Mountain BizWorks, the Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC, and the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) are excited to support the fourth Waypoint Accelerator cohort.

Cohort #4 Timeline

  • The 4th Cohort of the Waypoint Accelerator program will be announced and the application window will open mid July 2022
  • Applications will be due on October 06 at 11:59 p.m. Up to 10 companies will be selected based on a competitive, merit-based review process.
  • Companies selected will be notified October 14 at 5:00 p.m.
  • The Session Dates and Program Schedule are as follows:
    • Thursday November 3, 1pm-5pm: Base Camp – Course Orientation & Wayfinding (IN-PERSON, Asheville)
    • Thursday November 10, 9:30am-12pm: Customer Development & The Outdoor Customer (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday November 17, 9:30am-12pm: Design Thinking (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday December 1, 9:30am-12pm: Go-to-Market Strategy and Tools Pt. 1 (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday December 8, 9:30am-12pm: Go-to-Market Strategy and Tools Pt. 2 (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday December 15, 9:30am-12pm: Financial Modeling (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday January 12, 1pm-5pm: Base Camp – Outdoor Customer Engagement & The Art of the Pitch (IN-PERSON, Asheville)
    • Thursday January 19, 9:30am-12pm: Legal – Intellectual Property, Risk Management & HR (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday January 26, 9:30am-12pm: Raising Capital for Growth – Pathways & Strategy (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday February 02, 9:30am-12pm: Group Pitch Prep & Final Mastermind (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday February 16, 9:30am-12pm: Leadership and the Responsible Outdoor Company (VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday March 02, 1-5pm: Base Camp- Large Group Pitch Practice (IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL)
    • Thursday March 7, 4pm-8pm: Graduation- Final Pitch Presentations (IN-PERSON, Asheville)

All applicants are asked to hold the above session dates and times on their calendars and, if accepted, are expected to commit to the entire duration of the program.

Join Cohort 5

Apply Here

Meet the Waypoint Facilitator

Matt Godfrey

Matt Godfrey is an advocate and leader in our outdoor business community, serving as the Outdoor Entrepreneur in Residence for Mountain Bizworks, supporting their outdoor business education and cohort-based programs. He is the lead facilitator for the Waypoint Accelerator, the first outdoor entrepreneurship and innovation accelerator program east of the Rockies that he helped develop and launch in 2019.

Matt is also the Executive Director for the Outdoor Business Alliance (OBA), an outdoor business association made up of more than 100 businesses and organizations representing the entire outdoor industry in Western North Carolina. He currently serves on the advisory boards for the MADE X MTNS Partnership and Old Fort Outdoors For All.

A coach, connector, partner, educator, leader, and facilitator of impactful ideas with a broad range of experience in sales, marketing, finance, operations, leadership, and organizational development. Matt believes collaboration leads to innovation and positive impact within our businesses and communities.

Questions?

Please contact Holly Rivers with any questions at Holly@mountainbizworks.org. Additional program information can be found on the main Waypoint Accelerator page.