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

Cohort #5 Timeline

    • The 5th Cohort of the Waypoint Accelerator program will be announced and the application window will open August 28, 2023
    • Applications will be due on October 12 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 20 by 5:00 p.m.
    • The Session Dates and Program Schedule are as follows:
      • Thursday November 2, 1pm-5pm: Base Camp – Course Orientation & Wayfinding (IN-PERSON, Asheville. Attendance is MANDATORY.)
      • Thursday, November 2, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Kick-off Celebration at WNC Outdoor Collective in Black Mountain – REGISTER HERE
      • Thursday November 9, 9:30am-12pm: Customer Development & The Outdoor Customer (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday November 16, 9:30am-12pm: Design Thinking (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday November 30, 9:30am-12pm: Go-to-Market Strategy and Tools Pt. 1 (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday December 7, 9:30am-12pm: Go-to-Market Strategy and Tools Pt. 2 (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday December 14, 9:30am-12pm: Financial Modeling (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday January 11, 1pm-5pm: Base Camp – Outdoor Customer Engagement & The Art of the Pitch (IN-PERSON, Asheville)
      • Thursday January 18, 9:30am-12pm: Legal – Intellectual Property, Risk Management & HR (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday January 25, 9:30am-12pm: Raising Capital for Growth – Pathways & Strategy (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday February 01, 9:30am-12pm: Group Pitch Prep & Final Mastermind (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday February 15, 9:30am-12pm: Leadership and the Responsible Outdoor Company (VIRTUAL)
      • Thursday February 29, 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

Application Now Open

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.