Our team of judges, made up of seasoned investors and successful entrepreneurs, will select five finalists. Finalists will be announced in April and present at Outside Ignite on May 29 in Denver, as part of the Outside Summit.* At Outside Ignite, you’ll have the chance to network with venture capitalists, investors, and successful entrepreneurs, plus get invaluable facetime and feedback with our esteemed judges.

Out of the five finalists who present at Outside Ignite, our judges will select one First Place Prize Winner. Winner will be announced at the Outside Summit on May 30 and receive a $100,000 value prize in combined cash and advertising across the Outside Network, the world’s leading network of outdoor brands, utilities, and experiences with a global audience of more than 250 million. In addition, one Runner Up will be selected to receive $50,000 in advertising value.

Outside Ignite attendees will vote live throughout the day on May 29 for one People’s Choice Award winner, sponsored by REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures. This winner will also be announced at the Outside Summit on May 30 and receive a combined cash and advertising prize.

Before presenting at Outside Ignite, all finalists will have the opportunity to receive a pitch coaching session with an expert in the REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures network, a team with a deep expertise across merchandising, operations, sustainability, and all things entrepreneurship.