Aug 25, 2024
At Walden, we believe simple products and services, like a trickle of water over time, can significantly transform the outdoor business landscape. Every product, report, and service we develop is an opportunity to innovate. Our mission is to make the business of the outdoors profitable in order to preserve the wilderness, because in the wilderness is the preservation of the world. To do this Walden must push itself and the industry at large to rethink how we approach the outdoors, business and innovation itself.
Innovation from an Outdoor Perspective
In the context of the outdoors, the outdoors is inherently valuable in its natural state, and our focus is to maintain that beauty for future generations. The actual act of innovation seems to almost stand hypocritically against the reason we intuitively strive to get outdoors. We want to escape and be grounded by pure nature - and we support that. Walden is not here to change the outdoors, its to change how businesses who support, integrate and conserve it make business decisions.
Innovation for us means providing businesses with the insights and tools they need to operate within this landscape —balancing innovation with the need to preserve the outdoors—is at the heart of Walden’s mission. Sustainability at Walden goes beyond protecting nature. It encompasses preserving the businesses, organizations, and technologies that enable outdoor experiences. We recognize that the future of the outdoors depends on the health of the businesses that rely on it. By helping these entities thrive in a way that respects the environment, we contribute to both the economic sustainability of the outdoor industry and the long-term preservation of the natural landscapes that are central to its success.
Filling Market Gaps with Innovative Solutions
Walden’s products and insights are designed to address unmet needs in the outdoor sector. We don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach, nor do we operate under a rigid business mission that could skew findings or results to fit a larger business goal. Instead, we develop flexible, unbiased solutions that serve businesses large and small. We look at the outdoor industry across verticals and understand that like the consumers they wish to serve, they make up an intricate ecosystem of connections. We are here to simplify those connections.
Our work not only looks to fill gaps, but find them. Not only for ourselves but for the sectors themselves. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could just hand you where your campground idea fits in the market? What customer fits it? And the locations you should be looking at to acquire? That’s filling in the gaps.
Showcasing Innovators and First-Movers
As part of our commitment to innovation, we actively map and spotlight both advancements and gaps across the outdoor industry. By highlighting those who are developing new products, conservation techniques, or sustainable manufacturing processes, we promote solutions that align with our vision of a balanced and sustainable future. Our vertical-specific reports and broader innovation analyses serve to shine a light on these first-movers, ensuring the outdoor community remains informed and connected.
This approach is vital because it:
Increases awareness of groundbreaking products and solutions.
Generates opportunities for businesses to partner or access innovations more rapidly.
Alerts companies to emerging competition, enabling them to respond more effectively.
Encourages the entire industry to pivot when innovative ideas succeed, driving broader progress toward sustainability and growth.
The Walden Trailblazer Program
The Walden Trailblazer Program is designed to identify and support innovative startups within the outdoor industry. As an industry mentor, Walden plays a pivotal role in guiding these emerging companies by offering insights and expertise across key areas such as data harmonization, strategic partnerships, and advisory services.
Through the program, we work with startups to help them align their innovations with industry needs, ensuring their solutions not only thrive but contribute to a more sustainable future. By fostering connections between these startups and established players in the industry, we facilitate strategic partnerships that accelerate growth and impact for the industry at large.
Walden’s role as a mentor also involves leveraging our vast data resources to help these companies refine their strategies and make informed decisions. This mentorship ensures that the next generation of outdoor innovators has the tools and support they need to succeed, all while advancing the outdoor industry toward a more sustainable and innovative future.
