Buy Idaho

What Buy Idaho does

Buy Idaho is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association founded on October 1, 1986 and headquartered in Boise, Idaho, that operates as Idaho's Shop Local Network. Its stated function is advocating for and connecting Idaho's small business community through membership services, an annual printed member directory, and a portfolio of recurring events and programs. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and reports a membership base of more than 1,000 Idaho-based small businesses.

The core product is a tiered membership program priced from $275 to $2,750 annually, which grants members inclusion in a printed directory distributed 40,000 statewide and in an online business directory, along with access to events and education. Beyond directory services, Buy Idaho runs the Wholesale Idaho Market (a B2B cross-industry wholesale marketplace charging $250 per vendor booth), the long-running Capitol Show consumer expo (scheduled for its 32nd edition in February 2027), a Holiday Market, after-hours networking events, and member education programming. Sponsorship tiers include Gem State Champion at $5,000 and Powering Partner at $10,000.

Revenue is generated through membership dues, event sponsorships, wholesale market vendor fees, and program-specific partnerships, including collaborations with the Better Business Bureau, Business Impact NW, IBL Events, and the Idaho Press Holiday Gift Guide. The customer base is a long-tail of small businesses across industries with no disclosed enterprise anchors, and the operating model is event- and directory-led rather than technology-led — there is no proprietary platform or AI component described in available materials.

Name

Buy Idaho

Legal name

Buy Idaho, Inc.

Website

https://buyidaho.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Buy Idaho is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association founded in 1986 that serves as Idaho's Shop Local Network, connecting 1,000+ small businesses through tiered memberships, an annual printed directory, and consumer and B2B events across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from multiple tiers ranging from $275 to $2,750 for Local Business, Idaho Icon, Buy Idaho Advocate, and Community Catalyst levels. Additional special memberships include Non-Profit Partner ($110), Micro Business ($200), and Veteran/Spouse discount (10% off).
2. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship tiers including Gem State Champion ($5,000/year) with 2 event sponsorships, and Powering Partner ($10,000/year) with all event sponsorships and website advertising.
3. Wholesale Market Vendor Registration: Booth space fees for Wholesale Idaho Market vendors at $250 per booth for the industry-only wholesale marketplace event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Buy Idaho operates as Idaho's Shop Local Network, a non-profit trade association providing tiered annual memberships that include printed and digital directory listings, use of Buy Idaho and Product of Idaho branding, and access to exclusive events. It also operates Wholesale Idaho, the state's only cross-industry wholesale marketplace connecting Idaho-based vendors with retail and foodservice buyers, and produces an annual printed directory with statewide distribution.

Product overview

Buy Idaho is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association founded in 1986, serving as Idaho's Shop Local Network. The organization operates a suite of interconnected products and services designed to promote Idaho businesses: the Buy Idaho Membership program provides directory listings and event access across four tiers; the Member Directory serves as the searchable online database of over 1,000 Idaho businesses with annual print distribution; Wholesale Idaho facilitates vendor-buyer connections through Idaho's only cross-industry wholesale marketplace and education initiative; and events including the annual Capitol Show, Holiday Market, and quarterly After-Hours networking connect the local business community. The products work together to support Idaho's economy by keeping dollars local and connecting businesses to each other and consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wholesale Idaho: A subsidiary initiative of Buy Idaho that serves as Idaho's only cross-industry wholesale marketplace, connecting local vendors and buyers to foster intrastate commerce.

Products and services

• Buy Idaho Membership A membership program for Idaho-based businesses providing listings in printed and digital directories distributed statewide, access to exclusive Buy Idaho events, use of the official Buy Idaho logo and Product of Idaho stickers, and inclusion in the Wholesale Idaho program. Available across four tiers and special categories for non-profits, micro businesses, and veteran-owned businesses.
• Member Directory An online searchable directory of Idaho businesses with over 1,000 member listings, searchable by business name and category, supplemented by an annual Buy Idaho print directory with 40,000 copy statewide distribution.
• Wholesale Idaho

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000 copies of printed directory distributed statewide annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BBB Great West + PacificcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMutual partnership providing 10% discount on membership for each organization's members. BBB Accredited Members receive 10% off Buy Idaho membership, and Buy Idaho members can apply for BBB Accreditation at a discount.
• Business Impact NWcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness education partner providing resources and education to Buy Idaho members. Also a wholesale market partner, helping prepare vendors for wholesale success.
• IBL EventscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrade show partner offering Buy Idaho members special vendor rates at IBL Events trade shows and expos including the Idaho Health + Fitness Expo.
• Idaho Hispanic FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for the Wholesale Idaho Market, helping ensure diverse representation and outreach in Idaho's wholesale marketplace.
• Idaho PreferredminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Idaho producers and local products in the Wholesale Idaho Market initiative.
• Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit supporting veteran entrepreneurs, collaborating on Wholesale Idaho Market and supporting veteran-owned business visibility in the network.
• Caldwell Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chamber partnership for Wholesale Idaho Market, hosting events at The Center at Canyon County Fair.
• Avenues for HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide housing challenge initiative. Buy Idaho runs the Buy Idaho Challenge to support housing nonprofits, with members donating $25-$100 and competing for booth prizes at the Capitol Show.
• Boise Impact GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness education provider offering member rates for Buy Idaho members seeking to elevate and empower their small businesses.
• Idaho PresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Holiday Gift Guide published in partnership with Idaho Press, providing expanded reach for Buy Idaho member visibility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Local First Arizona: Statewide 'buy local' nonprofit with member directory, events, and education programs structurally analogous to Buy Idaho. Useful comparable for membership-tier design and event economics.
• Sustainable Connections: Northwest-based local-business network running a member directory, events, and a 'Whatcom Food Network' wholesale facilitation program — structurally the same model as Buy Idaho's Wholesale Idaho Market.
• Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber serving the same Boise/Treasure Valley geography as Buy Idaho. Competes for the same small-business membership dollars and event sponsorships in the local market.
• Built Oregon: Oregon-based 'buy local' nonprofit promoting in-state products and makers, with directory and event programming. Comparable state-scope peer for member acquisition and sponsorship strategy.
• Independent We Stand: National 'buy local' movement that aggregates independent businesses, drives shop-local consumer campaigns, and produces directories and events analogous to Buy Idaho's. Closest mission-aligned peer at a national scale.

Broad incumbents

• American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): Umbrella federation for local independent business alliances across the U.S. Buy Idaho operates as a regional affiliate-style organization in this broader 'Local First' / independent-business network ecosystem.
• Green America: National nonprofit with a 'Green Business Directory' and shop-local campaigns. Broader mission scope but overlapping model of certifying and promoting local independent businesses to consumers.
• BALLE (Be a Localist): National network of local-economy leaders and chapters. Buy Idaho can be viewed as a regional node in this broader local-business movement, with comparable education and advocacy programming.

Regional players

• Idaho Preferred: Idaho Department of Agriculture-affiliated program promoting Idaho food and agricultural products. Direct overlap with Buy Idaho's Wholesale Idaho initiative and a named strategic partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/buy_idaho
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLyfOYd8KerNBR-jpg5D8bQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/BuyIdahoInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buy-idaho-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/buy_idaho

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Buy Idaho