Supporting Founders of Color in the Outdoor Recreation Industry - Dan Kihanya of Path Ahead Ventures from REI

Welcome to the 200th episode of the Channel Mastery podcast.  Today’s guest is Dan Kihanya, Director of Corporate Development and Investment with REI. Dan is also the creator and host of Founders Unfound, a podcast that profiles tech startup founders from underrepresented backgrounds. He is an experienced serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in the start-up ecosystem - including founder, early executive, investor, and advisor.

In this episode, you’ll hear about Dan’s role with Path Ahead Ventures - offering full-spectrum support to startups owned and led by Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander people. Dan and Kristin chat about the route that guided Dan to REI and the founding of Path Ahead Ventures, the three staples of the program: resourcing, planning, and capital, and the Embark and Navigate Programs. 

The Channel Mastery podcast is brought to you by Verde Brand Communications, a consumer-centric brand strategy, and communication agency serving the outdoor recreation industry.  Your host is Kristin Carpenter, Chief Strategy Officer, Founder, and Chair at Verde Brand Communications. Channel Mastery is sponsored by our partner Life Time, Inc., owner of the Sea Otter Classic and producer of the Sea Otter Classic Summit outdoor recreation executive gathering.

Discussion points:

• Dan’s background and path to his current position
• REI’s co-op and brand values resonated strongly with Dan
• The vision for Path Ahead Ventures (PAV) and REI - ‘founders first’
• Two new 2022 programs for founders - Embark and Navigate 
• Bridging the gap - how REI and PAV can support new founders
• New and different perspectives lead to innovation and inclusiveness
• ‘Outdoor’ vs. ‘Outside’
• Dan’s transition from tech/digital services to physical products/retail
• Tapping into REI’s vast resources to help founders
• Demo Day/Pitch Day for Navigate founders - the first ever “Founders Market” in Seattle
• Reaching typically underrepresented founders - building a network
• REI stores as a bridge to the community
• Sign up online to keep up with all Path Ahead Ventures - the outdoors are for everyone!

Resources:

Embark Program

Navigate Program

Path Ahead Ventures

Dan Kihanya on LinkedIn

Founders Unfound Podcast

Sea Otter Classic Summit, April 2023

Kristin Carpenter on LinkedIn

Verde Brand Communications