You will be paired one-on-one with a dedicated Path Ahead Ventures Advisor who will help guide you on your wholesale 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 Navigate.
Navigate empowers founders to achieve wholesale success.
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. We provide funding, 1:1 advising, curated programming, and access to industry experts at REI and beyond.
Structured, hands-on support
Navigate is a 9 month fellowship program that will guide you through each stage of becoming a wholesale-ready brand, from assessing your operational readiness, to preparing to meet with buyers, to post-launch management. The fellowship experience is self-paced, customized, and focused on action. Through your cohort, you'll build a strong network with founders of companies at a similar stage.
Not a great fit for Navigate? Check out our other programs.
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 to support their 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?
Check out our application criteria:
Have a market-ready product aligned with outdoor retail.
Are focused on and committed to wholesale growth in the next 12 months.
Your company has a minimum of $75k and maximum of $2M in revenue, but likely in the $200-700k range.
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.
The Navigate experience
See what you could experience as a founder in the Navigate program.
Founder spotlight
Xiaonan (Claire) Zhu (she/her)Founder, Hootie HooHootie Hoo believes some of the best lessons and habits in life are learned outside. Hootie Hoo provides high-quality technical apparel for children so they can stay comfortable and spend more time outside.
Founder experience
In their own words
“Navigate is a wonderful opportunity to connect with CPG leaders and founders who care about being outside. I've learned an incredible amount and made lasting friendships. I would highly recommend [the program] for other founders.”
Mitch Gilbert (they/them)
Founder & CEO, OYA
“Some days we were out of our depths and on others we were deep in our element. The only constant in Navigate was the feeling that anything was possible.”
Jennifer Jacobson (she/her) & Livio Melo (he/him)
Co-founders, Allmansright
“No matter where you are in your business, Navigate will take you to the next level. It’s scalable and adaptable to your needs.”
Sidney Baptista (he/him)
Founder & CEO, PYNRS
Core components
In the Navigate program, 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.
Our program
Over 9 months 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 wholesale journey. In addition, you will have access to our Wholesale Readiness library of guides, toolkits, templates and more!
In-person connections
Participate in industry shows, like Outside Festival or Switchback, where you can connect with buyers, sell your product, and increase brand awareness.
Frequently asked questions
Want to get in touch? pathaheadventures@rei.com