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Applications due June 27, 11:59 PM MT

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Growth Training & Mentorship for Outdoor Recreation Businesses

ActivatOR will accelerate your outdoor recreation business with expert guidance and strategic tools designed to expand your horizon, create value, and develop new products for your customers.

Open Sprints (open to all) June 24th, June 27th, and July 11th
Cohort Starts the week of July 15, 2024!
Application deadline Extended until: June 27, 2024 at 11:59PM
Apply Now

Presented By:

Register for Open Sprints:

2. Lean Startup
3. Customer Discovery

What is ActivatOR Outdoor Recreation Growth Accelerator?

ActivatOR accelerates growth for small businesses in the outdoor recreation sector. Any stage company seeking growth is welcome, from ideas to established businesses to owners seeking a successor. Our program supports your growth goals, whether that is customers, revenue, jobs, succession, or more.

ActivatOR is FREE thanks to funding from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division of the NM Economic Development Department.

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit or non-profit business (sole proprietorship is acceptable)
  • Small business (from 0 to 50 employees)
  • Headquartered in New Mexico or seeking to add jobs in New Mexico.
  • Seeking growth. What do you want to grow about your business?  E.g. revenue, customers, jobs, succession, or acquiring or taking over a business.
  • Business model with revenue from outdoor recreation:  directly delivering outdoor recreation, products or services for outdoor recreation, or channel partners in outdoor recreation.
  • Any stage.
    • Developing an idea
    • Startup
    • Owner seeking a succession plan
    • Prospective entrepreneur seeking to buy or takeover a business
    • Established enterprises

What will I gain from ActivatOR?

  • Tailored Mentorship and Expert Guidance: Gain invaluable insights and personalized coaching from industry leaders in outdoor recreation. Our mentors are seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals who understand the unique challenges of the outdoor market and are committed to helping you refine your business model, improve your product offerings, and increase market penetration.

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of like-minded founders, potential investors, and strategic partners who are focused on the outdoor recreation sector. Our events and workshops are great opportunities to expand your professional network and find collaborators who can help drive your business forward.

  • A Framework for Growth:  Learn Lean Startup Methodologies to better discover your customers needs, brainstorm new product ideas, and develop the business model to deliver those products.

ActivatOR Info Session Recording

  • Fast forward video to 5 minutes to start the presentation. Thank you! 

Download Info Slides Here

Register for Open Sprints:

2. Lean Startup
3. Customer Discovery
Apply for ActivatOR

What is the structure?

ActivatOR is a 14 week program designed to work with you while you work on your business. The curriculum features light workshops and plenty of one-on-one mentorship to customize the guidance for you.
 

Weeks 1 – 3 (June 24 – July 12):  Open Sprints

  • This short series of workshops will prepare you for growth mindset, discovering your customer, and organizing your business model into a one-page “lean canvas.”
  • Open to All:  Open Sprints are open to anyone as a way to get started, even if you only have an idea. This is an opportunity for you to learn about ActivatOR and decide if this right for you before you apply to ActivatOR. There is no obligation to apply for ActivatOR.
  • Registration is required, but not a full application. Full applications are required for the full Accelerator
  • Self-guided Curriculum and 3 Workshops
  • Workshops are 1-2 hours each and 1 per week
  • Virtual

Weeks 4 – 13 (July 15 – August 30):  Accelerator

  • Seminars and One-on-One Mentorship
  • See schedule for schedule and list of amazing presenters.

Week 14 (September 23 – 25):  Outdoor Economics Conference

  • Join us at the Outdoor Economics Conference at the Las Cruces Convention Center
  • ActivatOR Participants who attend at least 10 of 13 sessions will receive a free ticket.
  •  

SCHEDULE

June 6, 2024, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MT

Open Sprint: ActivatOR Info Session

This webinar is open to all.
What is the ActivatOR Outdoor Recreation Growth Accelerator?
Who is eligible?
What will I gain?
What to expect?
Who are the organizers?
Bring your questions to be answered.

>>WATCH THE RECORDING<<

June 6, 2024, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MT
June 27, 2024, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MT

Open Sprint: Lean Canvas 101

This webinar is open to all.

  • Core Principles of Lean Startup: Understand the fundamental concepts of the Lean Startup approach, including validated learning, build-measure-learn feedback loops, and minimum viable products (MVPs).
  • Lean Canvas Mastery: Learn how to effectively use the Lean Canvas tool to create a clear, concise, and actionable business plan that focuses on solving customer problems and identifying key metrics.

