News
HOLO Footwear Reveals New Running Pack with Three Sneaker Styles
Holo Footwear, a rising innovator in the outdoor recreation and performance footwear space, is expanding with a new Running Pack launching in spring 2026, featuring three styles, including trail-ready updates to its Artemis line and a max-cushion Rebel Runner. The collection pairs performance tech like recycled Honest Foam Elite+ cushioning with accessible pricing. Built for trail-to-street versatility, the Running Pack aligns with the brand’s push to bring technical design and sustainability into what’s next for outdoor running.
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Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund Ranks #5 for Michigan's Venture Capital Deal Count
A recent analysis highlighted by Crain’s Detroit Business listed the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund as the #5 most active fund in Michigan by deal count. The ranking is a standout signal for a small, sector-focused fund, showing that outdoor recreation is a serious growth lane and that capital is reaching Michigan founders at a pace that competes with larger, long-established players.
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Pangoo Apparel Continues to Scale Quickly
From the climbing walls of DYNO Detroit to the main stage at Michigan Tech Week, Sara Chen’s Pangoo Apparel is reaching new heights! Today, Pangoo is scaling quickly with a successful Kickstarter campaign, national recognition from REI’s Path Ahead Ventures, and backing from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund.
Built around comfort, inclusivity, and deep pockets (literally), Pangoo is solving real problems for women in outdoor spaces and building a brand that reflects the diversity of today’s outdoor community.
We’re proud to support Pangoo through the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund as it grows from a Detroit startup into a national outdoor lifestyle brand.
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SwimSmart - GLOS Partnership Announced
SwimSmart, a Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund portfolio company, has announced a new 2-year partnership with the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), supported by NOAA BIL funding, totaling about $250,000.
They’ll advance the Great Lakes Coastal Warning System by integrating SwimSmart’s electronic beach warning infrastructure with GLOS data platforms, including Seagull. The work includes deploying next-generation weather observation sensors on SwimSmart rescue stations and warning signs at key sites across the Great Lakes.
The partnership helps reduce preventable drowning risk and supports safer, more prepared shoreline communities.
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HOLO Footwear Launches the Rebel Runner
Holo Footwear, has launched its first-ever running shoe: the Rebel Runner. Designed in collaboration with London-based Locol Design and Source, the shoe delivers performance, comfort, and unmistakable HOLO style.
From basketball courts to the running trail, this Michigan-grown brand continues to build a name in athletic footwear, with DICK’S Sporting Goods, collegiate athletes, and pro teams already on board.
HOLO continues to expand its reach in outdoor and athletic footwear, staying true to its vision of making great gear that looks as good as it performs.
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Electric Outdoors Among PitchMI Winners Statewide
PitchMI awarded $1.7M to some of the state’s most promising startups, and Electric Outdoors, a Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund portfolio company, took home top honors in the cleantech and outdoor innovation category. This earned them a $250,000 investment to scale its off-grid EV camping platform, EO Canopy, a tech-powered camping solution bringing clean water, EV charging, and satellite internet to remote destinations. We’re proud to support bold founders like Josef Hjelmaker, and to see another Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund-backed company shaping the future of Michigan’s $14B outdoor recreation economy.
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Three Fund Startups Featured in Financial Times Mini-Documentary on U.S. Manufacturing
A new Financial Times Film explores tariffs, tech, and the future of American manufacturing, and features several Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund portfolio companies. Bloom Industries, Electric Outdoors, and Civilized Cycles each play a role in sharing how Michigan startups are navigating policy shifts while driving innovation in the outdoor economy.
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Civilized Cycles Secures $100,000 from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund
The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund is proud to welcome Civilized Cycles to our portfolio, a startup driving forward innovation in the outdoor mobility space.
They are reimagining sustainable urban transportation with their electric cargo Semi-Trike, a solution for last-mile delivery, campground operations, eco-tourism, and more. The $100,000 investment will help scale operations, support trial unit production, and expand customer outreach. With proven collaborations - including work with fellow portfolio company Grounded - Civilized Cycles is paving the way for cleaner, more accessible mobility in outdoor spaces and beyond.
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Pangoo Launches in Detroit
When Pangoo Apparel founder Sara Chen started climbing in Detroit, she didn’t see herself reflected in the outdoor industry. Now, she’s changing that. With a vision to make outdoor spaces more inclusive, she designed women’s climbing pants that fit, function, and perform.
After raising over $175,000 in just one month and selling 1,200 pre-orders, it’s clear that Pangoo is meeting a need that has long been ignored. Chen’s innovative approach has also earned Pangoo a $50,000 investment from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund through her first-place finish in the Michigan Tech Week outdoor innovation competition, a coveted spot in the BasBlue Zero-to-One fellowship, and a growing customer base. With early success and strong market demand, Pangoo is positioned for big things ahead.
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The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund Announces Five New Portfolio Additions
The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund is proud to announce five new portfolio additions - Student Athlete Score, Inc., Hercules Electric Mobility, Electric Outdoors, KUHMUTE ⚡, and LIVAQ - in the second round of pre-seed funding awards.
Together, these companies are pushing the boundaries and creating breakthroughs in outdoor recreation with technologies that span from e-mobility charging solutions to sustainable camping technologies and electric off-road vehicles, playing a pivotal role in the growth and sustainability of Michigan and beyond.
Although the Fund has already deployed nearly $1 million, it has significant resources remaining to ensure that the Fund capitalizes on creating new opportunities and building momentum for Michigan’s outdoor economy.
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InvestUP’s First Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund Recipient Secures $3.5M in Follow-On Funding
The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, powered by InvestUP, made its first-ever investment into Grounded RV’s, a Michigan-based electric RV company back in April 2024 as part of a Pre-Seed funding round to help the Company fulfill its first orders. Since then, the Company has been able to generate close triple revenue and recently closed on a $3.5M Seed round led by The 81 Collective, a Chicago-based hardware VC. Funds for this round will allow the company to double its staff from 10 FTE’s to 20 and enable the Company to scale sales and manufacturing.
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Electric Outdoors is Charging Ahead!
Michigan-based startup Electric Outdoors recently closed an initial $1.3M seed round, bringing their game-changing off-grid glamping platform, the EO Canopy, one step closer to market.
With pilot units already launched in the U.P., EO Canopy combines sustainability and luxury for an unparalleled outdoor experience, including everything from energy and water to satellite internet and EV charging - entirely off-grid.
The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund (powered by InvestUP), alongside Veolectra Inc and Michigan Rise, is proud to support this mission to revolutionize outdoor recreation by empowering landowners and adventurers alike.
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Building the Future and Creating Real-World Solutions, One Electric ATV at a Time
That’s what LIVAQ, an exciting startup backed by the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, is doing by transforming the electric all-terrain vehicle industry and bringing cutting-edge design to our region with their EQUAD.
Visionary entrepreneur, David Medina Álvarez, is making a lasting sustainable impact in the mobility sector with his futuristic ATVs that are also eco-friendly and accessible.
We are proud to support innovative companies like LIVAQ, who are driving the future of mobility in Michigan and beyond.
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Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund Announces First Round of Investments in Exciting New Outdoor Innovations
Marquette, Mich., July 24, 2024 – The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund is excited to announce its first round of investments
InvestUP Announces Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, a $3 Million Pre-Seed Fund to Invest in Outdoor Recreation Startup Companies
Marquette, Mich., April 2, 2024 – InvestUP and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced the creation of the