll be connected with REI’s industry-leading experts through on-site immersion, one-to-one advising sessions, and industry events.
Basecamp
Kick off the experience with a week together at REI’s HQ in the Seattle area. It’s time to get to know your cohort, meet with your Advisor and the REI program team, and dive into the program.
Program
During the program you will engage in virtual working sessions with your Advisor, "CEO coffee chats" with your cohort, and monthly office hours with industry experts. Each of these elements is meant to intentionally move your business forward on your journey. In addition, you will have access to our Resource library of guides, toolkits, templates and more!
In-person connections
Opportunities to participate in industry shows--like Outside Days, Switchback, or Outdoor Retailer--where you can connect with buyers, sell your product, and increase brand awareness.
Frequently asked questions
Want to get in touch? pathaheadventures@rei.com