For outdoor industry startups, Bend isn’t just a good place to start a company, it is a place to stay and grow. Gary Bracelin founded the Bend Outdoor Worx incubator last year to help companies do just that. BOW capitalizes on the vast experience that Bracelin and several other local BOW mentors have in the outdoor industry to help guide the founders of fledging Bend businesses.

For outdoor industry startups, Bend isn’t just a good place to start a company, it is a place to stay and grow. Gary Bracelin founded the Bend Outdoor Worx incubator last year to help companies do just that. BOW capitalizes on the vast experience that Bracelin and several other local BOW mentors have in the outdoor industry to help guide the founders of fledging Bend businesses.

“We wanted to help the companies that were already here, and then create a synergy that attracted even more people,” said Bracelin. He has spent most of the past twenty years working in sales for outdoor companies. Most recently, he co-founded the GB2 agency, which has worked with Kialoa Paddles, Sessions Apparel and Homeschool Snowboarding. BOW selects two to three companies per each three- to four- Got Gear? BOW Incubates Outdoor Startups market report assists companies as they scale their businesses right here in our own backyard,” said Bracelin. “It’s been rewarding to see not only that vision in action, but also to see the community and industry support since we launched.” month mentorship session. It doesn’t provide its companies with funding. Instead it offers education and resources aimed at addressing the startups’ stress points—from marketing and production to finding the capital and managing growth.

The incubator has worked with eight companies so far, among them are Cairn, a fast-growing subscription box for outdoor enthusiasts, and SnoPlanks, a Bend startup hand-making bamboo snowboards. “We’ve seen real value in our ability to offer unique insight, experiences and handson mentoring that supports and assists companies as they scale their businesses right here in our own backyard,” said Bracelin. “It’s been rewarding to see not only that vision in action, but also to see the community and industry support since we launched.”