Founded Outdoors
Founded Outdoors is a US-based community and services platform that supports outdoor recreation entrepreneurs under $10M in revenue through a free 650+ member Slack community, the REI-co-developed Embark Accelerator, an annual benchmarking study, and consulting engagements with state outdoor recreation offices and universities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Founded Outdoors does
Founded Outdoors is a US-based, privately-held, remote-first organization that supports outdoor recreation entrepreneurs — predominantly small business founders with under $10 million in annual revenue — through a layered service and community platform. Its core asset is a free Slack community of 650+ outdoor business owners featuring peer groups, 40+ workshops, quarterly office hours with investors and domain experts, fireside chats, and 20+ annual in-person events. The company delivers structured programming through the Embark Accelerator Program, co-developed with REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures, which achieved an NPS of 10.0 in 2025 and has supported 104 entrepreneurs to date. It also publishes the annual Outdoor Small Business Benchmarking Study, priced at $1,800 for the full report, drawing on survey data from 80+ small outdoor businesses.
Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) one-time benchmarking report sales, (2) professional services including strategy consulting, business needs assessments, and curriculum licensing delivered to economic development organizations, universities, state outdoor business alliances, and state outdoor recreation offices across at least 10 US states, and (3) accelerator program delivery, likely supported by partner funding from REI Path Ahead Ventures. The go-to-market motion is hybrid — community-led organic growth in the Slack group, partner-driven referrals from state and university channels, and event-driven acquisition at industry trade shows. The platform is built on commodity tools (Slack, Zoom, Squarespace, Airtable) rather than proprietary technology, and the team numbers 6-7 people including co-founders Enhao Li and Katie Doherty. The company has not publicly disclosed external funding, valuation, or detailed financials.
Founded Outdoors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Founded Outdoors
- Legal name
- Founded Outdoors
- Website
- https://foundedoutdoors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Founded Outdoors is a US-based community and services platform that supports outdoor recreation entrepreneurs under $10M in revenue through a free 650+ member Slack community, the REI-co-developed Embark Accelerator, an annual benchmarking study, and consulting engagements with state outdoor recreation offices and universities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Founded Outdoors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Business Support Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)
Keywords
Founded Outdoors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Benchmarking Study Sales: Sale of the 2025 Outdoor Small Business Benchmarking Report at $1,800 per copy. The full report includes expanded data, 50+ graphs and charts from survey of 80+ small outdoor businesses, covering tradeshows, team structure, and performance metrics segmented by company size and product category.
- Partner Services and Consulting: Strategy consulting, business needs assessments, and curriculum development services for economic development organizations, universities, state outdoor business alliances, and outdoor recreation offices. Includes training local institutions and licensing curriculum.
- Accelerator Programs: The Embark accelerator program, developed in collaboration with REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures, supports emerging outdoor brands. Revenue likely derived from program fees or partner funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Community Membership |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 2025 Outdoor Small Business Benchmarking Report - Full Report |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Founded Outdoors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Founded Outdoors operates a community and support platform exclusively for outdoor recreation entrepreneurs. It delivers value through a free Slack-based community with 650+ members, the Embark accelerator program (built with REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures), paid annual benchmarking research, recurring workshops and peer groups, and consulting/curriculum licensing to economic development organizations and universities.
Product overview
Founded Outdoors is a multi-product ecosystem designed to support outdoor entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. The core offering is a free online Slack community (650+ members) that provides peer support, workshops, peer groups, and office hours with industry experts. The Embark Accelerator Program, developed in partnership with REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures, provides structured programming for launching outdoor brands. The 2025 Outdoor Small Business Benchmarking Study offers research and data insights for strategic decision-making. Additionally, Partner Services delivers strategy consulting, business needs assessments, and training to economic development organizations, universities, and state outdoor business alliances to grow regional outdoor economies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Founded Outdoors Community (Slack) Free Slack-based community for outdoor entrepreneurs to connect with peers, share resources, get product feedback, and build business momentum. Includes online peer groups, resource guides, and quarterly office hours with investors and domain experts.
