Camber Outdoors, the active-outdoor industries organization focused on equality for all women in the outdoors, opened applications for its third Annual Pitchfest.

The event, which will be held on July 25 in Salt Lake City prior to Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, gives women entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their business to influential CEOs and influencers in the active-outdoor industries. The deadline to apply is April 19 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

“Entrepreneurs know that the ability to articulate a sound business strategy is imperative to any business’ success,” said Deanne Buck, executive director of Camber Outdoors. “Through The REI Foundation’s Mary Anderson Legacy Grant, Pitchfest gives female entrepreneurs the visibility and platform to bring their fresh thinking, innovative ideas, and passion for the outdoors to market.”

Each finalist is paired with a mentor who will advise them on articulating the issues most critical to their business’ growth. They will then live pitch their business to the judging panel to gain insight, visibility and valuable feedback.

Women-led businesses that believe in Camber Outdoors’ guiding principles, are committed to business growth and are focused on the outdoor industries are encouraged to apply.

Finalists will be selected based on the following:

  • Company Traction: Able to demonstrate revenue and market traction
  • Ownership/Leadership: Business must be founded or co-founded by a woman and at least 1/3 women-owned
  • Industry Focus: Business focus must directly relate to or contribute to the active-outdoor industries
  • Availability: Applicants must pitch their business in person on July 25 in Salt Lake City

“The most valuable thing I got from Pitchfest was a dose of confidence and a sense of validation,” said Maria Boustead, who pitched her business, Pocampo, at Pitchfest 2016. “Working with my mentor to put together my pitch brought me a lot of clarity around my successes and my challenges going forward. Being able to present my business and my vision to a panel (and room) of industry executives and have them applaud me for being on to something and encouraging me to think bigger really gave me a good boost. Now, when I look back over the my company’s history, I look at things through the lens of pre-Pitchfest vs. post-Pitchfest.”

Pitchfest was launched in 2015 as the cornerstone of Camber Outdoors’ programming to support and accelerate women’s leadership and participation in the outdoors. Since then, 19 women have live pitched their business plans to a distinguished panel of active-outdoor industries executives and a room full of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. The mentoring and feedback they’ve received have helped Pitchfest participants increase their business sustainability and growth.

For more information or to apply for Pitchfest 2017, visit camberoutdoors.org/pitchfest.