Selected participants include whitewater kayaking paddle maker ARCA Works LLC; Blue Ridge Elder Adventures, which provides nature-based adventures for older people; Boone-area fly fishing guide service High Country Guide Service and Chosen River Outfitters LLC; Marion-based headwear company Lucky Crow Hat Company; mountain bike instructor MTB Skills Factory; public speaker, author and extreme athlete Peter Ripmaster; whitewater stand up paddling board company Riverskate; and Boone-based backpacking guide service Silva & Soma.

Since 2019, the Waypoint Accelerator Program has helped nearly 40 participating companies grow and diversify their revenues, expand their teams, accomplish game-changing projects and realize big dreams. The companies that comprise Waypoint’s 5th Cohort were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants.

“The quality and momentum of this 5th cohort of early-stage outdoor companies indicates that WNC remains the Outdoor Industry Capital of the East, and a prime place to start and grow an outdoor business,” says Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC Executive Director and Waypoint Accelerator Facilitator Matt Godfrey. “A strong culture of collaboration, mentorship and partnership will help these entrepreneurs thrive and forge their best path to healthy growth.”

The Waypoint Accelerator program is powered by a collaboration that includes the MADE X MTNS Partnership, NC SBTDC and Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC. Learn more at waypointaccelerator.com.