Businesses in the outdoor recreation industry can apply by Sept. 30 to pitch their company services or products at the 2025 Adventure Pitch Fest. The event offers $15,000 in cash prizes split among three pitch fest winners.
Formerly part of the Outdoor Economics Conference, Adventure Pitch Fest is a standalone, high-energy event that spotlights outdoor businesses of all sizes. Participating businesses showcase their products and services to investors, industry leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The event, which celebrates New Mexico’s $3.2 billion outdoor recreation economy, takes place in Albuquerque on Thursday, November 6. Attendees can explore product demonstrations, meet the entrepreneurs behind the brands, and enjoy outdoor-themed activities. The event is free and offers attendees the chance to discover and support outdoor recreation businesses from across New Mexico. Companies selected for pitching will be announced on the Pitch Fest webpage prior to the event.
Adventure Pitch Fest is hosted by the New Mexico Economic Development Department‘s Outdoor Recreation Division in partnership with ActivateNM. Businesses that are accepted as pitch battle finalists will receive free coaching from ActivateNM to help them prepare to take the stage. ActivateNM, part of CNM Ingenuity, is an ongoing program that offers entrepreneurs personalized guidance, community, support, and events designed to epand businesses.
Pitch Fest applicants should be New Mexico-based for-profit businesses with a core offering related to outdoor recreation, including products and services that promote health, wellness, or environmental stewardship. They must demonstrate potential for growth, community benefit, and/or environmental stewardship. Independent gear designers and manufacturers, guides and outfitters, bike and gear shops, and outdoor tech innovators are just some of the businesses invited to apply.
Past winners include the hand sanitizer company Bee Clean Spot, software developer Rezo Systems, and ORC Tech, which makes a portable, lightweight device to boost incoming signals that can be used in the backcountry. Other winners have included designers of outdoor clothing, trailers, and wilderness medicine training.
Apply by September 30, 2025, to pitch at the event that takes place on November 6, 2025. Get more information from ActivateNM.