Path Ahead Ventures

Path Ahead Ventures

A smiling woman of color wearing midweight outdoor gear sits on a rock against a desert-like backdrop of scrub, rock outcroppings, calm water, and clear sky.

The outdoors is for everyone.
The industry should be, too.

That's where you come in.
Jump to programs
A smiling woman of color wearing a colorful shirt and earrings poses against a wall styled with shelves displaying a potted plant, a globe, and a display rack of earrings.

Full spectrum support, built for you


Community network

Partners, peers, mentors and experts who provide a trusted space for growth

Capability & infrastructure

Marketing reach, supply chain, distribution and more to reach the next level

Customer connection

Portals to new customers and ways to test, learn and build your platform faster

Capital investment

$30M fund dedicated to empowering founders and accelerating your success

Which path is yours?

Embark

You’ve got an idea or a plan. Embark fuels aspiring founders with a $10k equity-free grant and guidance to turn early-stage ideas into viable business models.

Applications open September 8 - October 8, 2023

Learn more

Navigate

You’ve got a business. Navigate empowers existing businesses with production, scaling, distribution, and publicity so you can grow and thrive.

Applications will reopen in 2024

Learn more

Investments

You’re ready to grow your business. Our investment fund provides companies with growth capital and dedicated portfolio support to help them achieve their business goals and get to the next level.

Learn more

Have a product? Not seeking support?

Through Greenlight, anyone can apply to sell at REI.

Meet the team

Dan Kihanya

As REI’s Director of Path Ahead Ventures, Dan brings extensive entrepreneurial experience, with multiple startups and successful exits under his belt.

Keenan Corrigan

Keenan is the Senior Program Manager, bringing expertise and experience across startup organizations, corporate accelerators and outdoor education.

Susan Viscon

With over 20 years of merchandising experience, including senior executive roles, Susan leads REI’s Path Ahead Ventures team.

Payam Daniel Abbassian

Payam leads investments as Principal. He brings valuable experience as an early-stage investor and a founder and operator at early and growth-stage startups.

Mina Yoo

As Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Mina brings valuable knowledge, skills and expertise with her background as start-up operator, entrepreneurship professor and author of start-up guide for inventors.
Want to get in touch? pathaheadventures@rei.com

Advisory Board

Lisa Nelson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of M12

Lisa Nelson

Board Member & Advisor, Co-Founder of Microsoft Venture Fund
Colleen Echohawk, CEO Eighth Generation

Colleen Echohawk

CEO, Eighth Generation
Dr. Shakenna Williams, ED Center Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College

Dr. Shakenna Williams

ED Center Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership, Babson College
Gloria Hwang, CEO of Thousand Helmets

Gloria Hwang

CEO, Thousand Helmets
Scott Kerslake, Founder of Athleta, Past CEO Nixon & prAna, Operating Partner Stride Consumer PE

Scott Kerslake

Founder Athleta, Past CEO Nixon & prAna, Operating Partner Stride Consumer PE
Charles Hudson, Managing Founder and Partner of Precursor Ventures

Charles Hudson

Managing Founder and Partner, Precursor Ventures
Dr. Angela Randolph, Assistant Professor at Babson College

Dr. Angela Randolph

Assistant Professor, Babson College
Nelson Reyneri Jr., Chair of the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Principal Point B ESG

Nelson Reyneri Jr.

Chair of the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Principal Point B ESG
Zoe Feldman, Senior Director of Chobani Incubator

Zoe Feldman

GM of Consumer, Momofuku
Kim Miller, CEO of Scarpa North America

Kim Miller

CEO, Scarpa North America

Frequently asked questions

The future is you

REI Co-op’s Path Ahead Ventures accelerates success for founders of color by channeling the power and passion of the outdoor industry—supporting innovative ideas with mentorship, infrastructure, customer connections and capital investment. Because the industry should reflect the true diversity of people who love, protect and share life outside.