Bend Outdoor Worx has chosen two companies that will participate in the second session of its outdoor industry accelerator: Slackline Technology, a slackline hardware rigging company; and the Robert Axle Project, an axle adapter for bike trailers and trainers.

BOW was launched last year, and its inaugural class included Homeschool Technical Apparel, a technical outdoor apparel company, Cairn, a monthly subscription box service for outdoor enthusiasts and Free Range Backpacks, technical, light-weight backpacks for backcountry/multi-sport athletes. All three companies were chosen to participate in last year’s annual Bend Venture Conference. Cairn and Free Range Backpacks are both based here, while Homeschool is out of Portland.

From the BOW news release:

At the core of the program is the mentorship from BOW’s industry founders in areas where developing companies may be lacking. Through a process of discovery meetings, analyzation and curriculum building, BOW determines company needs and provides guidance from the founders and extended mentor group. The incubator then supports these companies by aligning them with additional resources needed to succeed, including legal assistance, financial planning, marketing, logistics, sales, marketing, and product development.

BOW was conceived by Gary Bracelin, a long-time Bend resident and outdoor industry expert. He’s joined by Eric Meade, Rick Fredland, Justin Rae, Will Blount and Howard Allred. The six founders represent various skill sets and a multitude of experience with successful organizations.

Here’s more on their newest startups:

Slackline Technology

Redmond-based Slackline Technology was born in the Bivouac Campground at Smith Rock State Park in May 2013. Founder Jason Fautz, along with friends and athletes, was constantly frustrated with equipment available for longline and highline rigging, so began manufacturing slackline specific hardware while diving deeper into safe rigging practices. The company has incorporated many of the ideas used by climbers/climbing gear manufacturers (light, strong, specific yet versatile) to create two unique slackline-specific products with many more on the back burner. To learn more about the business, visit slacklinetechnology.com.

Robert Axle Project

Born out of a passion for bikes and the need for a necessary solution to a bike compatibility problem, the Robert Axle Project makes your bike functional. The authority on attaching bike trailers and trainers to 12mm rear thru-axle equipped bikes, Robert Axle Project fits your specific bike frame and allows you to take your mountain bike on more adventures. To learn more, visit robertaxleproject.com or check out Robert Axle Project on Facebook.

 

Kelly Kearsley

Kelly Kearsley

Kelly Kearsley, the co-founder of StartupBend.com, is passionate about startups, entrepreneurship and Bend. In addition to writing this blog, she creates content and manages content projects for global financial companies, tech firms and startups. She began her career as a newspaper journalist and later worked as a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in WSJ.com, Money Magazine, CNNMoney, MSNBC and Runner's World. See her work at kellykearsley.contently.com or kellykearsley.com.

You can reach Kelly by email at [email protected].
Kelly Kearsley

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