Creating a path for change in the outdoor industry.
The outdoors are for everyone, but entrepreneurs of color represent just an estimated 1% of the outdoor industry. REI Co-op set out to change things, launching an accelerator program to provide meaningful access and resources to founders of color.
Naming
Brand
Marketing
Event
Elevating the founder, channeling the co-op.
The program identity was made to fit seamlessly within the larger REI Co-op environment while setting itself apart. Pairing the hand-touched wordmark with a subset of the REI color palette, we established a feeling of warmth and welcome, clarity and connection.
An outdoor marketplace for inclusive brands.
Founders of color face unique challenges, entering an industry that’s only just starting to welcome BIPOC innovation. Tasked with creating space for discovery, we extended the Path Ahead Ventures brand to Founders Market, an annual shopping event at REI.
