Wildwood Ventures Launches as the First Venture Studio Focused on Outdoor and Wellness Industries, Backed by VF Corporation

May 10, 2023 – Denver, Colo. – Wildwood Ventures, a venture studio and early stage investor at the intersection of the outdoor and wellness economies, announces its launch. The new company will focus on building and investing in consumer technology companies that make lives better. 

Wildwood aims to partner with dynamic entrepreneurs and industry pioneers who are passionate about creating meaningful solutions to the societal problems of sedentary living, addiction, loneliness, and burnout.  Wildwood aims to disrupt a $1 trillion U.S. outdoor and wellness market through new consumer businesses that deliver valuable human solutions to these important problems.

The organization leverages a unique venture studio model that allows it to both build and invest. Wildwood’s early-stage partnerships with start-ups provide hands-on skills in consumer insights, technology, and marketing to understand early product-market fit. The structure then allows for follow-on investments as start-ups build traction.  

Wildwood is backed by VF Corporation, a global leader in the market for outdoor and active lifestyles, whose portfolio includes marquee brands such as Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Dickies, Supreme, Altra, Smartwool, and Icebreaker.

Wildwood launches with three early stage companies, including Out & Back, Kinsa Active, and Roots.  The studio’s advisory board includes industry experts with experience in venture, startups, technology, and the outdoor and active lifestyles industry, including CEOs, investors, builders, founders, and even an Olympic Gold Medalist.

“Wildwood Ventures is thrilled to launch as the first venture studio focused on the outdoor and wellness industries,” said David Wagner, Founder and Managing Partner. “Our team is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs who are striving to create meaningful change in people’s lives, and we are excited to partner with VF Corporation and its world-class portfolio of brands to make it happen.”

“The studio approach means we can be more hands-on with our portfolio companies. We can’t wait to build the next great generation of outdoor and wellness technology businesses with amazing entrepreneurs,” said Jesse Marble, Founder and Partner. “One of our core values is Create for People With Purpose. We’re building something unique in the venture space and are deeply grateful for VF’s meaningful commitment to this mission. As we say at Wildwood, we aim to help people live life to the full.” 

Life to the Full. 

Please visit www.wildwood.vc for more information. 

For Founders, to apply to work with Wildwood, go HERE. 

Press contact: Josh Steinfeld

steinfeldconsulting@gmail.com – 339.225.1581