- Embark Accelerator Program Accelerator program developed with REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures that helps emerging outdoor brands launch, featuring workshops, mentorship, and structured programming for outdoor entrepreneurs.
- 2025 Outdoor Small Business Benchmarking Study Annual paid research report ($1,800 full report; free executive summary) covering sales, marketing, financing, team structure, manufacturing, trade shows, and founder sentiment among outdoor small businesses with under $10 million in annual revenue.
- Partner Services Strategy consulting, business needs assessments, resource development, and business-owner training delivered to state outdoor business alliances, economic development groups, outdoor recreation offices, and universities to grow regional outdoor economies.
- Workshops and Peer Groups Recurring Zoom-hosted workshops on business-building topics (sourcing, manufacturing, financing, marketing, sales) and structured peer groups for outdoor founders; the company has created 40+ unique workshops.
Quantifiable outcome
- 650+ outdoor entrepreneurs supported in community
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Founded Outdoors
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Founded Outdoors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Founded Outdoors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- REI Co-op Path Ahead VenturescoreFlagship partnership to develop and deliver the Embark accelerator program for emerging outdoor brands. REI Path Ahead Ventures provides funding and mission alignment while Founded Outdoors delivers curriculum, programming, and community support. Also collaborated on 2025 Outdoor Small Business Benchmarking Study.
- Frostburg State University / FOREIcorePartnership to support FOREI (Frostburg Outdoor Recreation Economy Institute) including developing the Outdoor Business Alliance of Appalachia Maryland (OBAAM), outdoor business needs assessments, strategy guidance, and entrepreneur workshops.
- Innovate AlabamaregionalState-level partnership to support outdoor economy growth and outdoor business development in Alabama.
- Wisconsin Office of Outdoor RecreationregionalPartnership with state outdoor recreation office to grow Wisconsin's outdoor economy through business support programs.
- Activate New MexicoregionalPartnership to support outdoor economy development and entrepreneurship in New Mexico.
- Siskiyou Economic CouncilregionalRegional assessment of outdoor businesses across Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity, and Modoc counties; designed and facilitated 8-week hybrid accelerator with two tracks; train-the-trainer program for community college outdoor entrepreneurship courses.
- WORTH Institute, University of WyomingregionalPartnership to understand the landscape for outdoor recreation businesses in Wyoming through student engagement and mentorship.
- Maine Outdoor BrandsregionalPartnership to support Maine outdoor brands and grow the state's outdoor economy.
- Explore MinnesotaregionalPartnership with state tourism/outdoor recreation office to grow Minnesota's outdoor economy.
- Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry OfficeregionalPartnership with state office to support Michigan's outdoor recreation economy and business development.
- Vermont Outdoor Business AllianceregionalPartnership to support the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance and grow outdoor business ecosystem in Vermont.
- EDP AlabamaregionalPartnership with Economic Development Partnership of Alabama to support outdoor economy growth.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Founded Outdoors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Founded Outdoors social profiles
Digital presenceFounded Outdoors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Founded Outdoors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Founded Outdoors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Founded Outdoors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Founded Outdoors
What does Founded Outdoors do?
Founded Outdoors operates a community and support platform exclusively for outdoor recreation entrepreneurs. It delivers value through a free Slack-based community with 650+ members, the Embark accelerator program (built with REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures), paid annual benchmarking research, recurring workshops and peer groups, and consulting/curriculum licensing to economic development organizations and universities.
Is Founded Outdoors a public or private company?
Founded Outdoors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Founded Outdoors founded?
Founded Outdoors was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does Founded Outdoors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Benchmarking Study Sales are the primary driver. The others are partner Services and Consulting and accelerator Programs.
Does Founded Outdoors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Founded Outdoors.
What industry is Founded Outdoors in?
Founded Outdoors's product category is Outdoor Business Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAO, Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement. Its NAICS code is 813410 and its SIC code is 7997.