REI Path Ahead Ventures has announced a new cohort of founders, including four Black-owned businesses, for its accelerator program, Navigate.

The Black-led founders of WhitePaws RunMitts, Varlo, and Tough Cutie, will receive $25,000 for participating in the program. Moreover, Navigate includes in-person and online learning over 20 weeks that features curated programming, mentorship, and one-on-one strategic guidance with subject matter experts.

“Through our Navigate program, we are able to leverage the co-op and broader industry’s expertise in production, distribution and marketing to help founders take their businesses to the next level,” Susan Viscon, REI vice president and director of Path Ahead Ventures, said in a statement. “We’re inspired by the founders selected for this year’s cohort and look forward to partnering with them throughout the program and beyond.”

See the full list of participants here.

The program will culminate with a founder's market pop-up shop at REI’s Seattle flagship store on Oct. 14, where they can share their stories and test their products with customers while driving sales.

Navigate is part of Path Ahead Ventures’ multi-year $30 million commitment to partner with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander founders as they start and scale their businesses in the outdoor industry.

Path Ahead Ventures also provides direct equity investment and dedicated support for founders through its investment fund. According to a statement, in 2022, the firm partnered with 39 entrepreneurs, provided $370,000 in grants, and invested $2.3 million in 11 companies.

Susan Clayton — WhitePaws RunMitts

WhitePaws RunMitts specializes in patented, convertible, thumbless mittens invented for runners, walkers, and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Founded by Susan Clayton, the mittens are designed to accommodate fluctuating temperatures, as they can be worn all on, flipped to cool down, or pushed down the arm to completely cool off.

Soj Jibowu, Ed Chang, Jacob Brown — Varlo

Varlo designs and manufactures best-in-class performance cycling, running, and multi-sport apparel to lower barriers and empower the will of every athlete to conquer the goals of tomorrow. Varlo is the creator of the industry's first multi-sport hijab and full coverage retail apparel collection that Muslim women can comfortably wear to cycle, run, or swim.

Brittany Coleman — Tough Cutie

Tough Cutie makes high quality women's merino wool hiking socks, designed to be better fitting, more supportive, and more durable to help active women hike longer and avoid blisters.