>>REGISTER<<

June 27, 2024, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MT
June 27, 2024 11:59 PM

ActivatOR Application Deadline

>>APPLY HERE<<

June 27, 2024 11:59 PM
July 8, 2024

ActivatOR Participants Announced

July 8, 2024
July 11, 2024, 11:30 AM MT - 1:00 PM MT

Open Sprint: Customer Discovery

This webinar is open to all.

  • Identifying Target Customers: Learn techniques to accurately identify and define your target customer segments, ensuring your product or service addresses the right market needs.
  • Conducting Effective Interviews: Gain practical skills for conducting insightful customer interviews, gathering valuable feedback, and validating assumptions about your customers’ problems and desires.
  • Iterative Testing and Refinement: Discover how to use the information gathered during customer discovery to iteratively test and refine your business model, reducing risk and increasing the likelihood of product-market fit.

>>REGISTER<<

July 11, 2024, 11:30 AM MT - 1:00 PM MT
July 15, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM MT

Week 4 - Seminar: State of the OR Industry

Major US trends, plus industries & companies to watch.

Presenter:  Chris Perkins, VP of Programs at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

July 15, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM MT
July 21 - 27, 2024

Week 5 - Mentorship

Schedule a meeting with your mentor. Mentors will be assigned.

July 21 - 27, 2024
August 1, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM MT

Week 6 - Seminar: Navigating the New Mexico Outdoor Business Landscape

The support systems that the State of New Mexico provides to outdoor recreation businesses.

Presenter:  Karina Armijo, Director of NM Outdoor Recreation Division

Presenter:  Max Gruner, Director of Albuquerque Economic Development

August 1, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM MT
Aug 4 - 10, 2024

Week 7 - Mentorship

Schedule a meeting with your mentor.

Aug 4 - 10, 2024
August 14, 2024, 10:00 - 11:00 AM MT

Week 8 - Seminar: Two Case Studies from the Gear and Apparel Sectors

Presenter:  Cassie Abel, Founder and CEO of Wild Rye Bike Apparel (B-Corp)

Presenter:  Annelise Loevlie, CEO, Icelantic Skis

August 14, 2024, 10:00 - 11:00 AM MT
Aug 18 - 24, 2024

Week 9 - Mentorship

Schedule a meeting with your mentor.

Aug 18 - 24, 2024
Aug 27, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM MT

Week 10 - Seminar: Managing for Growth

How to plan for a sustainable future.

Presenter:  Ben Strozier, Associate Fund Manager, Ingenuity Venture Fund

Presenter:  Cary Tatro, Bicycle, Eyewear, Action Sports Industry Leader

Aug 27, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 PM MT
Sept 4, 2:00 - 3:00 PM MT

Week 11 - Seminar: Perfecting the Pitch

Storytelling & marketing for the outdoor world.

Presenter:  Katie DeLorenzo, Western Field Director, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Presenter:   Luis Benitez, Chief Impact Officer, Trust for Public Lands

Presenter:  Ben Strozier, Associate Fund Manager, Ingenuity Venture Fund

Sept 4, 2:00 - 3:00 PM MT
Sept 1 - 7, 2024

Week 12 - Mentorship

Schedule a meeting with your mentor.

Sept 1 - 7, 2024
Sept 8 - 14, 2024

Week 13 - Mentorship

Schedule a meeting with your mentor.

Sept 8 - 14, 2024
Sept 23 - 25, 2024

Outdoor Economics Conference

Las Cruces Convention Center, NM

ActivatOR Participants will receive a free ticket to the NM Outdoor Economics Conference if they attend at least 10 of the 13 workshops or mentorship sessions

>>Learn More<<

Sept 23 - 25, 2024

Adventure Pitch

ActivatOR is a fantastic program to prepare to apply for Adventure Pitch!

Adventure Pitch awards $15,000 in cash prizes to the best live, on-stage pitches at the 2024 New Mexico Outdoor Economics Conference September 23-25.
  • ActivatOR and Adventure Pitch are separate.
  • Participants in ActivatOR are not required to apply for Adventure Pitch.
  • Participation in ActivatOR does not guarantee acceptance into Adventure Pitch.
  • Participation in ActivatOR is not required for eligibility to compete in Adventure Pitch.

Register for Open Sprints:

1. Intro to ActivatOR
2. Lean Startup
3. Customer Discovery
Apply for ActivatOR

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